Check and fix your domain’s SPF record with Mailmodo
If SPF-related warnings in your email reports have you scratching your head, the Mailmodo Free SPF (Sender Policy Framework) checker gives you instant answers.
Find issues fast, understand exactly what they mean, and fix them before your next send. After all, your well-designed emails deserve the inbox, not the spam folder.
How to use Mailmodo SPF record checker and lookup tool
Identify the domain you want to check. This could be your own domain or a client’s domain. A domain is the part of an email address after the @ symbol. For example, in alex@greenworld.com, the domain is greenworld.com.
Go to the Mailmodo SPF record checker and type the domain into the search box.
Click Check SPF to start the lookup. The tool will search for the domain’s SPF record and validate it.
How to create an SPF record for a domain?
To create an SPF record for your domain, follow these steps:
Step 1: Identify your sending sources
Make a list of all the mail servers and services that send email for your domain. This can include your own mail server, your web hosting provider, and third-party services like marketing platforms or CRM systems.
Step 2: Write the SPF record
An SPF record is a TXT record in your domain’s DNS. A basic format looks like this:
v=spf1 include:example.com ip4:192.0.2.1 -all
v=spf1 specifies the SPF version
include: adds other domains’ SPF rules if they send mail for you
ip4: lists allowed IPv4 addresses
-all tells receiving servers to reject email from unauthorized sources
Step 3: Add the SPF record to your DNS
Log in to your domain registrar or DNS hosting provider, locate the DNS management section, and create a new TXT record with your SPF string.
Step 4: Publish and test
Save your changes, wait for DNS propagation (which can take a few hours), and then use an SPF checker to confirm the record is valid and working.
Step 5: Maintain it
Update the record whenever you add or remove an email sending service to keep it accurate.
What are the common SPF record syntax errors?
Here are the most common SPF record syntax errors you might encounter:
Multiple SPF records: A domain should have only one SPF TXT record. If there are two or more, many email providers treat the SPF as invalid.
Exceeding the DNS lookup limit: SPF allows a maximum of 10 DNS lookups. Too many include:, redirect=, or a/mx mechanisms can break the record.
Missing required version tag: The record must start with v=spf1. Omitting this makes it invalid.
Improper use of qualifiers: Symbols like +, -, ~, and ? must be applied correctly to define pass, fail, soft fail, or neutral results.
Including nonexistent domains: If an include: statement points to a domain without an SPF record, it will fail.
Spaces or formatting issues: Extra spaces, tabs, or line breaks can cause the record to be misread.
Want to understand SPF in depth? Read our complete guide to SPF records and learn how to set them up correctly.
