Subdomain Email Generator — More Domains to Pick From
Most domains in the email generator look like example.com: a name and an ending. Some look like mail.example.com or inbox.example.net, with one more word in front. That word makes it a subdomain. Addresses on subdomains receive mail exactly like any other — they simply widen the choice. This page explains what they are, when they are worth switching on, and when a plain domain is the better pick.
What a subdomain is
A domain name is read from the end. Take shop.example.com:
| Part | What it is |
|---|---|
com | the ending (top-level domain) |
example.com | the registered domain, the part someone bought |
shop.example.com | a subdomain the owner of example.com created under it |
Some endings have two parts. In example.co.uk the ending is co.uk, so example.co.uk is an ordinary domain, not a subdomain, even though it has two dots. What matters is whether there's anything in front of the registered name.
Does a subdomain address work differently?
Not for you. anna@shop.example.com is a complete, valid address. You open it by typing it, new messages appear on their own, and every name before the @ is a separate mailbox — exactly as on any other domain in the email generator.
Subdomain or plain domain?
| You want… | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| a code from a big, strict service | plain domain | short addresses look more ordinary to sign-up forms |
| a name that's free on the site you're joining | subdomain | fewer visitors see subdomains, so fewer names are used |
| something different from your usual addresses | subdomain | many more domains to choose from |
| an address to read out or type on a phone | plain domain | shorter and easier to dictate |
| the most dependable inbox for the next weeks | plain domain | fewer settings that can change under it |
Why you might want them
- More choice. Subdomains add many more domains to the list, which helps when you want an address that looks different from the ones you've used before.
- Names are less likely to be taken. Because subdomains are off by default, fewer people see them, and a popular name in front of the
@is less likely to be in someone else's use. - Wildcard domains are subdomains too. On a wildcard domain you choose the subdomain yourself: any word in front of the domain works.
Why they are off by default
- More can go wrong. A subdomain depends on two sets of settings: those of the registered domain and its own. A change at either level can stop mail from arriving, so subdomains are, on average, a little less reliable — you can see the share of each kind on how many email generator domains work.
- Longer to type and read. Short addresses are easier to remember and fit into narrow sign-up fields.
- Some forms are picky. Now and then a form rejects an address with several dots after the
@. If that happens, pick a plain domain instead — and see what else to try when a code doesn't arrive.
Turning them on
Open the settings and use the Second level domains switch:
| Switch | What you get |
|---|---|
| Off (default) | the list shows plain domains only |
| On | subdomains can appear among plain domains |
The change applies the next time you open the list, with no page reload. The address you already have stays as it is.
A subdomain of your own
If you own a domain, you can receive mail in the email generator on just one subdomain of it. For example, keep example.com for your real mail and point only temp.example.com here. To do that, add an MX record for the name temp rather than for the whole domain. The values are the same as in New Email Generator domain name, and How to add an MX record shows where to enter them at popular registrars. Your real mailboxes on example.com stay untouched.
Frequently asked questions
Is a subdomain address a real email address?
Yes. name@mail.example.com is fully valid and receives mail like any other address.
Why don't I see any subdomains in the list?
They're off by default. Turn on Second level domains in the settings and open the list again.
Will a site refuse a subdomain address?
Most accept it. Strict forms sometimes prefer short, plain addresses — if one refuses, pick a plain domain.
Are subdomains less reliable?
Slightly, on average, because a subdomain depends on its own settings and on those of the parent domain. For a one-off code the difference rarely matters.
Can I point only a subdomain of my domain to the email generator?
Yes. Add an MX record for that subdomain alone; mail for the main domain keeps going where it goes now.