Can I use my free domain for email? (MX records + custom nameservers)

[wearegravite]

The registration page mentions connecting a DNS provider through custom nameservers. If I move my DNS to a provider like Cloudflare, can I also set up email on the domain, for example with Zoho or Google Workspace? Which records do I need (MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and are there any limits on that with a free domain?

[mujtbabbas]

Yes — once your domain's DNS is managed at a full DNS provider (which is what the custom nameserver option gives you), email works the same as on any paid domain. The domain itself does not limit this; the records are what matter:

1. MX records from your mail provider (Zoho, Google Workspace, etc.) — they give you 2-5 MX entries with priorities; add them exactly as provided.
2. SPF: one TXT record on the root, e.g. v=spf1 include:<provider> ~all. Only ever keep ONE SPF record; merge providers into it if you add a second sender.
3. DKIM: the provider generates a key; you publish it as a TXT record on a selector host like selector1._domainkey. Without DKIM your mail lands in spam much more often.
4. DMARC: a TXT record on _dmarc, starting with v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:you@example.com so you get reports, then tighten to p=quarantine or p=reject later.

Two practical notes: changes propagate in minutes to a few hours, and if you ever change nameservers again you must re-create all of these records at the new provider — that is the step people forget and then wonder why mail stopped.