Can I receive a fax directly to my email address?

Not directly — the sender dials a virtual fax number assigned to you, and the fax service converts the transmission into a PDF and delivers it to your inbox. You need a virtual fax number from a service like mFax.to to make this work.

What does a received fax look like in my email?

It arrives as a normal email from your fax service with a PDF (or TIFF) attachment. The subject line typically shows the sender's fax number, the time received, and the page count — for example: "Fax from +1 (555) 234-5678 — 3 pages."

Is receiving fax by email free?

Some services offer a permanent free tier with limited pages (Fax.Plus: 10 pages/month). A dedicated receiving number with reliable delivery typically costs $5–$20/month. mFax.to offers pay-per-fax options with no monthly commitment.

Is fax-to-email HIPAA compliant?

Only with a HIPAA-ready provider that includes a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Standard email delivery alone is NOT HIPAA compliant. See our [HIPAA faxing guide](/blog/hipaa-fax-requirements/) for full requirements.

What if a fax arrives while I'm offline?

Nothing is lost. The fax service's servers receive and store the fax 24/7, then deliver it to your email as soon as it's processed. You can also view all received faxes in your provider's web dashboard at any time.

Receive Fax by Email: Complete Setup Guide (2026)

Receiving a fax by email means getting incoming faxes as PDF attachments delivered straight to your Gmail, Outlook, or any inbox — no fax machine needed. Here's exactly how to set it up in under 5 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive a fax directly to my email address?: Not directly — the sender dials a virtual fax number assigned to you, and the fax service converts the transmission into a PDF and delivers it to your inbox. You need a virtual fax number from a service like mFax.to to make this work.
What does a received fax look like in my email?: It arrives as a normal email from your fax service with a PDF (or TIFF) attachment. The subject line typically shows the sender's fax number, the time received, and the page count — for example: "Fax from +1 (555) 234-5678 — 3 pages."
Is receiving fax by email free?: Some services offer a permanent free tier with limited pages (Fax.Plus: 10 pages/month). A dedicated receiving number with reliable delivery typically costs $5–$20/month. mFax.to offers pay-per-fax options with no monthly commitment.
Is fax-to-email HIPAA compliant?: Only with a HIPAA-ready provider that includes a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Standard email delivery alone is NOT HIPAA compliant. See our [HIPAA faxing guide](/blog/hipaa-fax-requirements/) for full requirements.
What if a fax arrives while I'm offline?: Nothing is lost. The fax service's servers receive and store the fax 24/7, then deliver it to your email as soon as it's processed. You can also view all received faxes in your provider's web dashboard at any time.