Email Header Analyzer

Analyze and inspect email headers for security and routing information

Email headers are an essential component of email communication. They contain vital information about the email’s journey, including the sender, recipient, and the servers through which the message passed. An Email Header Analyzer simplifies interpreting this often complex data, aiding in troubleshooting, identifying spam, or verifying sender authenticity.

How to Get Email Headers from Popular Platforms

Gmail

Desktop:
- Open the email you want to analyze.
- Click the three vertical dots next to the reply button.
- Select “Show Original”.
- Copy the text displayed or download it for further analysis.
Mobile App: Gmail’s mobile app does not directly display headers. Use the desktop version for this purpose.

Outlook (Web)

Open the email.
Click on the three dots (...) in the upper-right corner.
Select “View message source”.
The email header will be displayed as plain text.

Outlook (Desktop)

Double-click the email to open it in a new window.
Navigate to File > Properties.
In the Properties window, find the Internet headers section at the bottom. Copy the text for analysis.

Apple Mail

Open the email.
Click View in the top menu.
Select Message > All Headers or Message > Raw Source to see the full header details.

Yahoo Mail

Open the email.
Click the three dots in the toolbar.
Select “View Raw Message”.
The header will appear as plain text for copying or downloading.

Other Platforms

Thunderbird:
- Right-click on the email and select “View Source”.
ProtonMail:
- Open the email and click on the “More” menu, then select “View Headers”.
Zoho Mail:
- Open the email and click More Actions > View Headers.

Benefits of Analyzing Email Headers

Spam Detection: Headers help identify whether an email originated from a legitimate server or is spoofed by malicious actors.
Tracking Email Source: They provide IP addresses and server information, allowing you to trace the email’s origin.
Troubleshooting Delivery Issues: By examining headers, you can identify delays or errors during email transmission.
Security: Spot unauthorized access or tampering by analyzing timestamps and server paths.
Authentication: Validate DKIM, SPF, and DMARC records to ensure the email isn’t spoofed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions around marketing budget calculator

What is an email header?
An email header is a section of metadata included with every email. It contains routing information, sender and recipient addresses, timestamps, and server details.
Why are email headers so long?

Email headers record each step in the message’s journey across servers. The detailed logs can make them appear lengthy and technical.
How can I read email headers easily?

Use an Email Header Analyzer, a tool that decodes the raw text and presents the information in an understandable format.
Can I hide my email headers?

Headers are automatically generated and cannot be hidden. However, personal information like IP addresses may be masked depending on the email service.
What is SPF, DKIM, and DMARC in headers?
SPF ensures the email was sent from an authorized server.

DKIM verifies the email content wasn’t tampered with during transit.

DMARC helps enforce sender authentication policies.
Are email headers the same as the email body?
No. Headers contain metadata, while the body includes the actual content of the email.
Can email headers be forged?
Yes, but analyzing headers using tools can reveal inconsistencies that indicate spoofing.