Can I send a fax directly from Outlook?

Outlook does not have a built-in fax service. You need a third-party email-to-fax provider like [mFax](https://mfax.to). Once connected, you compose a normal email in Outlook, address it to the fax number @send.mfax.to, attach your document, and hit Send.

Does Microsoft 365 include fax?

No. Microsoft 365 does not include a fax service. On Windows, Office can use the built-in Windows Fax and Scan utility, but that requires a fax modem or phone line. For online faxing, you need a separate service.

Is faxing from Outlook HIPAA compliant?

It can be — if your fax provider encrypts the transmission and signs a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). mFax Business supports HIPAA-compliant faxing. See our [HIPAA fax guide](/blog/hipaa-compliant-fax/) for the full checklist.

What file formats can I fax from Outlook?

PDF is recommended for the best formatting. Most services also accept DOCX, XLSX, JPG, PNG, and TIFF. Avoid password-protected files — the fax gateway cannot open them.

Do I get a delivery confirmation?

Yes. After the recipient's fax machine confirms receipt, you receive a confirmation email in Outlook with a timestamp and page count — just like a read receipt.

How to Fax from Outlook: 3 Easy Methods (2026 Guide)

Send a fax straight from Microsoft Outlook — no fax machine, no phone line. This guide covers three methods: email-to-fax, the mFax web app, and the built-in Windows Fax driver.

How to Fax from Outlook: Step-by-Step (2026)

By David Thompson · Published July 3, 2025 · Updated June 8, 2026 · 6 min read

Quick Answer: Outlook has no built-in fax service. The fastest way to fax from Outlook is to compose an email to [faxnumber]@send.mfax.to, attach your document, and hit Send. Try it free at mFax.to.

Microsoft Outlook is the go-to email client for millions of businesses, but it does not include a fax feature. To fax from Outlook, you need a third-party email-to-fax service that bridges your outbox to the recipient's fax machine.

The good news: once set up, sending a fax from Outlook feels exactly like sending an email — compose, attach, send. For a focused walkthrough, see our main guide to send a fax from Outlook. Below are three methods, from the fastest to the most manual.

Fastest Method

Compose a new email in Outlook, enter 12125551234@send.mfax.to in the To field (replace with the real fax number), attach your PDF, and click Send. That's it — sign up at mFax.to to get started.

Method 1: Email-to-Fax (Recommended)

This works with every version of Outlook — desktop, web (Outlook.com), and mobile. No plugins, no drivers, no configuration.

Sign Up for an Email-to-Fax Service

Create an account at mFax.to. Verify your email address so the fax gateway can authenticate your outgoing faxes.

Compose a New Email in Outlook

Open Outlook and click New Email (or New Message in Outlook on the web). This works in Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024, and Microsoft 365.

Enter the Fax Number in the To Field

Type the fax number followed by @send.mfax.to. For example: 12125551234@send.mfax.to. Include the country code (1 for US/Canada) — no dashes, spaces, or parentheses.

Attach Your Document

Click the paperclip icon and attach your file. PDF gives the cleanest result. DOCX, XLSX, JPG, PNG, and TIFF are also supported. Avoid password-protected files — the gateway can't open them.

Add a Subject Line (Optional)

Whatever you type in the Subject field becomes the header on the fax cover page. Leave it blank if you're attaching your own fax cover sheet.

Click Send

Outlook sends the email to the fax gateway, which converts your attachment into a fax and dials the recipient's number. You'll receive a delivery confirmation email once the fax goes through — usually within 1–3 minutes.

Receiving Faxes in Outlook

It works in reverse too. With mFax, incoming faxes arrive as PDF attachments in your Outlook inbox. You can set up Outlook rules to automatically sort them into a "Faxes" folder. Learn more in our guide to receiving faxes online.

Method 2: Upload via mFax Web App

If you'd rather not use the email-to-fax address format, upload your document directly through the browser.

Open mFax.to in any browser
Upload your PDF (or use the document converter to convert Word, images, or other files)
Enter the recipient's fax number
Click Send

This is the best option when you're working in Outlook on the web and want a visual upload interface instead of typing a fax-format email address.

Method 3: Windows Fax and Scan (Windows Only)

Windows includes a built-in fax utility. It's free, but it requires a fax modem or a phone line connected to your PC — which most modern computers don't have.

Search for Windows Fax and Scan in the Start menu
Click New Fax
Enter the recipient's fax number
Attach your document or type directly
Click Send

Alternatively, in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, go to File > Share > Send as Internet Fax. This uses the Windows fax driver under the hood.

Limitations

Windows Fax and Scan only works on Windows desktop — not Mac, not Outlook.com, not mobile. It also requires an active phone line or fax modem, which makes it impractical for most users in 2026. The email-to-fax method (Method 1) works everywhere.

Outlook Desktop vs. Web vs. Mobile

Feature	Outlook Desktop	Outlook Web	Outlook Mobile
Email-to-fax	Yes	Yes	Yes
Windows Fax driver	Yes (Windows only)	No	No
File attachments	All formats	All formats	All formats
Delivery confirmation	Yes (via email)	Yes (via email)	Yes (via email)
Outlook rules for faxes	Yes	Yes	Limited

The email-to-fax method is the only approach that works identically across all Outlook versions and platforms.

Supported File Formats

Format	Works?	Notes
PDF	Yes	Best choice — preserves formatting exactly
DOCX / DOC	Yes	Converted to fax image; minor formatting shifts possible
XLSX / XLS	Yes	Wide spreadsheets may be cropped — export to PDF first
JPG / PNG	Yes	Good for scanned documents and photos
TIFF	Yes	Native fax format — highest fidelity
Password-protected	No	Gateway cannot open encrypted files

Need to convert a file first? Use the free document converter to turn any file into a fax-ready PDF.

Security and HIPAA Compliance

Faxing from Outlook via email-to-fax is secure when your provider encrypts the transmission. Here's what to verify:

TLS encryption between your email client and the fax gateway
Encrypted delivery from the gateway to the recipient's fax machine
Business Associate Agreement (BAA) if you're sending Protected Health Information

Standard Outlook email is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.2+), so the link between Outlook and the fax gateway is already protected. The fax provider handles encryption on the outbound leg.

For healthcare, legal, or financial documents, mFax Business includes HIPAA-ready features, encryption, and a BAA — starting at about $9/mo (billed annually). See our HIPAA compliant fax guide for the full checklist.

Troubleshooting

Fax not delivered?

Double-check the fax number — include the country code (1 for US) and drop all dashes/spaces
Verify your email is registered with the fax service (unregistered senders are rejected)
Check if the recipient's line is busy — the service retries automatically, but you can also resend

Attachment not converting?

Switch to PDF. If your file is in Word format, save as PDF first (File > Save As > PDF)
Remove password protection — encrypted files can't be processed
Check file size limits — most services accept up to 20 MB per fax

No confirmation email?

Check your Spam/Junk folder in Outlook
Confirm your fax service account is active
The recipient's machine may be off or out of paper — the gateway will retry and notify you

For more diagnostics, see our guide to sending a test fax.

Why Fax from Outlook Instead of a Fax Machine?

	Fax Machine	Outlook + mFax
Setup	Phone line + hardware	Email account + 2-minute signup
Cost	Machine ($50–300) + phone line ($20–40/mo)	Pay-per-fax or from $9/mo
Speed	Walk to the machine, feed pages, wait	Compose email, attach, send
Confirmation	Paper printout (easy to lose)	Email receipt (searchable, archived)
Remote access	No — must be at the machine	Yes — any device, anywhere
HIPAA compliance	Depends on physical security	Built-in encryption + BAA available

Send Your First Fax from Outlook

Here's the short version:

Sign up at mFax.to
Open Outlook, compose a new email
In the To field, type: [faxnumber]@send.mfax.to
Attach your document (PDF recommended)
Click Send — done

You'll get a delivery confirmation in your inbox within minutes. No fax machine, no phone line, no leaving your desk.

For business teams, mFax Business gives you a dedicated virtual fax number, team accounts, HIPAA compliance, and a web dashboard — starting at about $9/mo. The plan is fully customizable: build your own with a live calculator, picking the exact seats and pages you need and paying only for what you use.

How to Fax from Outlook: Step-by-Step (2026)