MX Record
DNS record that specifies the mail server for a domain.
An MX record (Mail Exchange) specifies which mail servers receive email for a domain. When someone sends an email to example.com, DNS uses the MX record to determine where the message should be delivered.
Domains often have multiple MX records with different priorities so email can continue working if one mail server becomes unavailable.
The priority value is a number where lower values are tried first; secondary servers act as backup. MX targets must point to a hostname (not a raw IP address), which in turn must be resolved through an A or AAAA record. MX works closely with SPF, DKIM and DMARC, which are stored as TXT records and form the foundation of modern email authentication.
Puntos clave
- Specifies mail servers for a domain
- Used for email delivery
- Queried through DNS
- Can contain multiple priority levels
- Commonly used with SPF, DKIM and DMARC
- Lower priority numbers are tried before higher ones
- MX targets must be hostnames, never raw IP addresses