You don't need a fax machine, a modem or a phone line. Save your document as a PDF, open sendfaxfast.com in any browser, upload the file, enter the fax number and pay for that one fax, from $2.49. If you use Chrome, the free SendFaxFast extension puts the fax form one click away.
A form needs to go out by fax, and all you have is a laptop. Good news: that's all you need. This guide shows how to send a fax from a Windows PC, a Mac or a Chromebook, and how the free SendFaxFast Chrome extension saves you a few clicks.
Can my computer send a fax by itself?
Usually not. Windows includes a program called Windows Fax and Scan, but to send a fax with it, your PC needs a fax modem connected to a phone line (Microsoft Support). Most laptops today have neither. Current Macs don't have a built-in fax modem either, and Chromebooks have no fax feature at all.
So "faxing from a computer" today almost always means using an online fax service. The service sends the fax over the phone network for you. Your computer only uploads the file.
What are my options?
| Option | What you need | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Fax software + modem | A fax modem and a landline | Offices that still have a fax line |
| Fax subscription | An account and a monthly plan | People who fax every week |
| Pay-per-fax website | A browser and your document | One-time or occasional faxes |
| Print shop | A printout and a trip to the store | When you have no file at all |
How do I fax from my computer, step by step?
- Save your document as a PDF. In Word, use File > Save As (or Export) and choose PDF. On a Mac, use File > Export as PDF, or Print and then PDF > Save as PDF. On a Chromebook or in Chrome, use Print and choose "Save as PDF" as the destination. In Google Docs, use File > Download > PDF Document.
- Open sendfaxfast.com in Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox and drag your file into the upload box. PDF, JPG and PNG work, up to 100 pages and 10 MB.
- Enter the fax number with the country code. If you want the fax to arrive later, choose a send time (at least 15 minutes in the future).
- Pay for this one fax by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal, and enter your email address.
- Check your inbox. You receive an invoice and a delivery report by email.
Only have the document on paper? Take a picture with your phone instead. Our guide How to fax a document from a phone photo shows how to get a clean result.
What is the SendFaxFast Chrome extension?
The SendFaxFast Chrome extension is a free shortcut in your browser toolbar. Click the icon and you get a small menu with:
- Send fax now: opens the fax form on sendfaxfast.com,
- Schedule sending: prepare a fax now and let it go out later,
- Free fax cover sheet: opens the cover sheet generator,
- Fax number directory: official fax numbers for agencies in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand,
- links to our fax guides.
The extension asks for no special permissions. It doesn't read your pages or your browsing history. It simply opens sendfaxfast.com in a new tab, and the fax is sent there as usual. It's handy if you fax now and then and don't want to search for the website each time.
How to install it
- Open the SendFaxFast page in the Chrome Web Store.
- Click Add to Chrome and confirm.
- Click the puzzle icon in the toolbar and pin SendFaxFast so the icon is always visible.
The extension works in Chrome on Windows, Mac and Chromebook. Don't use Chrome? You don't need the extension: the website works in any modern browser.
What does it cost to fax from a computer?
| Fax type | Pages | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Short fax | 1–5 | $2.49 |
| Long fax | 6–20 | $3.49 |
| XL fax | 21–40 | $4.99 |
| XL Fax Plus | 41–100 | from $6.24 |
Prices per fax as of October 2026, the same for the US & Canada (+1), Australia (+61), New Zealand (+64), and 39 more supported countries. XL Fax Plus costs $4.99 plus $1.25 for each started 10 pages beyond 40. Maximum 100 pages per fax. Single faxes need no account and no subscription.
Faxing often from an AI assistant instead? With prepaid AI fax credits, you can send faxes straight from ChatGPT, Claude or Grok.
Tips before you hit send
- Check the fax number twice. A wrong digit means a failed fax or, worse, your document at the wrong office.
- Use dark text on a white background. Fax is black and white, so light colors may disappear.
- Add a cover sheet if the recipient shares a fax machine. It counts as a page.
- Delete downloaded copies on shared or public computers after you send.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fax from Windows 11 without a fax machine?
Yes, with an online fax service. Windows Fax and Scan needs a fax modem and a phone line. In the browser, you only upload your PDF and enter the fax number.
Does the SendFaxFast Chrome extension cost anything?
No, the extension is free. You only pay for the faxes you send, from $2.49 per fax.
Can I fax from a Mac without a fax modem?
Yes. Export your document as a PDF, open sendfaxfast.com in Safari or Chrome, upload the file and enter the fax number.
Can I fax a Word document?
Save it as a PDF first. PDF keeps your layout intact and converts cleanly into fax pages.
Can I receive faxes on my computer?
Not with a one-time fax. For that you need your own fax number. sendfaxfast.com offers an optional plan with a US or Canadian fax number, and incoming faxes arrive as PDFs in your email inbox.