Cloudflare

Adding MX Records in Cloudflare DNS

The critical Cloudflare MX rule: MX records must NEVER be proxied (orange cloud). Set to DNS-only (grey cloud). Proxied MX records break email delivery.

The critical Cloudflare MX rule

MX records must never be proxied (orange cloud). Set to DNS-only (grey cloud). Proxied MX records break email delivery.

DNS → Records → Add record Type: MX Name: @ Mail server: aspmx.l.google.com Priority: 1 TTL: Auto Proxy: DNS only (grey) — REQUIRED

Check MX across resolvers

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See also: MX record guide · MX glossary · No MX error

Step by step

Step 1 Cloudflare DNS → Add record → Type: MX

Step 2 Name: @

Step 3 Mail server: paste your provider's MX hostname

Step 4 Priority: set per your provider's instructions

Step 5 Confirm proxy is grey (DNS only) — never orange

Step 6 Repeat for each MX record your provider requires

Step 7 Verify with DomainPreflight Propagation — MX type

FAQ

Should Cloudflare MX records be proxied (orange) or DNS-only (grey)?

Always DNS-only (grey). Proxied MX records break email delivery. This is the most common Cloudflare email mistake.

How many MX records do I need?

Depends on your provider. Google Workspace needs 5. Microsoft 365 needs 1. Check your provider's docs.

What priority should I set?

Use exactly what your provider specifies. Google uses 1, 5, 10. Microsoft uses 0.

My email stopped working after adding MX in Cloudflare — why?

Check the proxy status. If it shows orange, click it to make it grey. Proxied MX breaks everything.

How do I verify MX records are propagated?

DomainPreflight Propagation checker — select MX type, enter your domain.

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