How to Fax a Document: From Phone, Computer, or Store

By Alexey Spasskiy · Published March 22, 2026 · Updated June 8, 2026 · 8 min read

Quick Answer: To fax a document, you need the recipient's fax number and your document as a PDF. The fastest method is a mobile app like mFax — upload, enter the fax number, send. Done in under 2 minutes.

Faxing a document is simpler than it sounds. You have three real options: send from your phone using an app, send from your computer using an online service, or walk into a store like UPS or FedEx and use their machine. Each method works — the right one depends on how often you fax, what you're sending, and how much you want to spend.

This guide covers all three methods with exact steps, current pricing, and the mistakes that cause most faxes to fail.

Methods at a Glance

Method 1: Fax from Your Phone (Recommended)

You can fax a document from any iPhone or Android using the mFax app — no fax machine, no computer, no store trip required.

Neither iOS nor Android has a built-in fax feature. You'll use a dedicated fax app that handles the transmission for you. mFax is the fastest option, with over 5 million users and a 4.8-star App Store rating.

Method 2: Fax from a Computer

You can fax a document from any computer — Windows or Mac — using an online fax service, no hardware required.

There are three sub-methods here. The online browser method is the simplest and works on any computer.

Option A: Online Fax Service (Browser)

This is the most flexible computer-based method. You visit a website, upload your document, and the service sends the fax.

1. Go to mFax.to in any browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge)
2. Create a free account or log in
3. Click New Fax → upload your document (PDF, Word, JPG, PNG all work)
4. Enter the recipient's fax number
5. Add a cover sheet if needed
6. Click Send — you'll get an email confirmation when delivered

For a detailed comparison of online fax services, see our best online fax services guide.

Option B: Email-to-Fax

Some services let you send a fax by composing a regular email. The fax number goes in the "To" field in a special format.

1. Open your email client (Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail — any will work)
2. In the "To" field, enter the fax number in your service's format, e.g. +15551234567@fax.mfax.to
3. Write your message in the email body — it becomes the cover sheet
4. Attach your document as a PDF
5. Send — the service converts your email to a fax transmission

Option C: Windows Fax and Scan

Windows 10 and 11 include a built-in fax tool, but it requires a physical phone line connected to your computer via a fax modem. This is uncommon in modern homes and offices.

1. Search for "Windows Fax and Scan" in the Start menu
2. Click New Fax
3. Connect to your fax modem when prompted
4. Fill in the recipient number, compose your cover note, and attach documents
5. Click Send

If you don't have a fax modem, skip this method. Our how to fax from computer guide covers all desktop options in full detail.

Method 3: Fax at a Store

You can send a fax at most UPS, FedEx Office, Staples, and Office Depot locations for $1.00–$2.49 per page.

In-store faxing works without internet access and requires no account setup. The main drawbacks: you have to travel there, and costs add up quickly for multi-page documents.

Pricing Comparison

Prices vary by location. Call ahead to confirm. A 10-page domestic fax at FedEx can run $20–$25 before travel costs.

How to Fax at a Store

1. Call ahead to confirm the location has a working fax machine
2. Bring your documents — printed paper or a USB drive with a PDF (you'll print it there, which adds cost)
3. Tell the staff the recipient's fax number, local or international
4. Pay per page — staff will send the fax and give you a confirmation receipt
5. Keep the receipt as proof of delivery

For dedicated store guides with hours, pricing, and maps: Fax at UPS Store, Fax at FedEx Office, Fax at Staples.

Before You Send: What You Need

The Recipient's Fax Number

A fax number looks identical to a phone number. Format it with area code:

• Domestic: (555) 123-4567 or 15551234567
• International: +44 20 7946 0958 (country code + area code + number)

If you're unsure whether a number is a fax line, call it first — a fax machine answers with a high-pitched tone.

Your Document in a Supported Format

PDF is the universal best choice for faxing:

• Preserves fonts, layout, and formatting exactly
• Works with every fax service and machine
• Doesn't corrupt when transmitted

Other formats that work: DOCX, TXT, JPG, PNG, TIFF. If your document isn't already a PDF, use our free document converter to convert it before sending.

A Cover Sheet (Usually Required)

A cover sheet is the first page of your fax. It identifies you and your recipient so the fax lands in the right hands. For business or medical faxes, it's often required.

A basic cover sheet includes:

• To: Recipient name, company, fax number
• From: Your name, company, fax number or phone
• Date and total page count (including the cover sheet)
• Subject: One-line description of the document
• Message: Brief instructions or note

Need a cover sheet fast? Generate one free at mFax.to/fax-cover-sheet/ — no signup required. For more detail on when you need one, see do you need a fax cover sheet?

Common Faxing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Wrong Fax Number

The single most common failure. One transposed digit sends your document — including sensitive personal or medical information — to a stranger. Always double-check the number before hitting send. For critical faxes, call the recipient first to confirm their number.

Missing or Incomplete Cover Sheet

Without a cover sheet, your fax arrives with no context. The recipient doesn't know who sent it, what it's about, or how many pages to expect. Always include one for business or official documents.

Wrong File Format or Low Resolution

Fax machines transmit in black and white at 200 DPI. Color images look muddy, and heavily formatted Word documents can shift when converted. Use a clean, black-and-white PDF at 300 DPI for the cleanest transmission.

Not Waiting for Confirmation

A fax isn't delivered just because you hit Send. Always wait for and save the delivery confirmation. Online services email this to you; store staff should hand you a printed receipt.

Sending Sensitive Documents Without Encryption

Standard fax lines are analog and unencrypted. For medical records, legal documents, or financial data, use a service with TLS encryption and HIPAA compliance — not a store machine or basic online service.

How to Fax a PDF Document

Faxing a PDF is the easiest case: every fax service accepts PDF natively. Here's the short version:

1. Have the PDF saved to your device, cloud storage, or email
2. Open your fax app or service (mFax recommended)
3. Tap or click Upload → select your PDF
4. Enter the fax number, add a cover sheet, and send

If your document isn't a PDF yet — you have a Word doc, a photo, or a scanned image — convert it first. See our full guide on how to fax a PDF document for format-specific steps.

Faxing from a Shared or Public Computer

If you're at a library or office computer, use the browser method:

1. Visit mFax.to in any browser
2. Log into your account (or create one — it takes 60 seconds)
3. Upload your document and send
4. Log out when you're done — never leave an active session on a shared machine

Avoid saving your password or documents locally on public computers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to fax a document?

You need three things: the recipient's fax number, your document (PDF is best), and a way to send it — a fax app, online service, or in-store machine. A cover sheet is optional but strongly recommended for business faxes.

Can I fax a document from my phone without a fax machine?

Yes. The mFax app lets you upload a PDF or snap a photo of a document and send it as a fax from your iPhone or Android. No hardware required. See our guide to faxing from your phone without an app for browser-based alternatives.

How do I fax a document for the first time?

Download mFax, upload your document, enter the recipient's fax number, and tap Send. It takes about 2 minutes. You'll get a delivery confirmation when it arrives.

How much does it cost to fax a document?

In-store faxing costs $1.00–$2.49 per page. Mobile apps and online services typically charge per fax or via monthly subscription (starting around $10–$20/month for regular use). For occasional faxes, pay-per-fax via a mobile app is usually the cheapest option.

Why do people still fax documents in 2026?

Healthcare, legal, and government industries use faxing because it creates a legally recognized paper trail that email doesn't always provide. HIPAA regulations specifically require secure transmission of medical records, and fax has decades of legal precedent behind it.

Send Your First Fax Now

You don't need a fax machine, a phone line, or a trip to the store. Download the mFax app or visit mFax.to, upload your document, enter the fax number, and send. Over 5 million users have already done exactly this — in under 2 minutes, from their phones.

For business teams that fax regularly, mFax Business adds virtual fax numbers, HIPAA compliance, team accounts, and an audit trail — starting at about $9/mo (billed annually). Rather than locking you into fixed tiers, it lets you build your own plan with a live calculator, choosing the exact seats and pages you need and paying only for what you use.