How to fax from a computer
A computer can fax through a browser fax service, by email to fax, or through a fax printer or modem. The fastest route that needs no fax machine is a browser fax service.
A computer can fax in three ways, and only the printer or modem route needs a fax device. The fastest way without a fax device is a browser fax service such as Fax Pigeon, which sends the file from a web page.
What are the three ways to fax from a computer?
A computer can fax through a browser fax service, by email to fax, or through a fax printer or modem. A browser service takes the file from a web page, email to fax takes an attachment, and a fax printer or modem is the only route here that needs hardware on your desk.
The table compares what each route needs.
| Route | What it needs | Suits patient documents? |
|---|---|---|
| Browser fax service | A browser and a PDF or document | Yes: every Fax Pigeon plan includes a signed BAA at signup |
| Email to fax | An email account with fax from email | Yes for Fax Pigeon, since fax from email is on every plan |
| Fax printer or modem | A multifunction printer that supports faxing on a Mac, or Windows Fax and Scan on Windows | The Apple and Microsoft pages cited here do not mention HIPAA |
Fax from email, on every Fax Pigeon plan, lets a computer fax a PDF attached to an email.
How do you fax from a computer with a printer?
A Mac faxes through a multifunction printer that supports faxing, chosen under Faxes in the Print dialog, and a Windows PC faxes through Windows Fax and Scan. Apple's pages name no phone line beyond an optional dialing prefix for an outside line. Apple's setup page says that a multifunction printer connected to the Mac can be set up to send faxes.
A Mac without a multifunction printer that supports faxing, or a PC without Windows Fax and Scan, needs the browser route instead.
How do you fax from a computer in a browser?
A browser fax service sends a PDF you save first: Save as PDF on a Mac, or Microsoft Print to PDF on Windows. Neither the Mac nor the Windows PC needs a fax machine for that route.
- Create the file with the PDF button on a Mac, or choose Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer on Windows.
- Sign the BAA during signup for the plan you choose.
- Enter the receiving number and attach the PDF in the browser.
- Read the delivery proof on the fax record.
Basic is $4.99 a month on an annual bill, $59.88 a year, and covers 200 pages before 10¢ overage, counting pages sent and received. To confirm delivery, see how to tell if a fax went through.
What should you check before a computer fax goes out?
The receiving number is the first thing to check, because the fax goes to whatever number you enter. If the PDF holds patient records, Security Options in Apple's save step can add passwords for opening, copying and printing the PDF. Keep the delivery proof for each fax with your records.
Count the pages as well. Fax Pigeon counts pages sent plus received, and Basic includes 200 pages with 10¢ for each extra page.
Who should switch from faxing on a computer?
A practice that sends from one computer and owns no fax printer should move every fax to a browser service, which needs no fax machine or printer. A practice that keeps a fax printer should move patient records to a browser service that signs a BAA first. For plan prices, see what each Fax Pigeon plan costs, and for the comparison, read online fax and fax machines compared.
* Apple's and Microsoft's support pages were read on October 13, 2026. Fax Pigeon prices and plan terms as of October 15, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I fax from a computer?
- You fax from a computer through a browser fax service, by email to fax, or through a fax printer or modem. A Mac uses a multifunction printer that supports faxing, and a Windows PC uses the Windows Fax and Scan feature. A browser fax service needs no fax machine or printer, and every Fax Pigeon plan includes your own fax number.
- Do I need a fax machine to fax from a computer?
- No fax machine is needed to fax from a computer through a browser fax service. The computer route through a printer needs a multifunction printer that supports faxing on a Mac, or the Windows Fax and Scan feature on Windows. A browser fax service needs only a browser and a PDF, and every Fax Pigeon plan includes fax from email.
- Is it HIPAA compliant to fax from a computer?
- A browser fax service that handles patient records needs a business associate agreement under HIPAA, and every Fax Pigeon plan includes a signed BAA at signup. The Apple and Microsoft pages cited in this article do not mention HIPAA. A fax from your own printer or modem leaves the safeguards to your practice.
- How do I know the fax went through?
- Fax Pigeon shows delivery proof for every fax on every plan, so the sender can see whether the fax was delivered. A fax sent from a Mac or a Windows PC through a local printer has no delivery proof described in the Apple or Microsoft pages cited here. The steps for checking are in how to tell if a fax went through.
- Can I fax from my email on a computer?
- Yes, Fax Pigeon lets you fax from email on every plan. Each plan includes fax from email, so you can send a PDF attached to a message and have it delivered as a fax. The fax counts toward your plan's page allowance, because pages are sent plus received.
Fax Pigeon
HIPAA-compliant fax with a signed BAA on every plan
Plans start at $4.99 a month, billed annually, for 200 pages, with your own number and unlimited people. Your first fax is free.
- Free porting of your local number
- Fax from your email
- AI summary of every inbound fax
- E-signatures
- Contact management
- Delivery proof
Know a practice that still faxes? Refer it through the referral program and earn 20% of its plan, every month it stays.