# SPF record for IONOS Mail

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

Include: include:_spf-us.ionos.com
Where it goes: Your domain (@)
DNS lookups: 1 of 10

IONOS turns SPF on by default for domains whose DNS it hosts. If your DNS is hosted elsewhere, publish a TXT record on the domain: IONOS's US help gives v=spf1 include:_spf-us.ionos.com ~all, and its UK help gives v=spf1 include:_spf-eu.ionos.com ~all. Use the one your IONOS account's help center shows. Either include costs 1 DNS lookup.

## Example records

- IONOS Mail, US account (ionos.com) (TXT, host @): `v=spf1 include:_spf-us.ionos.com ~all`
- IONOS Mail, UK or EU account (ionos.co.uk) (TXT, host @): `v=spf1 include:_spf-eu.ionos.com ~all`
- IONOS Mail (US) and Brevo for newsletters (TXT, host @): `v=spf1 include:_spf-us.ionos.com include:spf.brevo.com ~all`

## Notes

- IONOS says that if an SPF TXT record for another email service already exists, IONOS adds its own mail server information to that record automatically. Check the result rather than adding a second record.
- On 3 November 2026, `_spf-us.ionos.com` and `_spf-eu.ionos.com` each listed only IP ranges, so neither nests further lookups.
- The included records end in `?all`, but that doesn't weaken yours: SPF uses the `all` of your own record for servers that match none of your includes.

## How to add it

- If IONOS hosts your DNS, you usually need nothing: IONOS says its SPF is enabled by default for IONOS-hosted domains.
- If the record is missing (IONOS mentions trouble sending to Gmail as a sign), open the domain's DNS settings in IONOS, click **Add Record**, select **IONOS SPF (TXT)** and save.
- If another company hosts your DNS, create a TXT record on `@` there with the value from your IONOS help center, or add the include to the `v=spf1` record you already have.
- IONOS says changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate. Then check the live record with the SPF Checker below.

## DKIM and DMARC

DKIM is on by default for IONOS-hosted DNS. With outside DNS, IONOS asks for three CNAME records: `s1-ionos._domainkey` to `s1.dkim.ionos.com`, `s2-ionos._domainkey` to `s2.dkim.ionos.com` and `s42582890._domainkey` to `s42582890.dkim.ionos.com`. With SPF and DKIM in place, add a [DMARC record](https://iblockspam.com/blog/dmarc-record-examples); IONOS's articles don't give a DMARC value.

## Common mistakes

- Copying the EU include from a UK guide into a US account, or the other way round. Use the value your own IONOS help center gives.
- Editing or deleting the IONOS SPF record without checking what it covers. IONOS warns this can affect sending.

**Q: What is the IONOS SPF record for a domain on outside DNS?**
IONOS's US help gives `v=spf1 include:_spf-us.ionos.com ~all` and its UK help gives `v=spf1 include:_spf-eu.ionos.com ~all`, as a TXT record on your domain. If an SPF record already exists, add the include to it instead.

**Q: Should I use _spf-us.ionos.com or _spf-eu.ionos.com?**
Use the one your IONOS help center shows: ionos.com documents `_spf-us.ionos.com` and ionos.co.uk documents `_spf-eu.ionos.com`. Each costs one DNS lookup, so a domain that is unsure can't break the 10-lookup limit by choosing either.

**Q: Why are IONOS mails to Gmail rejected even though I use IONOS DNS?**
IONOS names a missing SPF record as a likely cause. Open the domain's DNS settings, click Add Record, choose IONOS SPF (TXT) and save, then allow up to 48 hours. Then check that IONOS's three DKIM CNAMEs are in place as well.

Sources:
- IONOS Help (US): Using IONOS SPF to improve email delivery: https://www.ionos.com/help/domains/configuring-mail-servers-and-other-related-records/using-ionos-spf-to-improve-email-delivery/
- IONOS Help (UK): Using IONOS SPF to improve email delivery: https://www.ionos.co.uk/help/domains/configuring-mail-servers-and-other-related-records/using-ionos-spf-to-improve-email-delivery/
- IONOS Help: Email authentication with DKIM: https://www.ionos.com/help/domains/configuring-mail-servers-and-other-related-records/email-authentication-with-dkim

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Source: iBlockSpam, https://iblockspam.com/spf/ionos (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