Your Computer Is All You Need
You need to send a fax, but you don't have a fax machine. You might not even have a phone line. The good news: any computer with a browser can send a fax. Whether you're on a Mac, Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux machine, you can fax a document in minutes. No software to install, no account to create, no subscription to sign up for.
This guide covers the entire process: preparing your document, uploading it, entering the fax number, previewing, and sending. Whether you're faxing a signed contract to a law firm, a tax form to the IRS, or medical records to a clinic, your computer handles it.
Step 1: Prepare Your Document
PDF is the best format for faxing. It preserves your layout, fonts, and formatting exactly as intended. If your document is already a PDF, you're ready to go.
If you have a Word document, you can either upload it directly (UnoFax converts it automatically) or convert it to PDF first for maximum control over the output. On a Mac, open the document and choose File → Print → Save as PDF. On Windows, choose File → Save As → PDF, or use Microsoft Print to PDF.
UnoFax accepts PDF, Word (.doc, .docx), PNG, JPG, GIF, WebP, HEIC, and TIFF. Check the full list of supported file formats.
For the clearest fax output, use black text on a white background, standard fonts at 11pt or larger, and simple single-column layouts. Avoid coloured backgrounds, watermarks, and low-contrast text, because fax transmits in black and white only. For detailed tips, see our guide to preparing documents for best fax quality.
Step 2: Upload and Enter the Fax Number
Open unofax.com in any browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge all work). No plugins, extensions, or downloads required.
- Upload your document. Drag and drop your file onto the upload area, or click to browse. The file is converted to fax format automatically.
- Enter the fax number. Select the destination country from the dropdown, and the country code is added automatically. Then type the local number. UnoFax validates the number before you proceed.
If you're faxing internationally, the number formatting is handled for you. For country-specific tips, see our guides for the USA, UK, Japan, Germany, Australia, and France. For a complete guide, see how to send international faxes online.
Step 3: Add a Cover Sheet (Optional)
A fax cover sheet identifies the sender, recipient, subject, and page count. It's standard practice for business, legal, and medical faxes, and required by many government agencies, courts, and hospitals.
UnoFax generates a professional cover sheet as part of the sending process. Toggle it on, fill in the fields you need (all are optional), and it's added as the first page of your fax. The cover sheet is always free, and it doesn't count towards your per-page cost.
If the recipient speaks a different language, use our multilingual cover sheet with labels in 10+ languages including German, Japanese, Spanish, French, and Korean.
Step 4: Preview Every Page
After uploading, UnoFax shows you a full preview of every page, exactly as the recipient will receive it. This is your chance to catch problems before paying:
- Are all pages present and in the correct order?
- Is text sharp and readable?
- Does the cover sheet have the right recipient details?
- Are margins correct. No text cut off at the edges?
If anything looks wrong, go back and re-upload a corrected file. No charge is made until you confirm.
Step 5: Pay and Send
UnoFax charges a flat $0.29 AUD per page to any destination. No subscription, no hidden fees, no minimum. The cover sheet is always free. Payment is processed securely by Square (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay).
After payment, your fax is transmitted automatically. You can close the browser tab. Delivery continues in the background. If you provided an email address, you'll receive a delivery confirmation. You can also check your delivery status at any time from the home page.
If delivery fails (busy line, machine off, wrong number type), your payment is automatically refunded in full. No action required on your part.
Scanning Paper Documents on Your Computer
If your document exists on paper, you need to scan it before faxing. You have two options:
- Use a flatbed scanner: Most office scanners can save directly to PDF. Scan at 300 DPI in black and white or greyscale for the best fax results.
- Use your phone as a scanner: If you don't have a scanner, use your iPhone or Android to scan the document as a PDF, then transfer it to your computer (via AirDrop, email, or cloud storage) and upload it from there.
For multi-page documents, make sure all pages end up in a single PDF file rather than separate image files. This ensures correct page ordering and a cleaner fax output.
Scheduling for a Specific Time
Need the fax to arrive during the recipient's business hours? UnoFax lets you schedule your fax up to 7 days in advance. Choose the date and time, pay once, and the fax is sent automatically at the scheduled time.
This is especially useful for international faxes where the recipient is in a different time zone, so prepare your fax now and have it delivered when their office opens.
How This Compares to Fax Software and Drivers
Some guides suggest installing fax modem drivers, using Windows Fax and Scan, or buying third-party fax software. Here's why a browser-based service is simpler:
| Fax Software / Modem | Browser-Based (UnoFax) | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware needed | Fax modem + phone line | None, just a browser |
| Software install | Driver + fax application | None |
| Account required | Varies | No |
| Works on Mac | Limited support | Yes, any browser |
| International faxing | Requires international calling plan | Built in, 45+ countries |
| Preview before sending | Rarely | Yes, every page |
| Delivery confirmation | Basic | Email notification + status page |
| Cost | Hardware + phone charges | $0.29 AUD/page, pay as you go |
For most people, a browser-based service eliminates the need for hardware, drivers, and phone lines entirely. For a full comparison of online fax services, see our post on online fax services compared.
Quick Checklist
Before you send, run through this list:
- Document is saved as a PDF (or a supported format)
- Text is black on a white background for maximum clarity
- All pages are present and in the correct order
- Fax number includes the correct country code
- Cover sheet is attached if needed for business or legal contexts
- Preview looks correct. No cut-off text or missing pages
That's it. No fax machine, no phone line, no software to install. Open your browser, go to unofax.com, and send your fax. If you're on your phone instead, see our guide to sending a fax from your phone.