Your email hosting is ready. Your domain is registered. You create a mailbox and send a test message, but it bounces back. The missing piece is almost always DNS. Without the right records, the internet does not know where to send mail for your domain.
DNS records for custom domain email are settings in your domain panel that route messages to your email hosting provider. They are not complicated once you know which ones to add. Here is the list and what each record does.
What DNS records do you need for custom domain email?
At minimum, you need MX records. These tell the internet which server handles incoming mail for your domain. Your email hosting provider gives you the exact values to enter.
Beyond MX records, authentication records help your messages reach inboxes instead of spam folders. Most providers recommend adding all of them during initial setup.
The essential DNS records explained
1. MX records
MX stands for Mail Exchange. These records point your domain to the server that receives incoming messages. You typically add two MX records with different priority values so mail has a backup route if the primary server is unavailable.
2. SPF record
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a TXT record that lists which servers are allowed to send mail on behalf of your domain. Receiving servers check this record to verify your messages are legitimate.
3. DKIM record
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to your outgoing messages. The receiving server verifies the signature against a public key stored in your DNS. This helps prove your messages were not altered in transit.
4. DMARC record
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) tells receiving servers what to do when SPF or DKIM checks fail. It also enables reporting so you can monitor unauthorized use of your domain.
How to add DNS records for email
Log into your domain registrar or DNS management panel. Your email hosting provider supplies the exact record types, hostnames, and values. Copy each value carefully and save. Changes can take a few hours to propagate.
After adding records, send a test message to confirm mail flows in both directions. If messages bounce or land in spam, recheck your MX and authentication records first. The chapter on connect email to your website domain walks through the connection process. For hosting context, read email hosting vs web hosting.
Frequently asked questions
Can I set up email DNS records myself?
Most providers give you copy-paste values that require no technical expertise. Log into your DNS panel, add the records, and wait for propagation. WEMASY guides you through DNS setup for domains connected in the website builder.
How long do DNS changes take to work?
Most changes propagate within a few hours. Some updates appear within minutes. Allow up to 24 hours before assuming something is wrong.
What happens if my MX records are wrong?
Messages sent to your domain will bounce or fail to deliver. Recipients may see an error saying the address could not be found. Fix the MX values and test again.
Do I need SPF, DKIM, and DMARC or just MX records?
MX records are required for mail to arrive. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are strongly recommended because they improve deliverability and protect your domain from spoofing.
Can web hosting DNS records conflict with email DNS records?
They can coexist on the same domain if configured correctly. The chapter on how to get email on your custom domain explains how web and mail records work together.
Does WEMASY provide the DNS values I need for email?
Your email provider supplies the MX and authentication records you need when connecting a domain for email, because WEMASY email hosting is coming soon. You add them in your DNS panel and verify the setup with your email provider.