📧 Email Header Analyzer

Analyze email headers to detect spoofing, track email routes, and identify security issues

Version 2.1.0 - Updated September 2025
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Paste the full email header here. In Gmail, click the three dots → Show original. In Outlook, right-click the email → View source.
Analysis results will appear here

Embed This Tool

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<iframe src="https://yoursite.com/email-header-analyzer" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>

🎯 Email Header Examples & Information

✅ Legitimate Email Header

Example of a properly authenticated email header:

Received: from mail.server.com (192.168.1.1) by recipient.server.com with ESMTPS id ABC123; Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:30:00 +0000 From: "Sender Name" <sender@domain.com> To: recipient@example.com Subject: Legitimate Email Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:30:00 +0000 Message-ID: <123456@domain.com> Authentication-Results: recipient.server.com; spf=pass smtp.mailfrom=domain.com; dkim=pass header.d=domain.com; dmarc=pass header.from=domain.com

Characteristics: Proper SPF, DKIM, DMARC authentication

❌ Spoofed Email Header

Example of a spoofed email with failed authentication:

Received: from unknown.server.com (10.0.0.1) by recipient.server.com with SMTP id XYZ789; Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:35:00 +0000 From: "Bank Security" <security@yourbank.com> To: victim@example.com Subject: Urgent: Verify Your Account Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:35:00 +0000 Message-ID: <789012@unknown.com> Authentication-Results: recipient.server.com; spf=fail smtp.mailfrom=yourbank.com; dkim=fail header.d=yourbank.com; dmarc=fail header.from=yourbank.com

Warning Signs: Failed SPF, DKIM, DMARC, suspicious IP

🔍 Forwarded Email Header

Example showing multiple received headers from forwarding:

Received: from forward.server.com (192.168.2.1) by final.server.com with ESMTPS id DEF456; Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:40:00 +0000 Received: from original.server.com (192.168.1.2) by forward.server.com with SMTP id GHI789; Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:39:00 +0000 From: original@sender.com To: final@recipient.com Subject: Forwarded Message

Note: Multiple received headers show the email path

📱 Mobile Email Header

Example header from mobile email client:

Received: from mobile.relay.com (10.20.30.40) by mail.server.com with ESMTPSA id JKL012; Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:45:00 +0000 From: mobileuser@domain.com To: recipient@example.com Subject: From Mobile Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:45:00 +0000 User-Agent: iPhone Mail (16A5288q) X-Mailer: iPhone Mail (16A5288q)

Characteristics: Mobile relay server, user agent info

📚 Email Header Analysis Tutorials

📧

Understanding Email Headers: A Complete Guide

Learn how to read and interpret email headers, including all the important fields and what they mean for email security.

Read Tutorial →
🛡️

SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Explained

Understand the three key email authentication protocols and how they work together to prevent email spoofing.

Read Tutorial →
🔍

Detecting Email Spoofing and Phishing

Learn the telltale signs of spoofed emails and how to use header analysis to identify phishing attempts.

Read Tutorial →
🌐

Tracking Email Routes and Origins

How to trace an email's path through the internet using the Received headers and IP address information.

Read Tutorial →
⚙️

Advanced Header Analysis Techniques

Advanced methods for analyzing complex email headers, including dealing with forwarded emails and mailing lists.

Read Tutorial →
📊

Email Header Forensics

Forensic techniques for investigating suspicious emails, including timestamp analysis and server verification.

Read Tutorial →

⚖️ Email Header Analyzer Comparison

Compare our free email header analyzer with other popular tools and services:

Feature Our Tool Tool A Tool B Tool C
Free to Use ❌ (Premium)
SPF/DKIM/DMARC Analysis
Security Risk Assessment
IP Geolocation
No Data Storage
Detailed Explanations
Mobile Friendly
Export Results
Educational Content

Why Choose Our Email Header Analyzer?

🔒 Privacy First

We don't store your email headers or analysis results. All processing happens in your browser for maximum privacy.

🛡️ Comprehensive Security Analysis

Detailed analysis of SPF, DKIM, DMARC authentication and identification of potential security risks.

📊 Detailed Visual Reports

Clear, organized presentation of header information with security indicators and explanations.

🎓 Educational Focus

Not just a tool - includes comprehensive guides, examples, and tutorials to help you understand email security.

📝 Version History & Changelog

Version 2.1.0 - Latest

September 15, 2025
  • 🎉 Added visual security indicators for quick risk assessment
  • 📊 Enhanced header parsing with better error handling
  • 📱 Improved mobile responsiveness and touch interactions
  • 🔧 Added embed code functionality for easy integration
  • 📚 Expanded educational content and examples
  • 🎨 Updated UI with better accessibility and contrast

Version 2.0.0

August 20, 2025
  • 🔄 Complete UI redesign with modern styling
  • 📚 Added comprehensive tutorial section
  • 📝 Introduced tabbed navigation for better organization
  • ⚖️ Added tool comparison feature
  • 💾 Implemented download functionality for analysis reports
  • 📋 Enhanced copy functionality with better feedback

Version 1.2.0

July 10, 2025
  • ✅ Added DMARC policy analysis and reporting
  • 🛡️ Improved security risk assessment algorithms
  • 📖 Added real-world examples and case studies
  • 🐛 Fixed parsing issues with complex header formats
  • ♿ Enhanced accessibility with ARIA labels

Version 1.1.0

June 5, 2025
  • 🎨 Improved visual design with gradient backgrounds
  • 📱 Added responsive design for mobile devices
  • ⚠️ Added warnings for suspicious header patterns
  • 📋 Implemented one-click copy functionality
  • 🔧 Fixed layout issues on smaller screens

Version 1.0.0

May 15, 2025
  • 🎉 Initial release of Email Header Analyzer
  • 🔍 Support for basic email header parsing
  • ⚡ SPF and DKIM authentication analysis
  • 📚 Comprehensive documentation and examples
  • ✨ Clean, modern user interface

🔮 Upcoming Features

📋 Planned for Next Release:

  • Bulk header analysis for multiple emails
  • Historical analysis and trend reporting
  • Integration with threat intelligence feeds
  • Advanced forensic timeline analysis
  • Dark/Light theme toggle
  • API access for developers
  • Browser extension for quick analysis

What Are Email Headers?

Email headers are the hidden part of every email that contains technical details about the message's journey from sender to recipient. They include information about the sender, recipient, route taken, authentication results, and more.

🟢 Important Email Header Fields

✅ Key Header Fields to Analyze:

  • From: The apparent sender of the email (can be spoofed)
  • To: The recipient(s) of the email
  • Subject: The email subject line
  • Date: When the email was sent
  • Received: The path the email took through servers
  • Message-ID: A unique identifier for the email
  • Return-Path: Where bounces should be sent
  • Authentication-Results: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC results

🔴 Common Email Header Security Issues

❌ Security Red Flags:

  • Failed SPF, DKIM, or DMARC authentication
  • Mismatch between From address and envelope sender
  • Suspicious IP addresses in Received headers
  • Inconsistent timestamps in the email path
  • Missing or malformed Message-ID
  • Unusual user agents or email clients

Email Authentication Protocols

📨 SPF (Sender Policy Framework)

SPF allows domain owners to specify which mail servers are authorized to send email from their domain.

🔐 DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)

DKIM uses cryptographic signatures to verify that an email was sent by an authorized server and wasn't tampered with.

🛡️ DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication)

DMARC builds on SPF and DKIM, allowing domain owners to specify how to handle emails that fail authentication.

🌐 BIM (Brand Indicators for Message Identification)

An emerging standard that helps identify legitimate emails from trusted brands.

How Email Header Analysis Works

Our email header analyzer processes headers through several stages:

  1. Parsing: Breaking down the header into individual fields and values
  2. Authentication Check: Verifying SPF, DKIM, and DMARC results
  3. Route Analysis: Tracing the email's path through Received headers
  4. Security Assessment: Identifying potential security issues and red flags
  5. Report Generation: Creating a comprehensive analysis report

Email Header Analysis Best Practices

🔐 Recommended Email Security Services

Enhance your email security with these trusted solutions: