Faxing means sending an exact electronic copy of a document to a specific fax number — no email, no upload, no reformatting. Here's what faxing actually is, how it works, and why doctors, lawyers, and government offices still rely on it today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to fax something?
To fax something means to send an exact electronic copy of a document to a recipient's fax number. The document arrives as a fixed image — identical to what you sent — at the other end, either printed on paper or delivered digitally. You can fax from a traditional fax machine or from an online fax service on your phone or computer.
Is faxing the same as emailing?
No. Faxing transmits an exact image copy of a document directly to a specific fax number, with automatic delivery confirmation. Email sends a file over the internet, where formatting can shift and there is no guaranteed legal proof of delivery. Courts, hospitals, and government agencies treat faxed documents differently from email attachments for this reason.
Do people still fax in 2026?
Yes — faxing is still widely used. Over 75% of healthcare organizations rely on fax for patient records and referrals. Courts, law firms, the IRS, and government agencies continue to require or accept faxed documents. The global fax services market was valued at $3.31 billion in 2024 and is growing.
Can you fax without a fax machine?
Yes. Online fax services like mFax let you send and receive faxes from your smartphone, tablet, or computer — no hardware needed. You upload a document, enter a fax number, and the service handles transmission over the internet. Incoming faxes arrive in your app or email as PDFs.
What is a fax number?
A fax number is a standard telephone number assigned to a fax machine or online fax service. It looks exactly like a phone number. When you send a fax, you dial that number just as you would for a call — the receiving machine or service answers and accepts the incoming document.