Faxing isn’t as common as it once was, but it’s still frequently used in certain settings, like medical practices. A digital fax service like Fax.Live is one of the most convenient ways for you to send and receive faxes without the use of a fax machine. Whether you’re using Fax.Live for the first time or wondering how it works, we’ve put together this list of some of the most frequently asked questions about faxing and faxes.
Basic Questions About Getting Started
What is a fax and how does it work?
A fax (short for facsimile) is a way to send a copy of a document over a phone line from one machine or service to another.
The basic process of faxing is this: The sending side scans the document, converts it into a signal, and transmits that signal through a phone connection. The receiving side picks up that signal and prints or displays an exact copy — a facsimile, or fax — of the original document.
Today, faxes don’t require a physical machine. Online fax services handle the same process digitally, letting you send and receive faxes through email, a web browser, or a phone app. The document still travels in a similar way — it just skips the hardware on both ends.
Read more for more detail into how faxing works.
Do I need a fax machine to send a fax?
No, you don’t need to buy a fax machine or a trip to the office supply store to find a fax machine. To send or receive a fax, you can use an online fax service like Fax.Live.
Faxing without a fax machine works with any device connected to the internet. Desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones can all fax without a fax machine. Fax.Live doesn’t require any software downloads, just a web browser.
If the recipient on the other end is using a fax machine, there will be no visible difference on their end.
Is faxing still relevant in 2026?
Yes, faxing is still relevant, as it’s still used in healthcare, education, and legal practices. Faxing is considered secure by some, as it’s difficult for malicious parties to intercept faxes while they’re transmitted over phone lines. When you fax something, you’re also only transmitting document information, so there’s no risk of malware or suspicious, clickable links being attached (as with an email). That said, when you send a fax to a physical fax machine, the security depends on the recipient’s setup. You may want to ask if the fax machine is in an open area or a secured area with limited access.
Check out our guide about why faxing is still used.
Questions About Online & Digital Faxing
Can I send a fax from my computer?
Yes, you can fax from your computer using Fax.Live. We make it easy to upload a PDF and transmit it to anyone with a fax number. Faxing on a computer doesn’t require any third-party downloads or apps, and your fax history is stored in your Fax.Live account,* so you can see all of the faxes you’ve sent and received.
Can I send a fax from my phone?
Yup, a smartphone with an internet connection can fax using Fax.Live. When you head to Fax.Live on your phone, you can send and receive faxes directly within your browser. You’ll need your document saved as a PDF. Also, keep in mind that if you’re not using WiFi, this may use your mobile data.
What is an online fax service?
Online fax services, also sometimes called efax services, are electronic fax services that eliminate the need for a fax machine by allowing you to fax documents over the internet. All the security benefits of faxing apply without having to own or find a fax machine. Online faxing has some benefits, such as the convenience of being able to fax on the go with a smartphone, as well as not needing a hard copy of your document.
How do I send a fax without a fax machine?
Sending a fax without a fax machine is as simple as uploading a PDF, adding an optional cover page, and entering your recipient’s fax number. The digital fax service will handle transmitting your fax over the web and send you a confirmation email when it’s been successfully transmitted.
Can I receive faxes by email?
Fax.Live sends email alerts, but all sent and received faxes are managed through your user dashboard.
What is a virtual fax number?
Virtual fax numbers appear similar to a phone number, but are connected to your digital fax account and allow you to receive (and send) faxes. With Fax.Live, a virtual fax number is provided to you for free. This means that if you need to receive a fax from someone, you can give them your virtual fax number and it will work whether they’re using a fax machine or their own digital fax service. When you receive a fax, we’ll send you an email notification.
Questions About Security of Faxing
Is faxing secure?
Faxing is secure because online fax services encrypt your documents and then transmit over phone lines, which is difficult to intercept. Another often overlooked advantage of faxing is that there’s less of a risk of a suspicious, clickable link or file being attached to a fax. A hard copy fax itself can’t contain a program or file — it’s just a signal that transfers the contents of a PDF. That said, once a fax is received, its security depends on the recipient’s setup, whether that’s a fax machine in a shared space or a digital account with weak password protection. Learn more about fax security here.
How private is a fax compared to email?
In terms of privacy, fax and email are about the same if you’re using a digital fax service. Both forms of document transmission tie the documents you send and receive to an online account. They also both have “addresses” (email address and phone number) for identifying senders and recipients. A physical fax machine removes the risk of a hacker accessing your account, but printed documents can fall into the wrong hands.
Questions About Sending and Receiving Faxes
How do I know if my fax was received?
If you want to know whether your fax was successfully received by the number you sent it to, digital fax services will send you a confirmation email with information about whether your fax was successful. Fax.Live gives you live updates on the transmission progress of your fax. Keep in mind that this information is only about the transmission progress, not whether or not someone on the other end has actually seen or successfully printed your document yet.
Why did my fax fail to send?
The most common reasons fax fails to send are incorrect fax numbers, interrupted connections, or a busy line on the recipient’s end. Troubleshoot your faxing here.
Can I fax multiple pages at once?
Yes, you can send larger, multiple-page files at once with fax machines and fax services. Fax.Live can handle file sizes up to 50MB — that’s roughly 100 to 250 pages of a typical business document or 500 to 1,000 pages of plain text. If your document is larger than 50MB, you can reduce it by cutting out pages, reducing the number of images in the document, or breaking it into two or three separate faxes.
What file formats can I send as a fax?
Fax.Live works with PDFs.
Can I fax from a PDF?
Yes, if your document is a PDF, you can fax it without any problems. No conversion or print outs required.
How long does it take to send a fax?
When you fax online, it should only take a couple of minutes to fax a document, depending on the file size. If it takes longer, it’s likely because you’re transmitting a larger document. More data takes more time to transmit.
What is a fax cover sheet and do I need one?
A fax cover sheet is an additional page added to the front of your document that contains information about you, why you’re sending the fax, and who the fax is intended for. Fax cover sheets also provide a little privacy, as they obscure the contents of your document from anyone who might glance at it before it reaches the intended recipient. You can add a fax cover sheet for free using Fax.Live when you prep your document for faxing.
Questions About My Fax Number
How do I get a fax number?
Fax numbers are provided for free with Fax.Live and are used for receiving and sending faxes. If you have a fax machine, your fax number will be the telephone line that you’ve connected to your machine. When you use Fax.Live, we provision you a fax number that’s used to receive faxes to your fax account.
Can I use my existing phone number as a fax number?
Yes, but only if you use a physical fax machine that’s connected to your landline. Your phone number will be tied to your landline telephone line and connected to a physical fax machine. This Wikihow article explains how fax machines work with phone lines. With Fax.Live, you cannot use your own phone number, but we assign a dedicated fax number to you for free.
Do I need a landline to have a fax number?
No, you don’t need a landline to get a fax number and receive faxes when you use Fax.Live. When you get a free digital fax number, as long as your account is active, you can give this fax number to anyone and receive faxed documents the same way that you would with a physical fax machine.
*Faxes are saved indefinitely with an active Fax.Live account in good standing, or until you delete them.