How to Send a Fax — 5 Easy Methods
Need to send a fax but don't have a fax machine? In 2026, there are 5 easy ways to send a fax — from your phone, email, computer, web browser, or a physical machine. This is the complete guide to every method, with costs compared and step-by-step instructions.
Quick answer: To send a fax in 2026, use an online fax service like Fax.plus. Sign up free, upload your document (PDF, Word, or image), enter the recipient’s fax number with country code, and click Send. Delivery takes 1–3 minutes.
Works on phone, computer, & email · 10 free pages · 180+ countries
Quick Answer: How to Send a Fax in 2026
Upload Document
Upload PDF, Word, or image — or scan a paper document with your phone camera.
Enter Number & Send
Type the recipient's fax number with country code and hit send. Confirmation in 1-3 minutes.
Method 1: Send a Fax from Your Phone
The most convenient way to send a fax in 2026 is directly from your smartphone. Download the Fax.plus app, scan your document with the built-in camera, enter the fax number, and tap send.
✓ Best for
- Faxing on the go
- Scanning paper documents
- Quick one-off faxes
Requirements
- iPhone (iOS 14+) or Android (8+)
- Fax.plus app (free download)
For a detailed walkthrough with screenshots, see our How to Fax from iPhone guide.
Method 2: Send a Fax from Gmail
If you use Gmail, you can send faxes without leaving your inbox. Compose a new email, enter [fax-number]@fax.plus in the To field, attach your document, and click send. The email is converted to a fax and delivered to the recipient's machine.
This method also works with Outlook, Yahoo Mail, Apple Mail, and ProtonMail — any email client that can send attachments.
Read the full guide: How to Fax from Gmail — 3 Methods
Method 3: Send a Fax from Your Computer
Open any web browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox), go to app.fax.plus, and send your fax from the web interface. No software to download, no fax machine needed.
This works on PC, Mac, and Chromebook — anything with a browser. Upload your document (PDF, Word, image, or 20+ other formats), enter the fax number, and click send.
See our How to Fax from a Computer guide for the complete tutorial.
Method 4: Send a Fax via Email
The email-to-fax method works from any email provider. Instead of a web interface, you compose a standard email with the fax number in a special format in the To field. The fax service converts your email + attachment into a fax transmission.
This is ideal for people who send faxes regularly — you can even save fax numbers as email contacts for instant access.
Full guide: Email to Fax — Complete Guide
Method 5: Send a Fax from a Fax Machine
The traditional method still works if you have access to a fax machine (at home, office, or a store like UPS, FedEx, or Staples). Load your document, dial the number, and press start.
However, this is the most expensive option: machines cost $100-300, dedicated phone lines cost $25-50/month, plus ink, paper, and maintenance. For most people, online methods are 5-10x cheaper.
If you need to use a store, see our Fax Near Me — Store Price Guide.
How to Send a Fax Without a Fax Machine
Don't have a fax machine? That's actually the norm in 2026. Over 90% of faxes are now sent digitally using online fax services. Here's a summary of the best ways to send a fax without a fax machine:
| Method | Device | Free Pages | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online (web) | Any browser | 10 | 1-3 min | Most people |
| Phone app | iPhone/Android | 10 | 1-3 min | On the go |
| Email-to-fax | Any email client | 10 | 1-3 min | Regular faxers |
| Gmail add-on | Gmail (browser) | 10 | 1-3 min | Gmail users |
| UPS/FedEx/Staples | In-store | 0 | 5-15 min | No internet |
How Much Does It Cost to Send a Fax?
| Method | Cost Per Page | Monthly Plan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fax.plus | $0 (first 10) | $6.99/mo | Best value |
| FaxZero | $0 (5/day) | Free | Ads on cover page |
| FaxBurner | $0 (receive only) | $12.95/mo | 5 free receive |
| UPS Store | $1.79 | N/A | Walk-in |
| FedEx Office | $2.49 | N/A | Walk-in |
| Staples | $1.50 | N/A | Walk-in |
| Own fax machine | ~$0.08 | $50-80 | +phone line |
For a full breakdown, see our Online vs Physical Fax Cost Comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
The easiest way is through an online fax service like Fax.plus. Sign up for free, upload your document, enter the fax number, and send. No fax machine, phone line, or special equipment needed. The whole process takes under 3 minutes.
Yes. Download the Fax.plus app on iPhone or Android, scan your document with your camera, enter the fax number, and tap send. You get 10 free pages — no credit card required.
Go to app.fax.plus in your browser, create a free account, upload your document (PDF, Word, image), enter the fax number, and click send. Works on PC, Mac, and Chromebook.
Use an online fax service. You can send faxes from your phone, computer, or email — no fax machine needed. Fax.plus, eFax, and FaxBurner are the most popular options.
Some services offer free pages. Fax.plus gives you 10 free pages with no credit card. FaxZero offers 5 free pages/day with ads. For regular faxing, paid plans start at $6.99/month.
Online: $0.20/page with Fax.plus. In-store: $1.50-$2.49/page at UPS, FedEx, or Staples. Owning a fax machine: $50-80/month when you include the phone line, ink, and paper.
A typical 1-page fax takes about 30-60 seconds to transmit. Online fax services are usually faster than physical machines because they use internet connections rather than phone lines.
Yes. Fax.plus supports sending to 180+ countries. Just include the country code before the fax number (e.g., +44 for UK, +49 for Germany). International rates are slightly higher than domestic.
No — you only need the recipient's fax number. To receive faxes back, you'll need your own fax number, which most services provide with paid plans.
Yes. Use the email-to-fax method: compose an email, enter [fax-number]@fax.plus in the To field, attach your document, and send. See our Gmail fax guide for 3 complete methods.