SPF Record
Raw Checker
Analyze SPF record syntax and mechanisms.
Validate SPF without DNS lookup.
Analyze SPF Record
Paste an SPF record to validate syntax and analyze mechanisms
Enter the complete SPF record including v=spf1
Syntax Check
Validate SPF record format
DNS Lookups
Count DNS lookup mechanisms
Best Practices
Get optimization suggestions
Why Analyze SPF Records?
SPF records can fail due to syntax errors, too many DNS lookups, or incorrect mechanisms. This tool helps identify issues before deploying to DNS.
Get SPF Management HelpRelated SPF tools
SPF Checker
Check SPF records directly from DNS queries.
SPF Generator
Create properly formatted SPF records easily.
Deliverability Score
Complete domain authentication analysis.
DNS Checker
Verify all email authentication DNS records.
DKIM Checker
Validate DKIM signatures and keys.
DMARC Checker
Analyze DMARC policy configuration.
SPF record analysis guide
Understanding SPF mechanisms, qualifiers, and common optimization techniques for better email authentication.
SPF mechanism types
include: - Reference other SPF records
Authorizes servers from another domain's SPF record. Counts as one DNS lookup.
ip4/ip6 - Direct IP authorization
Directly authorizes specific IPv4 or IPv6 addresses. No DNS lookup required.
a/mx - Use domain records
Authorizes servers listed in A or MX records. Each counts as one DNS lookup.
all - Catch-all policy
Defines what to do with emails from unmatched servers. Usually ~all or -all.
Understanding qualifiers
+ Pass (default) - Authorize the server
If no qualifier is specified, + is assumed. Emails pass SPF authentication.
~ Softfail - Mark as suspicious
Recommended for ~all. Emails are marked but not rejected.
- Fail - Reject the server
Strong policy that rejects emails from unauthorized servers.
The 10 DNS lookup limit
The most common SPF failure is exceeding the 10 DNS lookup limit. Each include, a, mx, ptr, and exists mechanism counts toward this limit. Nested includes also count - a single include statement might trigger multiple lookups.
Large organizations often hit this limit when including multiple third-party services like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Mailchimp, and SendGrid. The solution is to use IP addresses directly or consolidate includes through SPF flattening.
Frequently Asked Questions
An SPF raw checker allows you to validate the syntax of an SPF record string without needing to publish it to DNS first. This is useful for testing new configurations or debugging complex records before they go live.
Simply paste your SPF record string (starting with v=spf1) into the text area and click 'Analyze SPF Record'. We will check the syntax, count the number of DNS lookups, and identify any potential errors or warnings.
No, this tool analyzes the text you provide. If you want to check the live SPF record published on your domain, please use our standard SPF Checker tool.
Even a small syntax error in your SPF record can cause email delivery failures. Validating the syntax before publishing ensures that your record is correctly formatted and will be interpreted correctly by receiving mail servers.
Simplify SPF management
InboxKit automatically optimizes SPF records and manages the 10-lookup limit