MX lookup
See the mail servers of any domain in priority order, which provider runs them and whether the domain can receive mail. Type a domain or an email address. Free, with no sign-up.
Mail servers of lumen-advisory.example
This is an example for a made-up domain. Type your own domain above to check it.
DNS for this domain is managed at Cloudflare. Make the changes there.
MXMail for this domain goes to Microsoft 365 at lumen-advisory-example.mail.protection.outlook.com.Pass
MX records tell other mail servers where to deliver mail for your domain, including replies to your messages. The lowest number is tried first.
What we found
0 lumen-advisory-example.mail.protection.outlook.com
MX records tell other servers where to deliver mail for a domain.
Each MX record names a mail server and a priority number. Without MX records, mail to the domain bounces, and replies to messages sent from it cannot arrive.
A single MX record that points to “.” (a null MX) says on purpose that the domain accepts no mail.
The lowest priority number is tried first.
Sending servers try the record with the lowest number first and move to the next ones only when it does not answer. Records with the same number share the load.
The MX host name usually shows the mail provider.
- Google Workspace
- smtp.google.com, or aspmx.l.google.com with the backups alt1–alt4 on older setups.
- Microsoft 365
- A host whose name ends in mail.protection.outlook.com or mx.microsoft.
- Zoho Mail
- mx.zoho.com, mx.zoho.eu or another mx.zoho address, with the backups mx2 and mx3.
- A filtering service
- Some companies route their mail through a filtering service. The MX then names that service, not the mailbox provider.
An MX record shows that the domain receives mail, not that an address exists.
The lookup reads public DNS only. It does not contact the mail servers, so it cannot tell whether a single address exists or whether a mailbox is full.
Common questions about MX records
What does an MX lookup show?
A domain's mail servers in priority order, the mail provider when the host name shows it, and whether the domain can receive mail at all.
Why does a domain have several MX records?
For backup and load sharing. Sending servers try the lowest number first and use the others when it does not answer.
What if my domain has no MX record?
Mail to it bounces, and replies to your messages cannot arrive. Add the MX records that your email provider gives you.
Does a domain that only sends need MX records?
Yes, if you want replies. A sending domain without MX records cannot receive the answers, and some receivers distrust such domains.
How long does an MX change take?
From a few minutes up to the old record's time to live (TTL). Keep the old mailbox running until mail arrives at the new one.