A fax number allows you to send and receive faxes from a dedicated phone line. Many businesses that rely on faxing include their fax number in their contact info near their phone number and address. Even businesses that don’t advertise their fax numbers often have one, but you may have to call or email them to get it.
Fax numbers usually look like phone numbers. If you’ve ever accidentally called one, you may have heard the distinctive tones that indicate a fax line.
Given their similarity, you may be wondering what makes a fax number different from a phone number and if there’s anything special about how fax numbers are issued and formatted. This guide will cover everything you need to know about fax numbers, including how they’re formatted and how you can tell if a number is a fax number or a phone number.
Fax Numbers Explained
Fax numbers allow fax machines to communicate over phone lines. The machines talk to each other in binary code, much like computers — except fax machines predate personal computers by decades. Traditional fax machines use this audible, binary code to transmit a replica of a document from one machine to the other over the telephone network.
Are Fax and Phone Numbers the Same?
Yes, fax and regular phone numbers are the same. A fax number is simply a phone number assigned to a fax machine instead of a phone. In many instances, you can use the same line for faxes and phone calls. The main reason for having separate lines is that you can’t use one line for both faxes and phone calls at the same time.
What Does a Fax Number Format Look Like?
The format of a fax number will depend on its location. In the United States, fax numbers are 10 digits and follow the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). The NANP was developed in 1947 to allow people to make long-distance calls without direct help from operators.
Under the NANP, the first digits of a fax number are the three-digit area code. The next three numbers are the central office code — which indicates a much smaller region within an area code. And the last four are the specific line numbers.
You may also need to include additional digits, such as a 1 before a fax number in a different area code within the same country. If sending faxes internationally, you must incorporate the international access code, also called the country code, in front of the fax number. The country code begins with the plus (+) sign of the international exit code and continues with a number that indicates the country, such as 1 for the US, 91 for India, and 44 for the UK.
With the advent of cell phones, phone and fax numbers no longer have to be linked to physical landlines. However, the numbers still follow the traditional patterns, even though the technology has changed.
How Can You Get a Number To Send and Receive Faxes Online?
Now that internet faxing has made communication so fast, cheap, and effective, most people don’t need to invest in large, costly fax machines. You can get a fax number online that provides all of the benefits of a fax machine without the expenses.
You can sign up with an online fax provider like MetroFax to get a dedicated fax number to use for sending and receiving faxes with just a few clicks. You only need to create an account, choose a plan, and sign up.
How To Confirm if a Number Is Indeed a Fax Line?
Because fax numbers look exactly like phone numbers, it’s not easy to tell the difference between them. If you want to confirm that the number you’re faxing to is a fax line, the most effective way is to call the person or department you’re faxing and ask.
Another way you can tell if a number is a fax line is to call the number directly. If you get a fax tone, that’s a sign it’s a fax number. However, if the other side didn’t hook up the fax machine when you called, this may not work.
You can also do a reverse number lookup on the internet by searching for the number. Sending a test fax is a fool-proof method for determining if a number is a fax line. You can send a sample fax and see if it goes through. If you get confirmation, you’re all set.
If you use an online fax service, it will usually have built-in tools that confirm you’re sending a fax to a fax line, so you can avoid the hassle.
How Do Online Fax Services Work?
Online faxing lets you send and receive information without buying or setting up physical fax machines. You can turn phones, tablets, or computers into modern fax machines in a few simple steps.
Start by choosing a reputable internet fax service such as MetroFax. You’ll need to create an account with your email address. You can either import your existing fax number or choose a new one. Then, you can pick a plan and get started faxing digital files.
The benefit of digital technology for fax transmission is that you can send a fax from anywhere at any time. You don’t need to be at the office or track down a shipping store with a fax machine. All you need to do is log into your account from a web browser or use the app on your phone or tablet.
Receiving faxes is even easier. Just log into your account and check the dashboard for any new faxes. You’ll also get notifications of new faxes through email, and you can view your fax directly from the message.
Share Important Documents Safely With MetroFax
MetroFax makes it easy and safe to send important information through faxing. You don’t need any special equipment or to pay a lot for services you don’t use very often. Our scalable fax server plans let you pick an option that suits your needs. Sign up today to get started faxing immediately.
