Free SPF Record Checker & Validator
Check your SPF record instantly. Validate syntax, test DNS lookups (10-lookup limit), detect +all risks, and get copy-ready fixes for SPF errors. Free SPF syntax validator for email authentication.
Why SPF Matters
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) prevents email spoofing by specifying which IP addresses are authorized to send emails for your domain.
Anti-Spoofing
Prevents unauthorized senders from using your domain
Deliverability
Improves email delivery rates and inbox placement
Authentication
Works with DKIM and DMARC for complete protection
Reputation
Protects your domain's sending reputation
Live SPF Test
SPF Record Found
Mechanism Breakdown
Validation Results
Enter a domain above to check its SPF record
Common SPF Risk Flags
Issues that can affect your email deliverability and security.
+all Mechanism
Allows any IP to send emails - major security risk
10+ DNS Lookups
Exceeds RFC limit, may cause SPF failures
Record Too Long
Over 255 characters may cause DNS issues
PTR Mechanisms
Slow and unreliable, avoid if possible
SPF Best Practices
Follow these guidelines for optimal SPF configuration.
Use Hard Fail (-all)
Replace ~all with -all for stronger protection:
Minimize DNS Lookups
Use IP addresses instead of includes when possible:
Flatten Complex Records
For complex setups, use SPF flattening services to reduce lookups.
Copy-Ready SPF Record
Generate an SPF record for common email providers
Select Your Email Provider
Generated SPF Record
Related Email Security Tools
Complete your email authentication setup with these tools.
Run a Full Email Security Audit
Check SPF, DMARC, DKIM, MTA-STS, and more in one comprehensive scan
Frequently Asked Questions About SPF Records
Common questions about SPF record validation, syntax checking, and email authentication implementation.
How long can an SPF record be?
SPF records must be under 255 characters per DNS TXT record limits. However, it's recommended to keep them under 200 characters to avoid potential DNS issues. If you need more space, use include mechanisms to reference other SPF records or consider SPF flattening services. Use our free SPF checker above to validate your record length.
Why is there a 10-DNS-lookup limit for SPF records?
The 10-DNS-lookup limit prevents infinite loops and reduces server load during SPF evaluation. Each include, a, mx, exists, and redirect mechanism counts toward this limit. To stay under the limit, use ip4/ip6 mechanisms when possible, or consider SPF flattening for complex configurations. Our SPF validator checks your DNS lookup count automatically.
What's the difference between ~all and -all?
~all (soft fail) suggests that emails from unauthorized IPs should be marked as suspicious but still delivered. -all (hard fail) instructs receiving servers to reject emails from unauthorized IPs. Start with ~all for testing, then upgrade to -all for stronger protection.
Can I have multiple SPF records?
No, you should only have one SPF record per domain. Multiple SPF records will cause validation failures. If you need to include multiple email sources, use include mechanisms or list multiple IP addresses in a single SPF record.
How long does SPF propagation take?
SPF records typically propagate within a few hours, but can take up to 48 hours for full global DNS propagation. Most email servers will see the changes within 1-4 hours. You can check propagation using DNS lookup tools.