How to Add an MX Record at Popular Domain Registrars
Exact DNS fields and menu locations for adding an MX record on Cloudflare, Namecheap, GoDaddy, Porkbun, Hostinger, and other domain registrars.
Routing incoming email for a domain requires adding a Mail Exchange (`MX`) record in your domain's DNS zone. Regardless of where you registered the domain, an MX record always uses the same four fields.
The Four Standard MX Record Values
| DNS Field | Typical Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Type | MX | Mail Exchange record |
| Name / Host | @ | Use @ for the root domain (or sub for sub.yourdomain.com) |
| Mail Server / Target | Mail host shown in Add Domain modal | Enter the exact mail hostname without http:// |
| Priority | 10 | Lower numbers have higher priority (10 is standard) |
Where to Find the DNS Panel at Major Registrars
- Cloudflare: Select your domain → click DNS → Records → click Add record, choose
MX, set Name to@, enter the mail server target, and set Priority to10. (MX targets are never orange-cloud proxied.) - Namecheap: Go to Domain List → click Manage next to your domain → open the Advanced DNS tab → scroll to Mail Settings, choose Custom MX, and save.
- Porkbun: Open Domain Management → click DNS beneath your domain → choose
MXunder Type, leave Host blank for root, enter the target server and priority10. - GoDaddy: Open My Products → select your domain → DNS → DNS Records → click Add New Record → select
MX. - Hostinger / Gandi / OVH: Look for DNS Zone Editor or DNS Records, remove any default parked MX entries, and add your single
MXrow.
Three Mistakes to Avoid
- Putting `mail` in the Host field by accident: That routes
@mail.yourdomain.cominstead of@yourdomain.com. - Leaving default registrar MX records enabled: Two different MX providers on the same domain split incoming emails unpredictably.
- Not waiting for TTL expiry: Give DNS resolvers a few minutes (or up to several hours if your previous TTL was high), then test your setup in our Disposable Email Domain Checker.
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