To set up email accounts in cPanel, log in to cPanel, open Email Accounts in the Email section, click Create, choose the domain, enter the username and a strong password, set the storage limit and click Create. The mailbox works straight away in webmail. To use it on a phone or in Outlook, open Connect Devices next to the account for the server settings.
Before you start
- You need a hosting account with cPanel and a domain pointed to it. Email on your own domain, such as [email protected], only works once the domain’s MX records point to your mail server.
- Have your cPanel username and password ready. They are in your hosting welcome email or client area.
- Decide which addresses you need. Common ones are info@, sales@, accounts@ and one address per staff member.
Step 1: Log in to cPanel
Most hosts give you a direct login link in the client area. You can also go to https://yourdomain.com:2083 or https://yourdomain.com/cpanel and enter your cPanel username and password. Always use the https address so your login is encrypted.
Step 2: Open Email Accounts
Scroll to the Email section, or type “email” in the cPanel search bar, and click Email Accounts. You will see a list of existing mailboxes and a Create button.
Step 3: Create the email account
- Click Create.
- Domain: if the account has more than one domain, choose the one for this address.
- Username: type the part before the @, for example “sales”.
- Password: enter a strong password, or click Generate and save it somewhere safe. Alternatively, choose to send a login link to another address so the user sets their own password.
- Storage space: set a quota, such as 1 GB or 5 GB, or choose Unlimited if your plan allows. A quota stops one mailbox filling the whole account.
- Click Create.
The new mailbox appears in the list and is ready to use. Repeat for each address. The Tremhost help article on how to create an email account shows the same steps with screenshots.
Step 4: Check the mailbox in webmail
Click Check Email next to the account. cPanel opens webmail, usually Roundcube, in your browser. You can also log in directly at https://yourdomain.com:2096 or https://webmail.yourdomain.com with the full email address and its password. Send a test message to and from an outside address, such as a personal Gmail account, to confirm mail flows both ways.
Step 5: Set up email on a phone or computer
Click Connect Devices next to the account. cPanel shows the exact settings for your server, and offers automatic configuration scripts for some mail apps. Typical settings are:
- Username: the full email address.
- Incoming server: usually mail.yourdomain.com, or the server hostname shown.
- IMAP port: 993 with SSL/TLS (recommended).
- POP3 port: 995 with SSL/TLS.
- Outgoing (SMTP) server: the same as incoming.
- SMTP port: 465 with SSL/TLS, or 587 with STARTTLS. Turn on SMTP authentication.
Use IMAP if you read mail on more than one device, because it keeps the mailbox in sync on the server. POP3 downloads mail to one device and is rarely the better choice today. For a phone walkthrough, see how to set up email on your phone.
Step 6: Make sure your email is delivered
Mail from a new domain can land in spam if the domain is not authenticated. In cPanel, open Email Deliverability and check the status of three DNS records:
- SPF lists the servers allowed to send mail for your domain.
- DKIM adds a digital signature so receiving servers can check a message was not altered.
- DMARC tells receiving servers what to do with mail that fails SPF or DKIM checks.
If cPanel shows a problem and your DNS is managed elsewhere, copy the suggested records to your DNS provider. If messages still go to spam, check that the sending server is not listed on a blocklist and that messages are not sent in large bursts from a new address.
Other useful email tools in cPanel
- Forwarders: send copies of mail from one address to another, for example sales@ to a manager.
- Autoresponders: automatic replies for leave or after-hours messages.
- Default Address: decides what happens to mail sent to addresses that do not exist. Rejecting it reduces spam.
- Spam Filters: turn on spam scoring and move likely spam to a separate folder.
- Email Filters: sort or delete messages automatically based on rules.
- Manage or Delete: next to each account, change the password, quota or remove the mailbox.
Security tips
- Use a unique, strong password for every mailbox.
- Change passwords immediately when a staff member leaves.
- Use SSL/TLS ports only, never unencrypted ones.
- Watch for unexpected sent mail, which can mean an account has been compromised.
Frequently asked questions
How many email accounts can I create in cPanel?
It depends on your hosting plan. All Tremhost cPanel web hosting plans include unlimited email accounts, limited only by the plan’s storage.
Why can I receive email but not send it?
Usually the outgoing (SMTP) settings are wrong. Check the server name, port 465 or 587, the encryption type, and that SMTP authentication is on with the full email address as the username.
Should I use IMAP or POP3?
IMAP, if you check mail on more than one device. It keeps messages on the server and in sync everywhere.
Do I need separate business email hosting?
Not for most small teams. Email included with cPanel hosting works well. A dedicated email service makes sense when you need many mailboxes with large storage, or want mail kept separate from the website.
Next step
If you need mailboxes on your own domain, choose a Tremhost web hosting plan with unlimited email accounts, or compare dedicated business email plans with spam filtering and SPF, DKIM and DMARC set up for you.
