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How to check an SPF record: common errors
Learn how to look up an SPF record, understand its result, and fix common errors such as multiple records, unsafe policies, and too many DNS lookups.
By OmniReach··3 min read
An SPF record says which mail servers may send mail for a domain. It is one part of email authentication, alongside DKIM and DMARC. Checking it before a campaign helps you find structural problems before your first test email reaches a recipient.
Use the free SPF record checker to look up a published record, follow its includes, and count its DNS lookups.
Quick answer
To check an SPF record, enter the domain used in your From address, not only the website domain. Look for one published v=spf1 TXT record, confirm that it includes every sending provider you use, and make sure its DNS-querying mechanisms do not exceed 10.
A structurally valid record does not guarantee inbox placement. Recipient systems also consider DKIM, DMARC, domain reputation, message content, and the sending IP.
How to look up an SPF record
- Identify the domain in the email's envelope sender or From address. Your email provider may use a separate bounce domain, so check its setup instructions if the result looks unexpected.
- Run the domain through an SPF lookup tool.
- Read the complete
v=spf1value, including eachinclude,a,mx,redirect, and finalallpolicy. - Compare the mechanisms with the sending services you actually use. A record that omits one provider can cause its mail to fail SPF.
- Review the lookup count and warnings before changing DNS.
The errors worth fixing first
More than one SPF record
A domain must publish one SPF TXT record. Two separate records beginning with v=spf1 can result in a permanent error. If you send through several providers, combine their documented mechanisms into one record rather than publishing one record for each provider.
Too many DNS lookups
SPF has a limit of 10 DNS-querying terms during evaluation. include, a, mx, ptr, exists, and redirect can contribute to that total. Nested includes count too, which is why a short-looking record can still exceed the limit.
An incomplete provider include
Email providers usually publish the SPF mechanism they require. Copy it exactly, then verify it belongs in the same record as your other senders. Do not add an include because it appears in an unrelated example.
An unsafe final policy
The final all mechanism defines what happens when no earlier mechanism matches. +all authorizes every sender and should not be used for an outbound domain. The right policy depends on your setup, so confirm it against your provider documentation before publishing.
What an SPF lookup cannot tell you
An SPF lookup inspects DNS configuration. It does not test whether a particular message's sending IP and envelope sender will pass, nor can it show whether a recipient will place that message in the inbox.
For a complete deliverability check, review the message's actual authentication results after sending a test. Our email header analyzer reads the SPF, DKIM, and DMARC results that the receiving server reported.
After you fix SPF
SPF is strongest when it works with DKIM and DMARC. Publish the corrected record, allow DNS changes to take effect, send a test message, and inspect the receiving server's headers.
Frequently asked questions
Which domain should I check?
Start with the domain in the From address. If your provider uses a custom MAIL FROM or bounce domain, check that domain too.
Does a passing SPF record guarantee delivery?
No. SPF only evaluates one authentication layer. Delivery also depends on DKIM, DMARC, reputation, content, recipient policy, and message-specific factors.
Can I publish one SPF record for every provider?
No. Merge the provider mechanisms into a single v=spf1 record for the same domain.
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