cPanel includes a full mail server, so every domain on your server can have its own mailboxes such as info@example.com. This guide shows how to create an account, manage its quota and password, open Webmail, and find the settings for mail apps.
Note: You run cPanel's mail server on your own Linux VPS, so deliverability depends on your DNS and server setup. Read running email on a VPS before you rely on it.
Before you start
- A cPanel login for the account that owns the domain.
- The domain's MX record pointing to your server, if you want to receive mail here. The default cPanel zone does this when the domain uses your server's nameservers.
- SPF and DKIM set up, so your mail is trusted. See SPF, DKIM and DMARC in cPanel.
Create an email account
- In cPanel, open Email » Email Accounts.
- Click + Create.
- Choose the Domain if the account has more than one.
- Enter the Username, for example
info. The full address becomesinfo@example.com. - Choose how to set the password:
- Set password now: type a strong password or click Generate.
- Provide alternate email: cPanel emails a link so the user can set their own password.
- Under Optional Settings, set Storage Space. Choose a number of megabytes or Unlimited.
- Leave Stay on this page after I click Create ticked if you are adding several accounts.
- Click + Create.
Tip: Avoid Unlimited on a small VPS. One mailbox full of old attachments can fill the disk and stop every site and mailbox on the server.
Manage an existing account
On Email Accounts, click Manage next to an address. From there you can:
- Change the password: enter a new one under Security and click Update Email Settings.
- Change storage: raise or lower the quota under Storage.
- Restrictions: allow, suspend or hold receiving, sending and logging in. Suspend sending if the account has been compromised.
- Delete the account: at the bottom of the page.
Warning: Deleting an email account removes its mailbox and all stored messages. There is no undo. Download anything you need first.
The Email Accounts list also shows each account's used space, so you can spot mailboxes close to their quota.
Open Webmail
Each account can read mail in a browser:
- On Email Accounts, click Check Email next to the address.
- Or go to
https://example.com:2096(orhttps://webmail.example.comif that name resolves and has a certificate) and sign in with the full address and password.
cPanel's Webmail uses Roundcube. The first login may ask you to pick the default client.
Find the mail app settings
On Email Accounts, click Connect Devices next to the address. The page shows:
- Username: always the full email address.
- Incoming server with IMAP port 993 and POP3 port 995 for SSL/TLS.
- Outgoing server with SMTP port 465 for SSL/TLS.
- Download links for automatic setup scripts for common mail apps.
Use the server names shown under the secure settings. They match the certificate on the server, so mail apps do not show warnings. Full step-by-step setup is in configure Outlook, Thunderbird and phones for cPanel email.
Check it works
- Log in to Webmail as the new account.
- Send a message to an outside address you own, such as a Gmail account, and reply to it.
- Confirm both messages arrive. Check the spam folder on the outside account too.
From SSH, you can confirm the mailbox exists on disk:
ls /home/USER/mail/example.com/You should see a folder named after the mailbox, such as info.
Troubleshooting
- "Password does not meet strength requirements": WHM sets a minimum strength. Click Generate, or use a longer password with mixed characters.
- Mail stops arriving for one account: the mailbox is full. Raise the quota or delete old mail. See fix cPanel email not receiving.
- Webmail certificate warning: use the server hostname address or make sure AutoSSL covers
webmail.example.com. - Sent mail lands in spam: SPF, DKIM or reverse DNS is missing. Check Email » Email Deliverability.
Next steps
- Set up mail apps: configure Outlook, Thunderbird and phones.
- Forward mail elsewhere: email forwarders in cPanel.