What is a fax number? A fax number is a 10-digit phone number attached to a fax line used to send and receive documents. It follows the same format as a phone number (1 + area code + 7-digit number) and works on standard phone networks.
What does facsimile number mean? A facsimile number is simply another term for fax number. Both refer to a phone number attached to a fax machine or fax service, enabling it to communicate with other fax machines and fax services.
How many digits are in a fax number? Fax numbers have 10 digits, just like a traditional North American phone number, excluding the country code. The full dialing sequence is 11 numbers: 1 + 3-digit area code + 7-digit number.
We 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 outside of snail mail.
Is a Fax Number The Same as a Phone Number?
Yes, fax numbers and phone numbers look identical and use the same format. A single phone line can handle both phone calls and faxes, but not at the same time.
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?
A fax number example is 855-641-6935, the IRS’s fax number for SS-4 forms.
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.
How Do I Get a Fax Number?
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.