How to Send a Fax From Your Computer Without a Fax Machine

The fastest way to fax from your computer

You can send a fax directly from your computer using an online fax service, your email, or built-in fax software — you do not need a physical fax machine or a phone line. The method you choose depends on how often you fax, whether you need to receive faxes, and whether you want to pay a subscription or use a free option.

Most people use an online fax service like eFax, Fax.plus, or HelloFax, which lets you upload a document, enter a fax number, and send it within minutes. Some services charge per fax; others charge a monthly subscription. A few email-to-fax services are free but limit how many pages you can send each month.

Key Takeaways

Online fax services are the most common route and work on any computer with internet access, no special hardware required.
Email-to-fax services let you send a fax by attaching a document to an email and sending it to a special address, though free versions usually limit you to 5 to 10 pages per month.
Microsoft Word and some other programs have built-in fax options, but they require a fax modem or connection to an online service.
Most online fax services charge between $5 and $20 per month for a basic plan that includes sending and receiving a set number of faxes.

Using an online fax service

Online fax services are the most straightforward option. You create an account on the service's website, upload your document (as a PDF, Word file, or image), enter the recipient's fax number, and send. The service transmits your document over the internet to the recipient's fax machine. Most services take 5 to 15 minutes to deliver.

Popular services include eFax, Fax.plus, and HelloFax. Each has a slightly different interface, but the process is the same: sign up, add payment information, upload your file, and enter the fax number. Some services let you send a test fax for free before you commit to a paid plan. Check whether the service charges per fax or offers a monthly subscription with a set number of faxes included.

If you fax only once or twice a year, a pay-per-fax service may be cheaper than a monthly subscription. If you fax regularly, a monthly plan usually costs less over time. Many services also offer fax-receiving capability, which means you get a dedicated fax number and can receive incoming faxes as email attachments or PDFs.

Sending a fax through email

Some services let you send a fax by emailing a document to a special address. You attach your file to an email, address it to a number formatted as an email address (for example, 5551234567@fax.com), and send. The service converts the email and attachment into a fax and delivers it to the recipient's fax machine.

Free email-to-fax services like FaxZero and Fax2Mail allow a limited number of free faxes per month — usually 5 to 10 pages — before charging a fee. This works well if you fax rarely. The downside is that free services often add a cover page with advertising, and you cannot receive faxes. If you need to send more than your monthly limit, you pay per fax or switch to a paid service.

Using fax software built into Windows or Mac

Windows and macOS both have fax capabilities built in, though they require additional setup. On Windows, the Fax and Scan app (included with Windows 10 and 11) can send faxes if your computer has a fax modem or is connected to an online fax service. On Mac, you can print to fax from most applications using the Print dialog.

To use Windows Fax and Scan, open the app, click "New Fax," select your document, enter the recipient's fax number, and send. On Mac, open your document, go to File > Print, click the dropdown menu that says "PDF," select "Fax PDF," and follow the prompts. Both methods require that your computer either has a fax modem installed or is set up to use an online fax service as the backend.

This option is useful if you already have fax software installed and configured, but it is not the easiest route for most people. Setting up a fax modem or connecting to an online service through the operating system's fax tool takes more steps than using an online service directly.

What documents you can fax from your computer

You can fax any document your computer can open or display: PDFs, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, images (JPG, PNG, TIFF), and scanned documents. If you have a physical document, scan it first using a scanner or a smartphone scanning app like Microsoft Lens or Adobe Scan, save it as a PDF, and then upload it to your fax service.

Most online fax services accept files up to 25 MB, which covers nearly all documents. If your file is larger, compress it before uploading or split it into multiple faxes. Some services have limits on the number of pages per fax — typically 50 to 100 pages — so check your service's rules if you are sending a long document.

Cost comparison: free, pay-per-fax, and monthly plans

Free email-to-fax services like FaxZero let you send 5 to 10 pages per month at no cost, but they add advertising to your cover page and do not offer fax receiving. This works if you fax very rarely.

Pay-per-fax services charge $1 to $3 per fax, regardless of page count. This is cheapest if you send fewer than 5 faxes per month. HelloFax and Fax.plus both offer this option.

Monthly subscriptions typically cost $5 to $20 per month and include 50 to 500 faxes per month, depending on the plan. eFax's basic plan costs around $10 per month and includes 100 faxes sent and received. If you fax more than 5 times per month, a monthly plan usually costs less than paying per fax.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Online fax services send faxes over the internet, so you need only a computer and an internet connection. You do not need a physical fax machine, a fax modem, or a phone line. The recipient receives the fax on their fax machine as if it came from a traditional fax device.

How long does it take to send a fax from my computer?

Most online fax services deliver within 5 to 15 minutes. Some deliver within seconds, but delays can happen if the recipient's fax machine is busy or offline. If the fax does not go through, the service usually retries automatically and notifies you of the result.

Can I receive faxes on my computer?

Yes, if you use a paid online fax service that includes receiving. You get a dedicated fax number, and incoming faxes arrive as email attachments or PDFs in your account. Free email-to-fax services do not offer receiving. Most paid services include both sending and receiving in the same monthly plan.

What if the fax does not go through?

Online fax services automatically retry failed faxes, usually up to 3 or 4 times over several hours. If it still fails, the service sends you a notification with the reason — usually that the number was invalid or the recipient's machine was offline. You can then verify the fax number and try again.

Is it safe to send sensitive documents by fax from my computer?

Reputable online fax services use encryption to protect documents in transit and at rest. Check the service's privacy policy and security features before sending sensitive information like medical records or financial documents. Most paid services offer better security than free services.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.