You can send a fax from your computer using free online services, your email, or your internet provider's built-in fax tool

Faxing from a computer costs nothing if you use the right method. Most people have at least one free option available right now: a web-based fax service that works in your browser, an email-to-fax gateway your internet provider includes, or a free tier on a fax app. The document you want to send needs to be a PDF or image file, and the person receiving the fax needs a working fax machine or fax number on their end.

The fastest route depends on what you have on hand. If you already use Gmail, you can send a fax through Google Drive. If you have a phone number but no account anywhere, you can use a free web service like Fax.plus or eFax's free trial. If your internet bill includes phone service, check whether your provider offers fax-to-email or email-to-fax at no cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail users can send faxes free through Google Drive by installing the "Google Docs" add-on and selecting "Email & Print" to fax.
  • Web-based fax services like Fax.plus and eFax offer free monthly limits (usually 2 to 5 faxes) without requiring a credit card.
  • Your internet or phone provider may include fax-to-email or email-to-fax service at no extra cost; check your account settings or call customer service.
  • The document must be a PDF, image file (JPG, PNG), or Word document; most services convert it automatically before sending.
  • The recipient needs an active fax machine or fax number; you cannot send a fax to an email address unless they use a fax-to-email service.

Sending a fax through Gmail and Google Drive

If you have a Gmail account, you can send faxes free through Google Drive without installing anything new on your computer. Open Google Drive in your browser, click the "Create" button, select "Google Docs," and open a blank document. Click "Extensions" in the menu bar, then "Email & Print," and select "Fax" from the dropdown. A fax window will open on the right side of your screen.

Type or paste the fax number in the "To" field, making sure it includes the country code and area code (for example, +1-555-123-4567 for a US number). Upload your document or type your message. Google will convert the document to a fax-ready format automatically. Click "Send Fax" and Google will process it within a few minutes. You will see a confirmation message when the fax goes through.

This method works once per month free through Google Workspace. If you need to send more than one fax per month, you will need to pay a small fee per fax, or use a different free service for additional faxes.

Using a free web-based fax service

Web-based fax services let you send faxes from any browser without downloading software. Fax.plus, eFax, and HelloFax all offer free monthly limits. Visit the website, create a free account with your email address, and upload the document you want to fax. Enter the recipient's fax number, review the preview, and send. The fax usually arrives within minutes.

Fax.plus gives you 2 free faxes per month. eFax offers a 30-day free trial that includes 10 faxes, though it will ask for a credit card to start the trial. HelloFax includes 1 free fax per month. None of these require you to pay if you stay within the free limit, and you can use them on any computer with internet access.

The downside is that these services may ask you to create an account and verify your email. Some will show ads or limit the file size you can send (usually to 10 MB or less, which covers most documents). If you need to send more than a few faxes, the cost per fax is typically $1 to $3, but you are not charged unless you exceed your free monthly limit.

Checking your internet or phone provider for built-in fax service

Many internet and phone providers include fax service at no extra cost. If you have a landline or phone service bundled with your internet, log into your provider's account portal and look for "Fax," "Phone Settings," or "Advanced Features." Some providers offer email-to-fax, which means you can send a fax by emailing a document to a special fax number address (for example, 5551234567@fax.provider.com).

Call your provider's customer service if you cannot find the fax settings online. Tell them you want to send a fax from your computer and ask whether fax-to-email or email-to-fax is included in your plan. If it is, they can walk you through the setup, which usually takes less than five minutes. This is often the cheapest option because you are not paying anything extra.

Preparing your document before you send

The document you send must be in a format the fax service can read. PDF files work on every service. Image files (JPG, PNG) also work. Word documents (.docx) and Google Docs work on most services. Avoid sending files in unusual formats like .pages or .odt, because some services will reject them.

Before you send, make sure the document is readable. If you are faxing a scanned image, check that the text is dark enough and the page is not tilted. If you are faxing a printed document that you scanned yourself, use a scanner or phone camera app to create a clear image. Fax machines read text better than photos, so avoid sending images with shadows or glare.

Keep the file size under 10 MB if possible. Most services accept larger files, but smaller files send faster and are less likely to fail. If your document is a long PDF with many pages, you can split it into smaller files and send them as separate faxes.

Entering the fax number correctly

The fax number must be complete and accurate. In the United States, a fax number looks like this: +1-555-123-4567. The "+1" is the country code for the US and Canada. The "555" is the area code. The "123-4567" is the local number. Some services let you enter the number with or without dashes and parentheses, but including them makes the number easier to read and less likely to have a typo.

If you are sending to a fax number outside the United States, include the country code. For example, a UK fax number starts with +44. A number in Australia starts with +61. If you are not sure of the country code, search "[country name] country code" online. Double-check the number before you send, because a wrong digit will send the fax to the wrong place and you will not get a refund or a second chance.

What to do if the fax does not go through

If a fax fails to send, the service will usually tell you why. Common reasons include a wrong fax number, a fax machine that is turned off or out of paper, a busy line, or a file that is too large. Check the fax number first—call the recipient and confirm it is correct. If the number is right, ask the recipient to make sure their fax machine is on and has paper and toner.

If the fax machine is working but the fax still does not go through, try again in a few minutes. Fax machines sometimes reject calls if they are busy or if the line is poor. Most services will let you resend for free if the first attempt failed. If you keep getting the same error after three tries, contact the recipient by phone or email and ask them to check their fax machine or provide a different fax number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a fax to an email address?

Not directly. A fax goes to a fax machine or fax number. However, if the recipient has a fax-to-email service, they can give you a fax number that forwards to their email. Ask them whether they use fax-to-email before you send.

Do I need a fax machine to send a fax from my computer?

No. You only need a computer, internet connection, and the recipient's fax number. The recipient needs a fax machine or fax service on their end.

How long does it take for a fax to arrive?

Most faxes arrive within a few minutes. If the recipient's fax machine is busy or off, the service will retry automatically, usually for several hours. You will get a confirmation email when the fax is delivered.

What if I need to send more than the free monthly limit?

You can use a different free service for additional faxes, or pay per fax on the same service. Most services charge $1 to $3 per fax after you exceed the free limit. Compare prices before you choose.

Is it safe to send sensitive documents by fax?

Faxes are less find than encrypted email because they travel over phone lines and sit on a fax machine where anyone nearby can see them. If you are sending sensitive information, confirm with the recipient that they will be at the fax machine to receive it, or ask whether they prefer email instead.