Mail tester: how to test your email before you send
A few minutes of testing before a big send can save a campaign. Here is how mail-tester.com works, what its score means, and what else to check.
Go to mail-tester.com, copy the test address it shows, send your real email to it from the same tool you will use for the campaign, then select Then check your score. You get a score out of 10 and a report on authentication, content and blocklists. The free version allows 3 tests a day. Aim for 9 or 10 out of 10.
How mail-tester.com works
- Open mail-tester.com. It shows a random test address.
- Send the email you want to test to that address. Use the same app or platform and the same From address you will use for the real send, or the test won't mean much.
- Go back and select the button to check your score.
- Read the report: it checks your message content with the SpamAssassin spam filter, your SPF, DKIM and DMARC, whether your server or domain is on public blocklists, and broken links.
The free version gives you 3 tests in any 24 hours, and results are kept for 7 days. Paid packs add more tests.
What the score means
| Score | What it means |
|---|---|
| 9 to 10 | Well set up. Send with confidence. |
| 7 to 9 | Mostly fine. Fix the warnings, often a missing DMARC record or spammy wording. |
| 5 to 7 | Real problems. Some providers will put this mail in spam. |
| Below 5 | Don't send yet. Check authentication and blocklists first. |
A perfect score doesn't guarantee the inbox. Gmail and Outlook also look at your sending history and at how people react to your mail. But a low score almost always points to something worth fixing.
Other free checks before a big send
- Authentication: test SPF, DKIM, DMARC and MX with the DMARC checker.
- Wording: scan the subject and body with the spam word checker.
- Size: Gmail clips messages over about 102 KB. Check with the Gmail clipping checker.
- Subject and preview: see how they look in the inbox with the subject line tester.
- Headers: send a test to your own Gmail or Outlook.com account and paste the headers into the email header analyzer to confirm SPF, DKIM and DMARC pass.
Test the list, not just the email
A perfect email still hurts your reputation if it goes to a list full of dead addresses. High bounce rates are one of the fastest ways to land in spam. Clean the list and verify it before you send: Veml, from the maker of EmailNa, checks every address and sorts it into Passed, Risky, Unknown and Invalid.
Sending a test email to yourself
Most email platforms have a "Send test" button. Send the test to accounts at the big providers your readers use, such as Gmail, Outlook.com and Yahoo, and check: did it land in the inbox or spam, do images and links work, and does it look right on a phone?
Questions people ask
- Is mail-tester.com free?
- Yes, for up to 3 tests in any 24 hours. More tests need a paid pack.
- Why is my mail-tester score low?
- The most common reasons are a missing SPF, DKIM or DMARC record, a server or domain on a blocklist, spammy wording, or broken links. The report lists each issue.
- Does a 10/10 score mean my email will reach the inbox?
- No. It means the email and setup are sound. Inbox placement also depends on your sending reputation and how recipients engage.
- How do I test if my email goes to spam?
- Send tests to your own accounts at Gmail, Outlook.com and Yahoo, use mail-tester.com for a score, and check your authentication with a DMARC checker.