How to Set Up a Custom Email Address on Namecheap

A custom email address like you@yourbusiness.com looks far more professional than a generic Gmail address — and if your domain is at Namecheap, you can set one up in a few minutes. You don't need a new inbox; mail forwards to the Gmail or Outlook you already use.

This guide sets up a custom email address on your Namecheap domain using Routr, an email forwarding service. You'll create a Routr account, add your domain, then add a few DNS records at Namecheap. Those records point your mail to Routr's forwarding servers, so they only start working once your domain is connected to your Routr account.

New to custom email in general? Start with our overview of how to set up a custom email address, then come back for the Namecheap steps.

What you'll need

• A domain using Namecheap's DNS (BasicDNS).
• An inbox to forward to — Gmail, Outlook, or similar.
• A Routr account — you'll set it up in the first step below.
• About five minutes.

Step 1: Connect your domain to Routr

The DNS records below send your mail to Routr's forwarding servers, so Routr needs to know your domain first:

1. Create your Routr account and enter your Namecheap domain.
2. Choose the inbox to forward to.
3. Routr confirms the exact records to add — the three below.

The DNS records you'll add

Step 2: Add the records in Namecheap

1. Log in to Namecheap and open your Domain List.
2. Click Manage next to your domain.
3. Open the Advanced DNS tab.
4. Under Mail Settings, choose Custom MX. (Namecheap ignores MX records unless you do this.)
5. Delete any existing MX records.
6. Click Add New Record → MX Record: Host @, Value mx1.improvmx.com, Priority 10. Save.
7. Add another MX Record: Host @, Value mx2.improvmx.com, Priority 20. Save.
8. Click Add New Record → TXT Record: Host @, Value v=spf1 include:spf.improvmx.com ~all. Save.

Step 3: Verify and start using your address

DNS changes usually take 5–30 minutes. Use Routr's “check now” button to confirm the records are live. To reply from your custom address, turn on Gmail's “Send mail as” feature — your Routr dashboard includes a guide.

Namecheap Private Email vs. simple forwarding

Namecheap sells Private Email mailboxes — a separate inbox you log into, useful if you need a standalone account. But if you simply want a professional address that arrives in the inbox you already check, forwarding is simpler and cheaper — see how much a custom email address costs. Routr is $4.99/month for every address on your domain.

Frequently asked questions