HostGator SMTP settings: mail.yourdomain.com or gatorNNNN.hostgator.com, port 465
HostGator email SMTP: host mail.yourdomain.com or the gator server hostname, port 465 SSL or 587 STARTTLS, full mailbox address and password. Hourly limits (500/hour) and WordPress setup.
HostGator outgoing mail server:
mail.yourdomain.com, port <code>465</code> (SSL/TLS) or <code>587</code> (STARTTLS) or <code>25</code> (STARTTLS), username = the full mailbox address, password = the mailbox password from cPanel.
HostGator SMTP settings at a glance
| Outgoing (SMTP) host | mail.yourdomain.com — or gatorNNNN.hostgator.com (the server hostname from cPanel) for a valid TLS certificate |
|---|---|
| Ports & encryption |
465 — SSL/TLS587 — STARTTLS25 — STARTTLS <em>(from HostGator servers only)</em> |
| Username | the full mailbox address |
| Password | the mailbox password from cPanel |
| Authentication | cPanel mailbox credentials; the hostname is listed in cPanel → General Information → Server Name. |
How to set up HostGator SMTP
- cPanel → Email Accounts → create the mailbox.
- App settings: host mail.yourdomain.com (or gatorNNNN.hostgator.com), port 465 SSL/TLS, username = full address, password = mailbox password.
Sending limits
- HostGator shared plans allow about 500 outgoing emails per hour per domain; bulk mail is against the terms.
Things that catch people out
- Reseller/VPS plans have different limits; check the plan page.
Common HostGator SMTP errors
| Server reply | Meaning | Fix |
|---|---|---|
550 Domain has exceeded the max emails per hour | cPanel cap. | Throttle or relay. |
More codes: 535 authentication failed, 550 relay denied, 554 rejected as spam, connection timed out — or all SMTP error codes.
When HostGator is not enough for your app
When a provider caps you or blocks a port, point the same app at QueenSMTP instead: host smtp.queensmtp.com, port 587 (STARTTLS) or 465 (SSL), your SMTP username and password from the dashboard. $5/year plus $0.10 per 1,000 emails, 100 free a day to test.
Get SMTP credentials — free to test Test HostGator nowRelated settings
HostGator SMTP — questions
mail.yourdomain.com or your gatorNNNN.hostgator.com hostname on port 465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS), with the full mailbox address and password.
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