### [How to Set Up SendGrid in WordPress (Step by Step)](https://wpmailsmtp.com/how-to-set-up-sendgrid-in-wordpress-step-by-step/)

**Published:** August 28, 2026
**Author:** David Ozokoye

**Excerpt:** Is SendGrid still worth it for WordPress now that the free plan is gone?

This walkthrough covers the full setup: domain authentication, API keys, and connecting everything with the WP Mail SMTP Setup Wizard.

You'll also learn which advanced settings people miss, and how to confirm authentication worked in Gmail.

**Content:**

Do you want to fix your WordPress email issues with the SendGrid provider?

Connecting SendGrid to WordPress used to be the default free fix for email problems. It isn’t free anymore, and that’s worth knowing before you start.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to connect SendGrid to WordPress with the WP Mail SMTP Setup Wizard.

[Fix Your WordPress Emails Now](https://wpmailsmtp.com/pricing/)

- [What Is SendGrid, and Is It Still Free?](#aioseo-what-is-sendgrid-and-is-it-still-free)
- [How to Create a SendGrid Account](#aioseo-how-to-create-a-sendgrid-account)
- [How to Authenticate Your Domain in SendGrid](#aioseo-how-to-authenticate-your-domain-in-sendgrid)
- [How to Create a SendGrid API Key](#aioseo-how-to-create-a-sendgrid-api-key)
- [How to Connect SendGrid to WordPress With the Setup Wizard](#aioseo-how-to-connect-sendgrid-to-wordpress-with-the-setup-wizard)
- [How to Send a Test Email](#aioseo-how-to-send-a-test-email)
- [What to Do if Your SendGrid Test Email Fails](#aioseo-what-to-do-if-your-sendgrid-test-email-fails)

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## What Is SendGrid, and Is It Still Free?

SendGrid is an email delivery service that sends your site’s mail through its API instead of your web host’s mail server. And no, it’s no longer free permanently.

Twilio retired SendGrid’s free plan on May 27, 2025. What’s left is a 60-day trial that sends up to 100 emails a day. After that, you move to a paid plan or you stop sending.

That’s the honest starting point. Here’s what you get for it:

- **API-based sending.** More secure and more reliable than plain SMTP.
- **Domain authentication.** DNS records prove your mail is really from your domain.
- **Delivery activity.** You can see what was delivered, deferred, or bounced.
- **Scale.** SendGrid handles volume that shared hosting can’t.

SendGrid needs DNS access to set up properly, and it needs an email address on a domain you own. Addresses at `@gmail.com` or `@yahoo.com` aren’t suitable here.

**Note:** Not sure SendGrid is the right pick now that the free plan is gone? WP Mail SMTP supports 17 other mailers. Our [SendGrid review](https://wpmailsmtp.com/twilio-sendgrid-review/) covers the current pricing in detail, and [best SMTP servers](https://wpmailsmtp.com/best-smtp-servers/) compares the alternatives.

## How to Create a SendGrid Account

Sign up on [SendGrid’s pricing page](https://sendgrid.com/pricing) and pick the plan that fits your sending volume.

![The SendGrid pricing page](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/sendgrid-pricing-page-1024x644.png)The steps below are the same regardless of which plan you choose. Next, create your username and password.

![The SendGrid signup form](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/sendgrid-signup-form-1024x895.png)SendGrid then asks a few questions about your business. Fill in the required fields and click **Get Started!**

![SendGrid account details questions](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sendgrid-account-details-1024x623.png)## How to Authenticate Your Domain in SendGrid

Before you can start sending emails with SendGrid, you’ll need to verify your sending domain.

For this, log in to your SendGrid account and navigate to **Settings** » **Sender Authentication**. Then start Domain Authentication.

![The Sender Authentication menu in SendGrid](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/click-sender-authentication-1024x666.png)### Single Sender or Domain Authentication: Which Should You Use?

Use domain authentication. A single sender gets you sending faster, but it won’t hold up.

**Single sender****Domain authentication**Setup time2 minutes15 minutes plus DNS waitNeeds DNS accessNoYesRemoves “via sendgrid.net”NoYesReliable deliveryNoYesGood forA quick testA live siteA single sender verifies one address and nothing more. Domain authentication proves you own the whole domain, which is what inbox providers actually check.

In the **Domain Authentication** section, click **Get Started**.

![The Domain Authentication Get Started button](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/domain-auth-get-started-button-1024x498.png)SendGrid asks 2 questions. Pick your DNS host from the list, or choose **Other Host (Not Listed)**. Then answer yes to branding your links, so links in your emails use your domain instead of SendGrid’s.

Click **Next**.

![Answering SendGrid's DNS host questions](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/click-next-button-1024x642.png)Enter your site’s domain, like `example.com`.

![Entering a domain for SendGrid authentication](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/sendgrid-authenticate-from-domain-1-1024x510.png)### Which Advanced Settings Do You Need to Change?

Open **Advanced Settings** and change 3 things. Skip this and your DNS records won’t verify the way WP Mail SMTP expects.

1. **Uncheck** Use automated security.
2. **Check** Use custom return path.
3. Enter a subdomain in the **Return Path** field.

![SendGrid domain authentication advanced settings](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/sendgrid-domain-authentication-advanced-settings-1024x749.png)A subdomain replaces the “www” in your address. SendGrid only uses it to send mail, so it never appears on your site.

Use `sg` unless you have a reason not to. SendGrid recommends avoiding `mail`, since many hosts already use it, and avoiding underscores, which some DNS providers reject.

Click **Next** to continue.

![The Next button in SendGrid advanced settings](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/click-next-button-advance-settings-1024x624.png)### How to Add SendGrid’s DNS Records

SendGrid shows you a list of records to add to your DNS.

![The DNS records SendGrid asks you to add](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/sendgrid-dns-records-1024x559.png)Open your DNS settings and add each record exactly as shown. Copy the values carefully, since one wrong character stops verification.

**Note:** Some hosts append your domain automatically. If yours does, enter just `sg` instead of `sg.example.com` for the hostname. Our [guide to DNS email configuration](https://wpmailsmtp.com/a-beginners-guide-to-dns-email-configuration/) walks through the common providers.

If there’s a TTL field, set it to one day (86400 seconds).

Back in SendGrid, check the box labeled **I have added these records**, then click **Verify**.

![Verifying DNS records in SendGrid](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/click-verify-1024x150.png)DNS changes can take up to 48 hours. When they land, you’ll see a success message.

![SendGrid confirming DNS records are verified](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DNS-records-are-verified-1024x439.jpg)[Fix Your WordPress Emails Now](https://wpmailsmtp.com/pricing/)

## How to Create a SendGrid API Key

In SendGrid, click **Email API** » **Integration Guide** in the left menu.

![The Email API Integration Guide menu in SendGrid](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SendGrid-email-api-integration-guide-1-1024x395.png)Click **Choose** under **SMTP Relay**.

![Choosing SMTP Relay in SendGrid](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Choose-SMTP-Relay-for-SendGrid-setup-1024x628.jpg)Name your key, then click **Create Key**.

![Naming a new SendGrid API key](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Create-API-key-for-SendGrid-1024x470.jpg)SendGrid generates the key. Leave this page open because you’ll paste it into WordPress next.

![A generated SendGrid API key](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/API-key-for-SendGrid-account-1024x382.jpg)**Important:** The key needs **Mail Send** access. Keys created through the Integration Guide have it by default. If you build one by hand under **Settings » API Keys**, grant Mail Send access; otherwise, your emails will be rejected.

## How to Connect SendGrid to WordPress With the Setup Wizard

The Setup Wizard walks you through the plugin side in 6 steps and fills in the settings as you go.

### Step 1: Launch the Setup Wizard

Go to **WP Mail SMTP** » **Settings** in your WordPress dashboard. Click **Launch Setup Wizard** below the Primary Connection section.

![The Launch Setup Wizard button in WP Mail SMTP settings](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/launch-setup-wizard-1024x527.png)**Note:** The wizard only configures your Primary Connection. Extra connections have to be set up by hand.

Click **Let’s Get Started**.

![The Let's Get Started button in the WP Mail SMTP Setup Wizard](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/click-lets-get-started-button-1024x817.png)### Step 2: Select Your Mailer

Click **SendGrid** in the mailer grid, then click **Save and Continue**.

![WP Mail SMTP Setup Wizard mailer selection screen with SendGrid selected](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/img_20_wizard-choose-sendgrid.png "WP Mail SMTP Setup Wizard Mailer Selection Screen With Sendgrid Selected")### Step 3: Enter Your SendGrid Settings

The wizard shows only the fields SendGrid needs. There are 4, in this order:

1. **API Key.** Paste the key from SendGrid.
2. **Sending Domain.** The full subdomain you authenticated, such as `sg.example.com`.
3. **From Name.** The sender name on your site’s emails. Turn on **Force From Name** to apply it everywhere.
4. **From Email.** An address on the domain you authenticated, like `support@example.com`. Turn on **Force From Email** so every email uses it.

**Warning:** The Sending Domain has to be the whole subdomain, not just `example.com`. Getting this wrong is a common cause of domain check errors on test emails.

![WP Mail SMTP Setup Wizard SendGrid settings step showing the API Key and Sending Domain fields](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/img_21_wizard-sendgrid-settings.png "WP Mail SMTP Setup Wizard Sendgrid Settings Step Showing The API Key And Sending Domain Fields")Click **Save and Continue**.

### Step 4: Enable Advanced Email Features

Leave Improved Email Deliverability and Email Error Tracking on. They’re on by default and can’t be turned off.

The rest are worth considering:

- **Detailed Email Logs.** A record of every email your site sends.
- **Complete Email Reports.** Deliverability stats over time. Needs logs enabled.
- **Weekly Email Summary.** A weekly digest of your sending. Needs logs enabled.
- **Instant Email Alerts.** Notifies you by email, SMS, Slack, or webhook when a send fails.

![Selecting email features in the WP Mail SMTP Setup Wizard](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/select-email-features-1024x912.png)**Note:** Email logging needs a paid [WP Mail SMTP license](https://wpmailsmtp.com/pricing/ "Pricing").

If you turned on logs, the next screen asks what to store. Choose your options and click **Save and Continue**.

![Configuring email log options in the Setup Wizard](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/configure-email-logs-1-865x1024.png)### Step 5: Verify Your License (Optional)

Finally, paste your license key and click **Verify License Key**. Or click **Skip this Step** and do it later.

![Entering a license key in the WP Mail SMTP Setup Wizard](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/wp-mail-smtp-setup-wizard-license-key-1024x650.png)If you’d like to access automatic updates and advanced features, a valid license key is required.

## How to Send a Test Email

The wizard sends one automatically at the end of setup.

If everything’s right, you’ll see “Congrats, you’ve successfully set up WP Mail SMTP!” Click **Finish Setup**.

![The WP Mail SMTP Setup Wizard success screen](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/finish-setup-1024x944.png)You can run more tests any time from **WP Mail SMTP » Tools » Email Test**.

![Send a test email](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/test-email-tab.png)Want to confirm that the authentication worked? Send yourself a test, open it in your email client, and expand the sender details. A properly authenticated domain won’t show “via sendgrid.net”.

![Checking SendGrid domain authentication in Gmail sender details](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Gmail-verify-SendGrid-domain-authentication-1024x430.png)## What to Do if Your SendGrid Test Email Fails

Click **Start Troubleshooting** on the wizard’s error screen to see the real error message.

![The WP Mail SMTP Setup Wizard troubleshooting screen](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/wp-mail-smtp-setup-wizard-troubleshooting-1024x842.png)Four causes account for nearly every failed SendGrid setup:

**What went wrong****How to fix it**DNS hasn’t propagatedWait up to 48 hours, then click **Verify** in SendGrid againSending Domain mismatchUse the full authenticated subdomain, like `sg.example.com`API key lacks Mail SendCreate a new key through Email API » Integration GuideOld TLS versionAsk your host to move you to TLS 1.2 or aboveA fifth one catches people out: leaving **Use automated security** checked during domain authentication. That produces a different set of DNS records than the ones this setup expects.

Still stuck? Our guide to [WP Mail SMTP not sending test emails](https://wpmailsmtp.com/how-to-fix-wp-mail-smtp-not-sending-test-email/) covers the rarer errors.

**Pro Tip:** Add a [Backup Connection](https://wpmailsmtp.com/docs/configuring-backup-connection/ "Configuring a Backup Connection") with a second mailer. If SendGrid fails or your trial runs out, WP Mail SMTP sends the email through the backup instead of dropping it. SendLayer has a Quick Connect option that skips the domain verification process. Check our [Quick Connect guide](https://wpmailsmtp.com/docs/how-to-setup-the-sendlayer-mailer-using-quick-connect/ "How to Setup the SendLayer Mailer Using Quick Connect") for more details.

### Frequently Asked Questions

### Is SendGrid still free for WordPress?

No. Twilio retired SendGrid’s permanent free plan on May 27, 2025. New accounts get a 60-day trial with up to 100 emails per day, then must switch to a paid plan.

### Do I need a plugin to use SendGrid with WordPress?

Yes. WordPress can’t access SendGrid’s API on its own. SMTP plugins like WP Mail SMTP make the connection and route every `wp_mail()` call through SendGrid.

### Why are my SendGrid emails not sending in WordPress?

Check your domain authentication status in SendGrid first. After that, check 3 things: a Sending Domain missing its subdomain, an API key without Mail Send access, or an old TLS version.

### What’s the difference between a single sender and domain authentication?

A single sender verifies one email address. Domain authentication verifies your whole domain with DNS records and removes the “via sendgrid.net” label. It’s the only one of the two that delivers reliably.

### What are the best SendGrid alternatives for WordPress?

WP Mail SMTP supports 17 mailers, so you have options if the pricing no longer works. Mailgun, Brevo, Postmark, and Amazon SES are all common switches. Our [best SMTP servers](https://wpmailsmtp.com/best-smtp-servers/) guide compares them on price and deliverability.

## Next, Learn WordPress Email Deliverability Best Practices

With SendGrid connected, the next thing I’d read is our guide to [WordPress email deliverability best practices](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wordpress-email-deliverability-best-practices/). It covers the habits that keep your sending reputation healthy: list hygiene, bounce handling, and the records inbox providers check. Domain authentication got you to the inbox, and that post is how you stay there.

[Fix Your WordPress Emails Now](https://wpmailsmtp.com/pricing/)

Ready to fix your emails? [Get started today](https://wpmailsmtp.com/pricing) with the best WordPress SMTP plugin. If you don’t have the time to fix your emails, you can get full White Glove Setup assistance as an extra purchase, and there’s a 14-day money-back guarantee for all paid plans.

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**Categories:** WordPress Tutorials

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