# SPF record for Hostinger Email

URL: https://iblockspam.com/spf/hostinger-email
Last updated: 2026-11-03

Include: include:_spf.mail.hostinger.com
Where it goes: Your domain (@)
DNS lookups: 3 of 10

For a domain that uses Hostinger Email, publish one TXT record on the root of the domain (host @): v=spf1 include:_spf.mail.hostinger.com ~all. The include costs 3 of your 10 DNS lookups. If the domain uses Hostinger's nameservers, Connect automatically in hPanel adds it for you; otherwise you add it at the company that hosts your DNS.

## Example records

- Hostinger Email only (as Hostinger documents it) (TXT, host @): `v=spf1 include:_spf.mail.hostinger.com ~all`
- Hostinger Email and Mailjet for newsletters (TXT, host @): `v=spf1 include:_spf.mail.hostinger.com include:spf.mailjet.com ~all`
- Hostinger Email and Zendesk (TXT, host @): `v=spf1 include:_spf.mail.hostinger.com include:mail.zendesk.com ~all`

## Notes

- Hostinger warns that receiving servers may reject your mail if the domain has more than one SPF record, and says to combine all SPF rules into a single entry.
- The include is not your MX host. Hostinger's MX records are `mx1.hostinger.com` (priority 5) and `mx2.hostinger.com` (priority 10); they receive mail and don't belong in SPF.
- A domain hosted at Hostinger that sends website mail through another service needs that service's include as well. Hostinger's default records cover Hostinger Email only.

## How to add it

- In hPanel, go to **Emails**, click **Mailboxes** next to your domain and open **Domain settings** to see the records Hostinger expects.
- If the domain uses Hostinger's nameservers, click **Connect automatically** and skip the manual steps.
- Otherwise, sign in to the company that hosts your DNS and look for a TXT record on the root (host `@`, or an empty host field) that starts with `v=spf1`.
- If there is one, add `include:_spf.mail.hostinger.com` to it. If there isn't, create a TXT record with `v=spf1 include:_spf.mail.hostinger.com ~all`.
- Return to Domain settings in hPanel to check the status. Hostinger says activation can take up to 24 hours; then check the live record with the SPF Checker below.

## DKIM and DMARC

Hostinger Email signs outgoing mail with DKIM through three CNAME records, `hostingermail-a._domainkey`, `hostingermail-b._domainkey` and `hostingermail-c._domainkey`, each pointing to a matching name under `dkim.mail.hostinger.com`. Hostinger's manual setup also lists a starter DMARC record, `v=DMARC1; p=none;` with a report address, which it calls highly recommended. See our [DMARC record examples](https://iblockspam.com/blog/dmarc-record-examples) for the next steps after `p=none`.

## Common mistakes

- Typing the full name into the host field. Hostinger notes that some DNS providers add your domain automatically, so the host should be `@` (or empty) for SPF, not `example.com`.
- Keeping an old record from a previous mail host next to the new one. Two `v=spf1` records make SPF fail; merge them into one.

**Q: What is the SPF record for Hostinger Email?**
Hostinger's manual setup gives a TXT record on host `@` with the value `v=spf1 include:_spf.mail.hostinger.com ~all`. If other services send as your domain, add their includes to that same record.

**Q: Does Connect automatically in hPanel set up SPF for Hostinger Email?**
Yes, when the domain uses Hostinger's nameservers: Hostinger adds the MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC records for you. If your DNS is hosted elsewhere, the button isn't offered and you add the records at that DNS host.

**Q: Why does Hostinger say my domain is not connected after I added the SPF record?**
Usually because the record was added at a DNS provider your domain doesn't use. Records only take effect where your nameservers point. Hostinger also says activation can take up to 24 hours, so wait before troubleshooting further.

Sources:
- Hostinger Help: Set up a domain for Hostinger Mail manually: https://www.hostinger.com/support/8671319-set-up-a-domain-for-hostinger-email-manually/
- Hostinger Help: Set up domain for Hostinger Mail: https://www.hostinger.com/support/8650765-set-up-a-domain-for-hostinger-email/

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Source: iBlockSpam, https://iblockspam.com/spf/hostinger-email (this is a Markdown copy; the HTML page is canonical). Quote with attribution and a link. Site index for AI assistants: https://iblockspam.com/llms.txt