Generate Your DKIM Record

Generated DKIM Record

DNS Record

Generated Key Pair

Private Key (Keep Secure!)

Public Key

DNS Record Details

Implementation Instructions

Why Use Our DKIM Record Generator?

Cryptographic Security

DKIM uses digital signatures to authenticate emails, ensuring message integrity and preventing tampering during transit.

Anti-Spoofing Protection

Prevent unauthorized users from sending emails on behalf of your domain, protecting your brand reputation.

Email Deliverability

Improve your email deliverability rates as DKIM is a key factor in email provider spam filtering algorithms.

Easy Configuration

Generate properly formatted DKIM records with customizable options for key size, algorithms, and canonicalization.

Key Generation

Automatically generate secure RSA or Ed25519 key pairs or use your existing public keys for DKIM implementation.

Standards Compliant

Our generator follows RFC 6376 specifications ensuring compatibility with all major email providers and systems.

How DKIM Authentication Works

Configure Domain

Enter your domain name and DKIM selector. Choose encryption settings and key parameters based on your security requirements.

Generate Keys & Record

Our tool creates a cryptographic key pair and formats the DKIM DNS record according to RFC 6376 specifications.

Publish DNS Record

Add the generated TXT record to your DNS zone file at the specified hostname to publish your public key.

Configure Mail Server

Install the private key on your mail server and configure DKIM signing for outgoing emails using your preferred settings.

Verify & Monitor

Test your DKIM implementation and monitor email authentication reports to ensure proper signing and validation.

Understanding DKIM: DomainKeys Identified Mail

Technical diagram illustrating DKIM email authentication process with cryptographic key pairs, digital signatures, and DNS record validation flow

What is DKIM?

DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) is an email authentication method that uses digital signatures to verify that an email message was sent by an authorized mail server and hasn't been tampered with during transit. DKIM helps email receivers determine if a message actually came from the domain it claims to be from, significantly reducing email spoofing and phishing attacks.

How DKIM Works

DKIM operates using public-key cryptography. When an email is sent, the sending mail server signs the message with a private key. The corresponding public key is published in the domain's DNS records. When the receiving server gets the email, it retrieves the public key from DNS and uses it to verify the signature, ensuring the message's authenticity and integrity.

Key Components of DKIM

DKIM Signature: Added to email headers, containing the digital signature and metadata
Private Key: Used by the sending server to sign outgoing emails
Public Key: Published in DNS TXT records for signature verification
Selector: Identifier that allows multiple DKIM keys per domain
Canonicalization: Method for normalizing email content before signing

Benefits of Implementing DKIM

Enhanced Email Security: Cryptographic authentication prevents spoofing and tampering
Improved Deliverability: ISPs trust DKIM-signed emails, reducing spam folder placement
Brand Protection: Prevents unauthorized use of your domain for malicious emails
Compliance Readiness: Supports DMARC implementation for comprehensive email security
Message Integrity: Ensures emails haven't been modified during transit
Reputation Management: Builds positive sending reputation with email providers

DKIM Configuration Best Practices

Use RSA 2048-bit keys or Ed25519 for optimal security and compatibility
Implement key rotation every 6-12 months for enhanced security
Use unique selectors for different mail servers or services
Choose relaxed/relaxed canonicalization for better compatibility
Monitor DKIM alignment in DMARC reports regularly
Test DKIM signatures before full deployment

Common DKIM Implementation Challenges

Key Management: Securely storing and rotating private keys
DNS Configuration: Properly formatting and publishing public keys
Mail Server Setup: Configuring DKIM signing in mail transfer agents
Canonicalization Issues: Handling email modifications by intermediary servers
Multiple Services: Managing DKIM for various email sending services

Checking Your DKIM Implementation

After implementing DKIM, verify your setup using these methods:

Use online DKIM validators to check DNS record publication
Send test emails to DKIM verification services
Review email headers for DKIM-Signature presence
Monitor authentication results in email logs
Analyze DMARC reports for DKIM alignment data

DKIM and Email Authentication Ecosystem

DKIM works best as part of a comprehensive email authentication strategy alongside SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance). This triple authentication provides robust protection against email-based threats and significantly improves email deliverability and trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DKIM and why do I need it?

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is an email authentication method that uses digital signatures to verify email authenticity. You need it to prevent email spoofing, improve deliverability, protect your brand reputation, and comply with modern email security standards.

What's the difference between RSA and Ed25519 keys?

RSA is widely supported and recommended for maximum compatibility. Ed25519 offers better security and performance with smaller key sizes but has limited support in older systems. For most implementations, RSA 2048-bit keys provide the best balance of security and compatibility.

How do I choose a DKIM selector?

DKIM selectors should be unique identifiers like 'default', 'mail', 'dkim1', or include dates like '2024-01'. Use descriptive selectors that help you identify different keys or services. Avoid special characters and keep them short and memorable.

What is canonicalization and which should I choose?

Canonicalization determines how email content is normalized before signing. "Relaxed/Relaxed" is recommended as it's more tolerant of minor modifications during email transit. "Simple/Simple" is stricter but may cause validation failures if emails are modified by intermediary servers.

How often should I rotate DKIM keys?

Best practice recommends rotating DKIM keys every 6-12 months for security. When rotating, publish the new public key in DNS first, configure your mail server to use the new private key, then remove the old DNS record after a few days to ensure all emails in transit are validated.

Can I use multiple DKIM records for one domain?

Yes, you can have multiple DKIM records using different selectors. This is useful when using multiple email services, during key rotation, or for different mail servers. Each selector creates a separate DNS record (e.g., selector1._domainkey.example.com, selector2._domainkey.example.com).

What should I do with the private key?

The private key must be kept secure and installed on your mail server for DKIM signing. Store it in a secure location, restrict access permissions, use secure file transfer methods, and never share it publicly. The private key is what enables your server to sign outgoing emails.

DKIM Record Generator