How It Works
Validate your SPF records in four simple steps
Enter Domain
Type the website URL or host domain name (e.g. gmail.com) to initiate lookup.
Query DNS TXT
Our server executes a real-time TXT lookup to locate the SPF record starting with v=spf1.
Count DNS Queries
We check if the record exceeds the RFC 10 DNS lookup limit to prevent validation errors.
Detailed Analysis
Receive warnings, errors, and a breakdown explaining each mechanism's rules.
Verify Your Domain's SPF Record
Enter your domain name below to fetch and analyze your Sender Policy Framework configurations.
Why Use Our SPF Record Checker?
The easiest and most thorough tool to diagnose your domain's Sender Policy Framework settings.
RFC 7208 Compliant Validation
Our checker parses and runs full validation criteria checks on your records according to email standard rules. Get clear notifications on layout syntax issues.
Lookup Query Limits Counter
We calculate the exact amount of external lookups your record triggers, helping you avoid exceeding the strict 10 DNS lookup limit that causes deliverability errors.
Instant Deliverability Diagnostics
Get detailed recommendations on configuring your default policy modifier (Hard Fail vs Soft Fail) to lock down email authentication without discarding valid mail.
Trusted by Sysadmins & SEO Engineers
What professionals are saying about our SPF lookup tool
"This tool immediately pointed out that we had 12 DNS lookups in our SPF record, which was causing half our outbound emails to go to spam. Collapsing the record saved our campaign."
Marcus Aurel
IT Administrator
"I love the detailed explanation of each mechanism (include, ip4, mx). It makes explaining email authentication to clients incredibly simple."
Laura Green
SEO Architect
"Simple interface, real-time DNS results, and precise warnings about deprecated ptr tags. This is now my go-to tool for DNS audits."
Steve Rogers
System Engineer
Latest Articles & Guides
Expert tips to master SPF validation and email deliverability
What is SPF? Email Authentication and Deliverability Explained
Learn what Sender Policy Framework (SPF) is, how it works with DNS TXT records, and why it is critical to keep your emails out of the spam folder.
How to Solve the SPF 10 DNS Lookup Limit Error
Understand the RFC 7208 restriction that limits SPF records to 10 DNS lookups, and learn practical strategies to flatten your records.
Hard Fail vs Soft Fail: Configuring the SPF ~all Modifier
Compare the differences between SPF Soft Fail (~all) and Hard Fail (-all) policy options, and learn which one is safer for your domain.
SPF Record Syntax: A Complete Guide to Mechanisms and Modifiers
Master SPF record syntax with detailed explanations of every mechanism (include, ip4, a, mx, exists) and modifier (redirect, exp).
Frequently Asked Questions
An SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record is a type of DNS TXT record that lists all authorized IP addresses and servers allowed to send email from your domain. This record helps mailboxes prevent spam spoofing.
If your SPF record triggers more than 10 nested DNS requests (from include, a, mx, redirect, or exists tags), receiving mail servers will stop validating it and report a PermError. When this occurs, email deliverability drops and your emails may be flagged as spam.
The tilde (~all) represents a Soft Fail policy, meaning emails from unauthorized servers are accepted but flagged. The hyphen (-all) represents a Hard Fail policy, which instructs receiving servers to completely reject unauthorized emails.
Log into your domain registrar's administration dashboard, navigate to DNS settings, and create a new TXT record. Set the Host/Name to '@' (or leave empty) and the value to your SPF record code block (starting with v=spf1).
No. According to standard specifications, a domain must have at most one SPF record. If you define multiple SPF records, email validators will reject all of them, rendering your domain vulnerable to spoofing. Instead, merge them into a single record.