DNS guide
Adding email records in Amazon Route 53
Route 53 needs TXT values wrapped in double quotes, and long values split into several quoted strings.
By Ahmet Karaca · Updated · Checked against Amazon Route 53 documentation on
Steps
- Open Route 53 → Hosted zones and select your domain.
- Click Create record, enter the record name (leave it empty for the root domain) and choose the type.
- Paste the value. For TXT, wrap it in double quotes.
- Click Create records.
Common mistakes
- With simple routing, Route 53 keeps every TXT value for a name in one record. Add a new value, such as a verification string next to SPF, on its own row in the existing TXT record instead of creating another record.
- Route 53 still lists an SPF record type, but AWS no longer recommends it. Publish SPF as a TXT record instead.
- Records only take effect in the hosted zone whose four name servers your registrar lists. With two hosted zones of the same name, editing the wrong one changes nothing.
- A literal double quote inside a Route 53 TXT string must be escaped as \", and non-ASCII characters must be written as three-digit octal codes such as \344.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly do Route 53 changes go live?
Changes generally reach all Route 53 name servers within 60 seconds. Resolvers that cached the old answer keep it until the record's TTL runs out.
What TTL should I use for email records in Route 53?
When you change a name that is already in use, AWS suggests a short TTL such as 300 seconds first, then raising it once the new settings are confirmed.
What is the longest TXT value Route 53 accepts?
4,000 characters per value, entered as quoted strings of up to 255 characters each. A 2048-bit DKIM key goes in as "first part" "second part" in the same value box.
Can a name with a CNAME also have a TXT record in Route 53?
No. Once a name has a CNAME, Route 53 won't create any other record for it, and the zone apex cannot have a CNAME at all.
What to add
Pick the service you're setting up to see the exact records:
Mailbox providers
Marketing platforms
Official reference: Amazon Route 53 documentation.
Check your Amazon Route 53 setup
Or open the SPF checker, DKIM checker or DMARC checker directly.