Can you have a fax number without a landline?

Last Update: August 9th, 2021

Yes, you can have a fax number without a landline phone line. An online fax service can host a fax number that you access through the internet.

To have a fax number and use a fax machine (or computer with fax software) you’ll need a landline phone line. VoIP phone lines will not work.

A cell phone can fax using an online fax service. It cannot carry a fax signal.

Summary

• You’ll need a landline phone line if you want to fax with a regular fax machine, multifunction printer, or computer.
• VoIP phone lines will not work with fax machines and computers with fax software.
• Some VoIP phone providers also offer online fax numbers.
• An online fax service can host a fax number without a landline phone line and provides all the software needed to access your faxes

Using an online fax service

An online fax service will let you send and receive faxes with email, the web, a smartphone app, or desktop software. It is a service that hosts the fax line, storage, and software for the service.

Why you need a landline for a fax machine

A fax machine (or computer with fax software) needs to be connected to the telephone network to send and receive faxes.

Fax is a digital signal that was designed to transmit over an analog phone line. Fax signals scramble when they are sent over a VoIP or internet phone line.