Glossary
TXT Record — DNS Text Records Explained
A DNS TXT record stores arbitrary text data associated with a domain. TXT records are used for email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), domain verification (Google, Microsoft), and various security configurations. Most email authentication setup involves publishing TXT records — SPF lives entirely in a TXT record, DKIM public keys are published as TXT records, and DMARC policies are TXT records.
Common TXT Record Uses
v=spf1 ... ~all→ SPF recordv=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=...→ DKIM public keyv=DMARC1; p=none; rua=...→ DMARC policygoogle-site-verification=...→ domain verification
TXT Record Limits
- Single string: 255 characters max
- Multiple strings: combine in one record
- SPF: only ONE TXT record starting with v=spf1
Read live TXT from DNS Preflight
Open DNS Preflight →FAQ
What is a DNS TXT record?
A DNS record that stores text data. Used for SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and domain verification.
Can I have multiple TXT records?
Yes — except for SPF. You can have multiple TXT records but only one can start with v=spf1.
Why is my TXT record not working?
Check for extra spaces, incorrect quote formatting, or truncation by your DNS provider. Long TXT records must be properly joined.