DNS guide
Google Workspace MX Records
The Google Workspace MX record is a single entry: smtp.google.com with priority 1. Domains set up before 2023 may still use the five legacy ASPMX records, which Google continues to support.
Gmail activated for northwind.io
Values
Google Workspace MX record values
Use this record for any new setup. Delete every other MX record on the domain first: Google warns that old or incorrect MX records can stop email working.
| Type | Name / Host | Priority | Value | TTL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX | @ | 1 | smtp.google.com | Your host's default |
Legacy Google MX records (setups before 2023)
If your domain already uses these five records and mail arrives, leave them alone. ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM must stay the top-priority record.
| Value | Priority |
|---|---|
ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM | 1 |
ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM | 5 |
ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM | 5 |
ALT3.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM | 10 |
ALT4.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM | 10 |
If Gmail is working, don't touch your MX records
Basics
What is an MX (mail exchanger) record?
An MX record tells the internet which server accepts email for your domain. It holds a host name, never an IP address, and a priority number.
How an MX record routes incoming mail
The sender never needs to know you use Google. It asks DNS, and DNS answers.
When a domain has several MX records, sending servers try the lowest priority number first and fall back to higher ones, as defined in RFC 5321. That is why the legacy Google set uses 1, 5 and 10, while the single smtp.google.com record only needs 1.
Gmail MX records vs Google Workspace MX records
People searching for “Gmail MX records” often find the records for gmail.com itself. Those route @gmail.com addresses only; never copy them onto your own domain.
| Value | Priority |
|---|---|
gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com | 5 |
alt1.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com | 10 |
alt2.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com | 20 |
alt3.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com | 30 |
alt4.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com | 40 |
Setup
How to add Google Workspace MX records at your DNS host
The same four steps work everywhere. Only the menu names change.
Step 1
Clear old MX
Delete every existing MX record for the domain or subdomain.
Step 2
Add the record
Type MX, host @, priority 1, value smtp.google.com.
Step 3
Save
Some hosts want a trailing dot: smtp.google.com.
Step 4
Activate Gmail
Admin console › Manage domains › Activate Gmail.
| DNS host | Where to add it | Fields |
|---|---|---|
| GoDaddy | Domain Portfolio › your domain › DNS › Add New Record › Type: MX | Name @ · Priority 1 · Value smtp.google.com |
| Cloudflare | DNS › Records › Add record › Type: MX | Name @ · Mail server smtp.google.com · Priority 1 |
| Namecheap | Domain List › Manage › Advanced DNS › Mail Settings › Custom MX | Host @ · Value smtp.google.com · Priority 1 |
| Squarespace (incl. former Google Domains) | Domains › your domain › DNS › DNS Settings › Add record › MX, or the Google Workspace preset | Name @ · Priority 1 · Mail Server smtp.google.com |
Namecheap advises choosing Custom MX rather than its Gmail template, which it says doesn't work reliably. Squarespace adds the records for you if you signed up for Google Workspace through Squarespace.
Verify
Check your MX records
Run your domain through the checker, or query DNS directly. Expect smtp.google.com and nothing else.
Checks SPF, DKIM, DMARC and MX records live. Free, no sign-up.
macOS / Linux
dig MX northwind.io +short
1 smtp.google.com.Windows
nslookup -type=mx northwind.ioWant mailboxes with DNS already done?
Next
MX gets mail in. Three more records get it delivered.
- Google Workspace SPF record: authorizes Google to send as your domain.
- DKIM setup: signs every message with your domain's key.
- SPF vs DKIM vs DMARC: how the three work together.
Sending cold email from secondary domains? Give each one working MX records too, so replies and bounce notices reach you.
Sources: Google: set up MX records · Google: MX record values (legacy) · RFC 5321 §5.1 (MX priority) · Namecheap: MX records · Squarespace: DNS records for email · Cloudflare: DNS record types · GoDaddy: manage DNS records
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What are the MX records for Google Workspace?
One record: smtp.google.com with priority 1, added at your root domain (@). Domains that started using Google Workspace before 2023 may have the older five-record set starting with ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM, which Google still supports.
What is an MX record?
An MX (mail exchanger) record is a DNS record that names the server that accepts email for a domain, with a priority number. Sending servers look it up before delivering. When there are several, the lowest number is tried first.
Do I need to replace my old ASPMX records with smtp.google.com?
No. Google says the legacy values are still supported, and if Gmail is already receiving mail you shouldn't change your MX records, because a mistake can make incoming mail bounce.
What are Gmail's MX records?
The gmail.com domain uses its own servers, such as gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com. Those are only for @gmail.com addresses. For your own domain on Google Workspace, use smtp.google.com.
Where do I set Google Workspace MX records for a former Google Domains domain?
Google Domains registrations moved to Squarespace. Open the domain in Squarespace, go to DNS and DNS Settings, and add an MX record with priority 1 and smtp.google.com, or apply the Google Workspace preset.
How long do MX record changes take?
Google says changes can take up to 72 hours to take effect; how quickly you see them depends on the TTL of the old record. Click Activate Gmail in the Admin console once the new record is published.