How to Add MX Records in GoDaddy - Step-by-Step Guide

GoDaddy is one of the most popular domain registrars, and managing MX records through their interface is straightforward once you know where to look. This guide walks you through adding MX records for Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or any other email provider.

Before You Start

Make sure you have:

• Access to your GoDaddy account
• The MX records from your email provider (hostname and priority for each)
• A few minutes for the changes to propagate

If you're switching email providers, consider lowering your current MX record TTL 24-48 hours before making changes to speed up propagation.

Accessing DNS Management in GoDaddy

1. Log into GoDaddy at godaddy.com
2. Click on your username in the top right, then select My Products
3. Find your domain and click DNS (or the three dots menu, then Manage DNS)
4. You'll see your DNS records listed, including any existing MX records

The DNS management page shows all record types. MX records will be in the list with "MX" in the Type column.

Adding MX Records

Step 1: Remove Old MX Records (If Switching Providers)

If you're changing email providers, delete existing MX records first:

1. Find the MX record(s) in your DNS list
2. Click the pencil icon to edit, then Delete
3. Confirm the deletion
4. Repeat for all old MX records

Step 2: Add New MX Records

1. Click Add at the bottom of the DNS records list
2. Select MX as the record type
3. Fill in the fields:
   • Host: Usually @ (represents your root domain)
   • Points to: The mail server hostname from your email provider
   • Priority: The priority number from your email provider
   • TTL: Leave as default (1 hour) or set custom
4. Click Save
5. Repeat for each MX record your email provider requires

Adding Google Workspace MX Records

For Google Workspace, add these five MX records:

Add each one separately through the GoDaddy interface. The order you add them doesn't matter—priority determines which server is tried first.

Adding Microsoft 365 MX Records

For Microsoft 365, you typically need one MX record:

Replace yourdomain-com with your actual domain (using hyphens instead of dots). Microsoft provides the exact value in your admin portal.

Adding Other Email Provider MX Records

Different providers have different requirements:

Zoho Mail:

@ → mx.zoho.com (priority 10)
@ → mx2.zoho.com (priority 20)
@ → mx3.zoho.com (priority 50)

ProtonMail:

@ → mail.protonmail.ch (priority 10)
@ → mailsec.protonmail.ch (priority 20)

Fastmail:

@ → in1-smtp.messagingengine.com (priority 10)
@ → in2-smtp.messagingengine.com (priority 20)

Always check your email provider's documentation for current MX values—they occasionally change.

Verifying Your Changes

After adding MX records:

1. Wait for propagation. Changes typically take 15-60 minutes to propagate, though it can take up to 48 hours.

2. Check with our MX lookup tool to verify records appear correctly.

3. Send a test email from an external account (like a personal Gmail) to your domain.

4. Verify in your email provider's admin console. Most providers have a setup wizard that checks MX records.

Troubleshooting GoDaddy MX Issues

Changes Not Appearing

• Wait at least 1 hour before troubleshooting
• Clear your DNS cache (flush DNS)
• Check you edited the correct domain if you have multiple
• Verify changes were saved (GoDaddy sometimes requires clicking Save multiple times)

"Host" Field Confusion

• Use @ for your root domain (example.com)
• Use a subdomain name for subdomains (e.g., mail for mail.example.com)
• Don't include your full domain in the Host field

Priority Field Issues

• GoDaddy accepts numeric priorities (1, 5, 10, etc.)
• Lower numbers = higher priority (tried first)
• If you can't enter the exact priority, get as close as possible while maintaining relative order

"Points to" Formatting

• Enter the mail server hostname exactly as provided
• Don't add http:// or trailing slashes
• Some providers require a trailing dot (aspmx.l.google.com.) but GoDaddy usually handles this automatically

GoDaddy-Specific Considerations

Using GoDaddy's Email Service

If you're using GoDaddy's own email hosting, MX records may be configured automatically. Check before adding manual records to avoid conflicts.

Forwarding and Email Features

GoDaddy offers email forwarding that creates its own MX records. If you're using a third-party email provider, disable GoDaddy's email features to prevent conflicts.

DNS Propagation

GoDaddy's DNS updates typically propagate within 15-30 minutes to their own servers, but reaching all DNS servers globally takes longer.

Support

If you run into issues, GoDaddy's support can help with DNS configuration. They can verify records are set correctly on their end.

After Setup: Additional Records

MX records handle where email goes, but you'll also want:

• SPF record to authorize your email provider to send on your behalf. Check at spfrecordcheck.com.
• DKIM record for email signing (your email provider will give you this)
• DMARC record for authentication policy. Check at dmarcrecordchecker.com.

These additional records improve deliverability and prevent your email from being flagged as spam.

Monitor Your MX Records

Checking once is good. Monitoring continuously is better. The Email Deliverability Suite watches your SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and MX records daily and alerts you when something breaks.