How to Send a Fax to Email for Free

You can use a computer with an Internet connection to forward faxes to email addresses, printers and fax machines for free. Use a free fax service to send your faxes online, or sign up with a fax service that will provide you with a fax number. However, you may be charged a monthly fee, unless you use a pay as you go service to send and receive faxes.

Things You'll Need

• Email client program (e.g., Outlook, Eudora)

Instructions

1. Choose an Internet fax service that allows you to send free outgoing faxes. You can use their services to send a fax without signing up for a fax number. But if you want your own fax number, you will need to create an account and pay a fee to use their fax services. (See Resources below for three choices.)

2. Follow the fax service instructions for sending a fax online. Make certain that you set up an account with a fax service that provides Internet faxing by email. Normally, Internet faxes are converted into files, and emailed as attachments to the recipient. Also, in order to use some free fax services to send a fax, the recipient should have a fax number that's tied to their email address. If they don't have a personal fax number, they can sign up with a fax service that issues free fax numbers to conveniently receive faxes by email.

3. Use your email client program, such as Outlook or Eudora to send a fax. You can also use your web browser to send and receive faxes online. Make certain that you provide the necessary information about the recipient and who is sending the fax. Keep in mind that even though some online fax services allow you to send free faxes, they may only offer the free service for a short period of time, or on a trial basis.

4. Type the recipient's fax number in the "To:" field. Then, enter a description in the “Subject” field. Next, add a text message in the email's main body. If you want to fax a printed document, use the scanner connected to your computer. Scan the document and save it on your hard drive.

5. Click the “Attachments” button to locate the desired file on your computer. Upload the file in the “Attachments” dialog box. You can also fax other types of file formats, such as Word .DOC, PDF and TXT, but the files should not be read-only, encrypted or password protected.

6. Press the “Send” button when you're ready to send your email fax message to your recipient.

Tips & Warnings

• In order to use some free fax services, they may print marketing advertisements on your fax pages. However, “FaxZero” only print ads on the fax cover sheet and not on the main pages that you are sending.

References

• “The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cool Ways to Communicate Online”; Preston Gralla; 2000

Resources

• eFax: Internet To Fax Email Services
• Fax Zero: Free Internet Faxing
• Got Free Fax: Free Fax – Online Fax Service