How to Send a Fax From Your Computer (Step-by-Step)
You need to send a fax but you don't have a fax machine. Good news: you don't need one. Your computer — Windows, Mac, or Chromebook — can send a fax in just a few minutes. Here are three ways to do it.
Method 1: Use an Online Fax Service (Easiest)
This is the fastest way for most people. An online fax service lets you upload a document, enter a fax number, and hit send — all from your web browser.
Step-by-step:
- Choose a service — Sign up for an online fax provider. Most offer free trials or a small number of free pages. (See our free fax services comparison for options.)
- Log in to the web portal — Open the service's website in your browser.
- Click "Send Fax" or "New Fax" — Every service has this prominently placed.
- Enter the recipient's fax number — Include the country code and area code. For US numbers: +1 (555) 123-4567.
- Upload your document — PDF works best. Most services also accept Word, Excel, and image files.
- Add a cover page (optional) — Many services let you attach an automatic cover sheet.
- Click Send — The service converts your file and sends it to the recipient's fax machine.
- Check the confirmation — You'll receive a delivery confirmation via email or in the service dashboard.
The entire process takes under 5 minutes, including signup.
Online fax services turn any browser into a fax machine — upload, enter the number, and send.
Method 2: Send a Fax via Email
Many online fax services support "email-to-fax." You compose a regular email and the service converts it into a fax. Here's how:
- Open your email client — Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, anything.
- Create a new email
- In the "To" field, enter the fax number followed by the service's domain. For example:
15551234567@faxservice.com - Attach your PDF
- Send the email
The service receives your email, extracts the attachment, and sends it as a fax. You'll get a delivery confirmation reply.
Tip: Email-to-fax is great if you need to send faxes frequently. You can even create email templates with pre-filled fax numbers for recurring recipients.
Method 3: Use Windows Fax and Scan (Legacy)
Windows has a built-in fax capability called "Windows Fax and Scan." But there's a significant catch: it requires a fax modem connected to a phone line. Since most computers haven't shipped with modems since ~2005, this method is only practical if you have legacy hardware.
If you do have a fax modem:
- Open Windows Fax and Scan (search for it in Start)
- Click "New Fax"
- Enter the recipient's number
- Attach your document
- Click Send
For the vast majority of users in 2026, Method 1 or 2 is the practical choice.
Which Method Should You Choose?
| Criteria | Online Service | Email-to-Fax | Windows Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup time | 2 min | Already done | 30+ min |
| Hardware needed | None | None | Fax modem + phone line |
| Cost | Free–$10/mo | Part of fax service | Phone line cost |
| Works on Mac? | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Works on Chromebook? | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Tips for Better Fax Quality
- Always send as PDF — PDFs maintain formatting. Word documents can reflow and look different on the other end.
- Use black text on white background — Fax is inherently black-and-white. Color documents are converted to grayscale, which can make text hard to read.
- Check the number twice — A wrong digit sends your document to a stranger. Double-check before hitting send.
- Keep file size under 10 MB — Large files can time out or fail. Compress images before faxing.
If you want to compare services more thoroughly before choosing, FaxRadar's guide to the best online fax services breaks down pricing, features, and reliability across all the major providers.