A fax number is a phone number that’s attached to a fax line that can be used to send and receive documents. A fax number means that a phone number is attached to a fax machine or fax service, enabling it to communicate with other fax machines.
These days, we tend to text, call, and video chat with people without even thinking about their contact numbers. But unique phone numbers are still at the root of how to contact someone across wireless and wired phone connections. So what does this have to do with fax machines?
Fax machines also still use phone numbers to send and receive documents. Faxing has been around for a long time and, before smartphones and the internet, was once the best way to instantaneously send and receive documents over long distances. Fax machines use phone lines to send documents, which means that fax machines needed to be attached to phone numbers so they could identify one another, just like we do with phones today!
How Long is a Fax Number?
Fax numbers may be slightly different in digital length but, in general, look very similar to phone numbers. A fax number may still use the same 1+ area code + 8-digit format that other phone numbers use.
How many digits are in a fax number? 10, just like a traditional North American phone number, excluding the country code.
When you set up an account with Fax.Live, you get a free fax number with your monthly or annual subscription. If you want to learn more about how Fax.Live’s fax numbers work, check out our article on how to set up and try out a free fax number.
Is a Fax Number The Same as a Phone Number?
Yes, these numbers look the same!
In fact, a phone line that’s attached to a phone number can be used for faxes and phone calls. However, they can’t be used for faxing and calling at the same time. If you try to call someone while a fax is ongoing, you may hear a strange series of dial tones. You’ve just interrupted two fax machines “talking” to each other!
If you’re confused about how fax numbers and phone numbers can be the same, or have the same number of digits, think of it like this:
Phone numbers are attached to a phone line that can connect to cell phones, smartphones, flip phones, and even analog “landline” phones. All of these devices are constructed in different ways but they all use a phone network to communicate information (such as your voice) to another device. Fax machines are just another type of device that communicates a different type of information over the same network!
What is an Example of a Fax Number?
For an example of a facsimile number, look at the IRS’ SS-4 fax number on their website.
IRS Fax Number: 855-641-6935
This fax number follows the same format as a standard phone number. You’ll notice that the IRS has set up this fax number to have the 855 area code, which is a toll-free number prefix that North American numbers use.
If you have a landline phone number and a fax machine, you can also set up your number to be a fax number. As we said before, a fax number can also be a regular phone number, it just depends on the devices connected to the network. Large institutions like the IRS, universities, and some medical groups will set up phone numbers to be used for only fax machines. This could be considered a “dedicated fax number” because it’s only being used for faxing. When you set up an account with Fax.Live, your account includes a dedicated fax number, regardless of whether you are an individual, family or business user.