Free SPF Checker Tool

SPFChecker

Enter any domain to check its SPF record. We validate the syntax, count DNS lookups, list authorized senders, and flag anything that could hurt your email deliverability.

What Your Results Mean

Understanding Your SPF Check Results

Here's what each result means and what to do next.

  • SPF Pass
  • SPF Warning
  • SPF Fail

SPF Pass

Your record is valid and well-configured.

A passing result means your SPF record exists, has valid syntax, and stays within the DNS lookup limit.

  • All syntax is correct
  • DNS lookups are within the 10-lookup limit
  • Authorized senders are listed
  • No duplicate or conflicting mechanisms

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SPF Warning

Your record works but has issues worth fixing.

A warning means your SPF record is technically valid but has issues that could cause problems down the road.

  • Approaching the 10-lookup limit
  • Deprecated mechanisms detected (e.g. ptr)
  • Overly permissive policy (+all)
  • Redundant or unnecessary includes

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SPF Fail

Your record has issues that need to be fixed.

A failing result means emails from your domain are at risk of being rejected or sent to spam.

  • No SPF record found
  • Syntax errors in mechanisms or qualifiers
  • Exceeded the 10 DNS lookup limit
  • Multiple SPF records on the same domain

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Common SPF Issues

Common SPF Problems and How to Fix Them

These are the SPF problems we see most often. If your check flagged any of these, here's what they mean and how to fix them.

Too Many DNS Lookups

SPF allows a maximum of 10 DNS lookups per evaluation.

  • Each include, a, mx, redirect, and exists counts as a lookup
  • Nested includes count toward your total
  • Fix: flatten your record or use IP addresses directly
Multiple SPF Records

The SPF spec requires exactly one SPF TXT record per domain.

  • Only one SPF TXT record is allowed per domain
  • Fix: merge into a single record
Softfail vs. Fail

Choosing the right policy. Your SPF record ends with a policy mechanism that tells receivers what to do with unauthorized senders.

  • ~all (softfail) — flag but don't reject
  • -all (fail) — reject unauthorized senders
  • ?all (neutral) — no opinion, weakest policy
Missing Sending Sources

Every service that sends email on your behalf needs to be authorized in your SPF record.

  • Third-party senders (Mailchimp, HubSpot, etc.) need to be included
  • Fix: audit all sending sources and add their include mechanisms

Why It Matters

Why SPF Matters for Your Business

SPF is the first layer of email authentication. Without it, your emails are more likely to be flagged, spoofed, or silently dropped.

  • Emails Land in Spam: Without a valid SPF record, receiving servers can't verify your messages are legitimate.
  • Your Domain Gets Spoofed: SPF helps prevent attackers from forging your domain.
  • Deliverability Drops Silently: SPF failures may not trigger bounce-backs.
  • Compliance and Insurance Gaps: A missing or broken SPF record can complicate audits.

Complete Protocol Coverage

Check Your Full Email Authentication with iO™ DMARC

SPF is just one piece of the puzzle. Use these tools to check the rest of your email authentication stack.

  • DKIM Checker: Verify your DKIM signature to make sure outgoing emails are cryptographically signed. Check DKIM
  • DMARC Checker: Check your DMARC policy and alignment. Check DMARC
  • BIMI Checker: See if your domain qualifies to display your brand logo. Check BIMI
  • MTA-STS Checker: Check whether your domain enforces encrypted email delivery. Check MTA-STS
  • TLS-RPT Checker: Verify your TLS reporting setup. Check TLS-RPT
  • Email Authentication Audit: Get a complete picture of your SPF, DKIM, DMARC, BIMI, and MTA-STS configuration in one report. Run Free Audit

Learn About SPF

Want to go deeper? These guides explain how SPF works, how to set it up, and how to troubleshoot common problems.

  • SPF Record Examples: Real-world SPF record examples with syntax breakdowns.
  • SPF Failure Troubleshooting: Step-by-step fixes for the most common SPF failures.
  • Managed Email Authentication: iO DMARC configures, hosts, and monitors your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for you.

Ready to Fix Your Email Authentication?

Found issues with your SPF record? Let's talk.