How to Send a Fax Online in 2026 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Why Send a Fax Online?

Physical fax machines are expensive to maintain and require a dedicated phone line. Online fax services replace the hardware with a web app, email integration, or mobile app — letting you send and receive faxes from anywhere with an internet connection.

Common reasons people still need to fax:

• Legal and medical documents — Many courts, hospitals, and insurance companies require faxed documents
• Government forms — Some agencies accept fax but not email
• Signed contracts — Faxed signatures remain legally binding in most jurisdictions

Method 1: Using a Web-Based Fax Service

This is the most common approach. Services like RingCentral Fax, Fax.Plus, and eFax provide a web portal where you can:

1. Sign up for an account and choose a plan
2. Get a fax number — most services assign one instantly
3. Upload your document (PDF, Word, or image)
4. Enter the recipient’s fax number
5. Hit send — you’ll get a confirmation when the fax is delivered

Most services offer a free trial so you can test before committing.

Method 2: Sending a Fax via Email

Most online fax services support email-to-fax. Here’s how it works:

1. Compose a new email in Gmail, Outlook, or any email client
2. In the To field, enter the fax number in the format required by your provider (e.g., [email protected])
3. Attach the document you want to fax
4. Optionally add a cover page message in the email body
5. Send the email — the fax service converts it and transmits it

This is convenient because you don’t need to log into a separate portal.

Method 3: Faxing from Your Phone

Services with mobile apps — Fax.Plus, RingCentral, and eFax — let you fax from your smartphone:

1. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play
2. Sign in to your account
3. Take a photo of the document or select a file
4. Enter the recipient number
5. Send

Fax.Plus has the best mobile app in our testing, with automatic edge detection and image enhancement.

What You Need

• An online fax account — see our comparison page for options
• The document in PDF, Word, or image format
• The recipient’s fax number including country and area code

Cost

Online fax services typically range from $8.99 to $19.99 per month, depending on how many pages you need. Some services offer free trials:

• RingCentral Fax: 30-day free trial
• eFax: 14-day free trial
• Fax.Plus: 10 free pages (one-time)

See our full pricing comparison for details.

Tips for Successful Faxing

• Use PDF format when possible — it preserves formatting best
• Check the fax number carefully — international numbers need the country code
• Keep documents under 20 pages per transmission for reliability
• Use high contrast — fax reduces image quality, so avoid light text on light backgrounds
• Confirm delivery — check your sent fax status in the portal or wait for the email confirmation