When you set up email for your domain using MX (Mail Exchange) records, you might notice a setting called Priority. It’s an important part of how mail servers decide which server to deliver email to first, especially if you have more than one mail server listed.
This article explains what DNS Priority means and how to set it correctly.
What Is Priority In DNS? #
Priority is a number that determines the order in which email servers are used. It only applies to MX records, which are used to route email for your domain.
- Lower numbers = higher priority
- Emails are delivered to the server with the lowest priority number first
- If that server is unavailable, the next lowest priority is used – and so on
When Would You Use Multiple MX Records? #
Some email providers use multiple servers for redundancy. You might be asked to enter:
- A primary mail server with priority 10
- A backup mail server with priority 20
If the primary one goes down or is unreachable, your domain will still receive emails through the backup server.
How To Set Priority #
In your DNS control panel, when adding an MX record, you’ll usually see a field labelled Priority.
Here is an example setup below:
| Hostname | Priority |
| mx1.aerowavehosting.io | 10 |
| mx2.aerowavehosting.io | 20 |
This setup means emails will go to mx1 first, and only use mx2 if needed
Need Help? #
Email settings can be fiddly, but we’re always here to help. If something’s not working or you want a quick check of your current MX setup, just get in touch – we’ll get it sorted.
