Kitterman SPF validator
Classic web SPF policy evaluator used by operators for syntax checks.
- Reading time:
- 5 min
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate
- Estimated duration:
- 5 min
- Prerequisites:
- None
- Last updated:
- 2026-07-15
- Author:
- empire
Overview
Classic web SPF policy evaluator used by operators for syntax checks.
Vendor: Scott Kitterman
Primary purpose
Validate SPF record syntax and evaluation behavior.
Best for
- Catching SPF syntax and mechanism mistakes
Common use cases
- Test a draft SPF string
- Reproduce an SPF permerror
Advantages
- Long-standing, focused SPF checker
Limitations
- UI is dated
- Does not replace dig at the authority
When not to use it
- You need continuous monitoring
Pricing
Free web utility.
Official website
Inputs and outputs
Typical inputs
- Domain or SPF string
- Optional sending IP
Typical outputs
- SPF evaluation results
Privacy notes
- Review each vendor’s data handling before uploading production lists or message content.
Related Learn Articles
Related Solve Articles
- Invalid SPF mechanismSPF record contains unsupported or malformed mechanisms.
- Broken SPF includeAn included SPF domain is missing, invalid, or fails closed.
- Forwarded email fails SPFForwarding paths break SPF because the forwarder is not authorized.
- Incorrect IP authorizationSending infrastructure IPs are not authorized by SPF.
- Multiple SPF recordsMore than one SPF TXT record exists, causing evaluation failure.
- SPF passes but DMARC failsSPF authenticates a domain that does not align for DMARC.
- SPF PermErrorSPF evaluation fails permanently due to policy or lookup errors.
- SPF record missingNo SPF TXT record is published for the sending domain.
- SPF TempErrorTemporary DNS or evaluation failure during SPF checks.
- Too many DNS lookupsSPF evaluation exceeds the ten-lookup limit.