The fastest free option: online fax services with email
You can send a fax from your computer without paying anything by using a free online fax service. These services give you a fax number, let you upload a document or image, and send it to any fax machine in the world. The document arrives on the recipient's end as a standard fax—they see it on their fax machine or computer, not as an email.
The most straightforward free services are Fax.plus, eFax Free, and HelloFax. Each one lets you send a limited number of faxes per month at no cost. You create an account, upload your file (PDF, Word, image, or scanned document), enter the recipient's fax number, and hit send. The fax arrives within minutes.
The trade-off is that free accounts come with limits. Fax.plus gives you 5 free faxes per month. eFax Free allows 10 pages per month. HelloFax offers 1 free fax per month but includes a 30-day trial with more. If you need to send more than a handful of faxes, you will hit the limit quickly and either wait until the next month or pay for additional sends.
Key Takeaways
- Online fax services like Fax.plus and eFax Free let you send faxes from your computer to any fax machine for free, with monthly limits ranging from 1 to 10 faxes.
- You can also send a fax through your email by using a fax-to-email gateway, which converts your email into a fax and sends it to the recipient's fax machine.
- If you have a printer connected to your computer, you can scan a document and send it as a fax through an online service without needing the original paper.
- Some services charge per fax after you exceed the free limit, so check the pricing before you commit to a service for regular faxing.
- The recipient receives a standard fax on their machine or computer—they do not receive an email or need special software to read it.
Sending a fax through email with a fax gateway
A fax-to-email gateway lets you send a fax by composing an email. You attach your document, address it to a special email address that includes the fax number, and send it. The gateway converts your email into a fax and delivers it to the recipient's fax machine.
The most common free gateway is Google Voice combined with a third-party service, though Google Voice itself does not send faxes directly. Instead, use Fax.plus or eFax with their email-to-fax feature. You send an email to an address formatted like 5551234567@fax.plus.com, and the service converts it to a fax and sends it to that number.
This method works best if you already have the document as a file on your computer. You do not need to log into a website or upload anything manually—just compose an email, attach the file, and send. The fax arrives on the other end within minutes, just like a fax sent through the online portal.
Scanning and sending documents from your computer
If you have a paper document and a scanner or multifunction printer, you can scan it to your computer and then send it as a fax through an online service. Most modern printers include scanning software that saves the document as a PDF or image file directly to your computer.
Once the file is on your computer, upload it to your chosen fax service (Fax.plus, eFax, or HelloFax), enter the recipient's fax number, and send. The scanned document becomes the fax. This approach is useful if you need to fax a signed contract, a handwritten form, or any document that exists only on paper.
The quality of the scanned fax depends on your scanner. Use at least 200 DPI (dots per inch) for text to remain readable on the receiving end. If your scanner is set too low, the recipient may see blurry or illegible text. Most scanner software lets you adjust the DPI before you scan.
Using your computer's built-in fax capability (Windows only)
Windows computers include a fax process called Windows Fax and Scan, but it requires a fax modem—a piece of hardware that connects your computer to a phone line. Most modern computers do not have fax modems built in, so this option works only if you have an external fax modem connected via USB.
If you do have a fax modem, open Windows Fax and Scan, select "New Fax," enter the recipient's fax number, attach your document, and send. The fax travels through your phone line to the recipient's fax machine. This method does not use the internet and does not rely on a third-party service, but it requires hardware that most people no longer own.
For most users, an online fax service is simpler and more practical than hunting down a fax modem. The online route works on any computer with an internet connection and does not tie up your phone line.
Comparing the free options side by side
| Service | Free Faxes Per Month | How You Send | Requires Phone Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fax.plus | 5 | Website upload or email | No |
| eFax Free | 10 pages | Website upload or email | No |
| HelloFax | 1 (or 30-day trial) | Website upload | No |
| Windows Fax and Scan | Unlimited | Software on your computer | Yes (fax modem required) |
What happens when you exceed the free limit
Once you send your allotted free faxes for the month, most services stop you from sending more until the next billing cycle. Some services let you pay per fax (usually 50 cents to $2 per fax) to send additional ones when ready. Others require you to wait until the next month or upgrade to a paid plan.
Before you choose a service, check what happens when you hit the limit. If you only send a fax once or twice a year, the monthly limit does not matter. If you send faxes regularly, you may want to look at paid plans, which typically cost $5 to $15 per month for unlimited sends.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common error is forgetting to include the country code when you enter the fax number. In the United States, fax numbers are 10 digits; internationally, you need to add the country code (for example, +44 for the United Kingdom). If the fax does not go through, check that the number is correct and includes the country code if it is outside the US.
Another mistake is uploading a file format the service does not accept. Most services take PDF, Word documents, images (JPG, PNG), and scanned documents, but some have limits. If your upload fails, convert the file to PDF first—nearly every online fax service accepts PDFs.
Finally, do not assume the fax arrived just because the service said "sent." Some services send a confirmation email when the fax is delivered, but not all do. If the fax is important, follow up with the recipient by phone or email to confirm they received it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a fax to a fax machine if I do not have a fax number myself?
Yes. You do not need to own a fax machine or have a fax number to send a fax. You only need the recipient's fax number. Online fax services give you a fax number as part of your account, but you do not have to use it to receive faxes—you can send without ever receiving one.
What file types can I send as a fax?
Most online fax services accept PDF, Word documents (.doc, .docx), images (JPG, PNG, GIF), and scanned documents. Some services also accept Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint files. If you are unsure, convert your file to PDF before uploading—all services support PDFs.
How long does it take for a fax to arrive?
Most faxes arrive within 1 to 5 minutes after you send them. If the recipient's fax machine is busy or offline, the service may retry for several hours. You will usually get a confirmation email telling you whether the fax was delivered successfully.
Can I send a fax from my phone instead of my computer?
Yes. Most online fax services have mobile apps for iPhone and Android that work the same way as the website version. You upload a photo or document, enter the fax number, and send. The free monthly limits are the same on the app as on the website.
Is it safe to send sensitive documents through an online fax service?
Reputable fax services encrypt your documents in transit and at rest, similar to how banks protect your information online. However, if you are sending highly sensitive information, check the service's privacy policy and encryption details first. Some services offer extra security features for a fee.