Send an email using Telnet

Here are simple steps on how to send an email using telnet. This a great way to test your mail server configuration such as exim, sendmail or postfix without a need for a email client. First telnet to yor mail server:

$ telnet mail.mymailserver.com 25

Use HELO command to tell mail server from which domain you are coming from:

HELO linuxconfig.org

Now we need to state from which address this email will be sent. This is done with MAIL FROM: command:

MAIL FROM: someaddress@linuxconfig.org
 

Next step is to specify recipient with RCPT TO:. Use RCPT TO: multiple times if you would like to send your email to multiple email addresses.

RCPT TO: some@email.add

Now we ca star writing some subject and body. To do that we need to use DATA command. First type DATA followed by Subject: and body. Once done enter . to send email to be queued.

DATA
Subject: Sending an email using telnet

Hello,

Here is my body? Do you like it?

cheers
.

Do not forget "." at the end of the message. To quit type

quit