Free Tool
Fax Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of sending your faxes based on page count and destination
Fax Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of sending your faxes based on page count and destination
How Does Fax Pricing Work?
The cost of sending an online fax varies based on several factors. Here's what you need to know to estimate your expenses.
Number of Pages
Most services charge based on the number of pages sent. The longer your document, the higher the cost. Subscription plans typically include a certain number of monthly pages (e.g., 200 pages/month).
Destination
Sending a fax internationally generally costs more than domestic sending. Some services offer uniform pricing regardless of destination, while others apply surcharges for certain countries.
Subscription Type
Online fax services offer monthly or annual subscriptions. The more faxes you send, the more worthwhile it is to choose a plan with a higher page volume. For occasional use, pay-as-you-go services like FaxZero are better options.
Additional Fees
Some providers charge setup fees per fax sent, or additional costs for certain features (electronic signature, OCR, storage). Always verify complete pricing terms before committing.
Real-World Fax Cost Examples
Here are practical scenarios showing what different businesses typically spend on fax services based on verified 2025 pricing.
Medical Practice
Scenario: Patient records (5-10 pages per fax)
Destination: Domestic
Estimated cost: $0.40 - $0.80 per fax
đź’ˇ Tip: HIPAA-compliant services like iFax or eFax are essential for medical data
Small Business
Scenario: Purchase orders & invoices (2-3 pages)
Destination: Local/Same state
Estimated cost: $0.10 - $0.15 per fax
đź’ˇ Tip: Monthly plans become cost-effective above 50 faxes/month
Law Firm
Scenario: Legal contracts (15-30 pages per fax)
Destination: International
Estimated cost: $2.25 - $4.50 per fax
đź’ˇ Tip: Check for volume discounts if sending 100+ pages monthly
Occasional User
Scenario: Administrative document (1-2 pages)
Destination: Domestic
Estimated cost: $0.08 - $0.16 per fax
đź’ˇ Tip: Free services like FaxZero work great for rare, one-off needs
5 Ways to Cut Your Fax Costs
Compress your documents smartly
Reduce page counts by tightening margins, using smaller fonts for headers, and removing unnecessary whitespace. Cutting from 5 pages to 3 pages = instant 40% savings on every fax.
Match your plan to actual usage
Track your monthly volume for 2-3 months. Under 20 faxes? Stick with pay-per-use. Over 50 faxes? A subscription plan typically saves 30-50% compared to per-page pricing.
Batch your fax transmissions
Some providers offer bulk sending discounts. Instead of sending documents individually throughout the day, queue them up and send in one batch to qualify for lower rates.
Pay annually, not monthly
Annual billing typically offers 15-20% discounts versus month-to-month. For a $10/month service, that's $24 saved per year—essentially getting 2+ months free.
Watch for hidden fees
Setup fees, per-fax charges, international surcharges, and document storage fees add up quickly. Always read the fine print and calculate total cost, not just the advertised monthly rate.
Fax Cost Calculator FAQ
What's the average cost to send a fax in 2026?
For domestic faxing, expect $0.05 to $0.20 per page with online services. Monthly subscriptions start around $6.99 for 200 pages. A typical 5-page fax costs approximately $0.50–$1.00 depending on your service and plan.
Is international faxing more expensive?
Yes, significantly. International rates run 2-3x higher than domestic, typically $0.15–$0.50 per page depending on the destination country. However, some modern services like Fax.Plus offer flat-rate pricing regardless of destination.
Do "unlimited" fax plans really exist?
Sort of. Most "unlimited" plans have fair use policies capping you at 500-1,000 pages monthly. Exceed that and you'll face overage charges. Always check the actual page limits hidden in the terms of service.
What hidden costs should I watch out for?
Common surprise fees include: per-fax setup charges ($0.10-$0.50), long-term document storage fees, toll-free number receiving charges, and premium features like e-signatures or OCR. Ask for total monthly cost examples during signup.
Can I actually send faxes for free?
Yes. FaxZero offers 5 free 3-page faxes daily to USA/Canada (with ads on cover page). For other destinations or higher volume, you'll need a paid service. Most premium services offer 7-14 day free trials worth exploring.
Per-page pricing vs. subscription: which is cheaper?
Simple math: Under 20 faxes monthly? Pay-per-page wins. Between 20-50 faxes? It's a toss-up—calculate both ways. Over 50 faxes? Subscriptions become clearly cheaper, often by 40-50%.
Ready to send your fax?
Discover our selection of the best online fax services or explore our other free tools