DNS tool

MX Record Checker

Validate mail server propagation, hostnames and MX priorities worldwide.

Record type

What this check shows

MX records tell sending mail systems which servers accept email for a domain. Each record includes a hostname and a priority; lower numbers are normally attempted first.

A global comparison is useful after changing email providers, adding a backup mail exchanger or diagnosing why some senders still deliver to an old platform.

When to use it

  • Email provider migrations
  • Inbound mail delivery failures
  • Incorrect MX priorities
  • Removing obsolete mail servers

How to read the result

  • The MX target should be a hostname, not an IP address, and that hostname must resolve independently.
  • Different priority values are normal when a domain has primary and backup mail exchangers.
  • No MX answer does not always prevent delivery because some senders may fall back to the domain A record, but publishing explicit MX records is safer.

Questions

Does a lower MX number mean higher priority?

Yes. A sender normally attempts the lowest preference value first.

Can MX propagation affect only some senders?

Yes. Sending systems use different recursive resolvers, so cached MX answers can expire at different times.

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