Fax numbers remain relevant today, even in an era dominated by digital communication. Industries like law and healthcare still rely on faxing because it offers unmatched reliability and ensures compliance with strict regulations.
Much like telephone numbers, fax numbers are tied to specific machines, servers, or online software to make sure your documents reach the intended recipient. But do fax numbers look like phone numbers? How many digits do they have? These details often depend on factors such as the destination and origin of the fax.
Online fax services, similar to physical machines, also rely on fax numbers—FaxBurner is one such service that has modernized the process. With our free fax app for iOS, you can send and receive faxes on the go. If email is more convenient, you can use our email-to-fax service for your computer or phone. FaxBurner combines simplicity with reliability, making faxing accessible and efficient for everyone.
What is a Fax Number and How Does it Work?
A fax number is a unique set of numbers assigned to a fax machine or an online fax service. While it looks like a phone number, it’s only used for sending and receiving documents. In other words, a fax number acts like an address for your documents. It directs the fax to the intended recipient.
Now, how it works is pretty straightforward. When you send a fax, the document is scanned and converted into an electronic signal. This signal travels through telephone lines to the recipient’s fax machine, where it’s processed and printed.
With online faxing, the process is digital—the document is sent electronically and can arrive directly in an email inbox or on a platform, skipping the need for a physical machine.
How Many Digits Are There in a Fax Number?
Fax numbers are almost identical to phone numbers. For this reason, you’ll need an area code if you are sending the fax outside of your local area.
Depending on the way the machine or the phone system is set up, you may need to use the number ‘1’ before the area code. After the area code, there are 7 more digits: one group of three and one group of four. This is the same for the United States and Canada.
As for sending within other countries, they have telephone numbers of varying lengths. The number of digits in those countries’ fax numbers will be different based on the country as well.
For example, phone and fax numbers from the United Kingdom will have 5 to 8 digits when dialing locally, or 9 to 10 digits when calling a location outside of the current area code. In Australia, a local fax number would have 8 digits, while a non-local one would be preceded by a ‘0’ and then a one-digit area code.
The number of digits in a fax number varies, depending on the origin and destination of the fax. That is why you absolutely need to make sure you look into the format of the fax number before you send it.
What About Faxing Internationally?
If you are faxing from one country to another, more digits are needed to successfully send your fax. That’s because international calls require additional digits in order to pass through the international switchboard.
These digits are called exit codes and they vary depending on the country a person is faxing to or from. Sending an online fax from Australia to the US or Canada would require the fax number to be preceded by the exit code ‘0011’ and then ‘1.’ After those numbers, it should be followed by the ten-digit fax number.
On the other hand, calling that same number from China, India, the UK, France, or Germany would require two less digits, as the exit code for these countries is only ‘00.’
Examples of International Fax Numbers
Using Exit Codes:
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- From Australia to the U.S.: 0011 1 212 555 1234 (exit code ‘0011,’ country code ‘1,’ area code ‘212’ for New York City, and local number)
- From Germany to the UK: 00 44 20 1234 5678 (exit code ‘00,’ country code ‘44,’ area code ‘20’ for London, and local number)
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Using the Plus Sign:
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- To the U.S.: +1 212 555 1234 (country code ‘1,’ area code ‘212,’ and local number)
- To the UK: +44 20 1234 5678 (country code ‘44,’ area code ‘20,’ and local number)
- To Australia: +61 2 8765 4321 (country code ‘61,’ area code ‘2,’ and local number)
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To be clearer about the plus sign “+” at the beginning of a fax number, this symbol is a universal way to indicate an international call.
When you include the plus sign, modern devices like smartphones and some advanced fax machines automatically replace it with the correct exit code for the country you’re dialing from.
However, it’s important to know that not all devices recognize the plus sign. Older fax machines, for instance, don’t have this capability, so you would need to manually key in the exit code before entering the country code and the rest of the fax number.
This means if you’re using an older fax machine in the U.S., you’d have to dial ‘011’ instead of the plus sign, followed by the country code, area code, and local number.
Standard Fax Number Format
Fax numbers vary by country, but they follow a standard structure. This is the format: The first number is the country code, followed by the area code, and then the local number.
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- Country Code: The country code is a one- to three-digit code that represents the country where the fax is being sent. For example, the country code for the United States and Canada is ‘1,’ the United Kingdom is ‘44,’ and Australia is ‘61.
- Area Code: The area code is typically a three-digit number that identifies a specific region within a country. However, some countries have shorter codes and others longer. In the U.S., area codes are typically three digits. For example, ‘212’ is used for New York City, while ‘415’ is for San Francisco. In some countries, like Australia, area codes are usually shorter. For instance, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory share the single-digit area code ‘2.’
- Local Number: This is the unique number for the recipient’s fax machine or service. It usually consists of 7 to 10 digits, depending on the country. A local number in the U.S. might look like ‘555-1234.’ In the UK, it could be ‘1234 567890.’
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To make it more clear, here are some examples:
Local Fax (within the same area):
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- U.S.: 555-1234 (within the same area code)
- UK: 567890 (local within the same region)
- Australia: 8765 4321 (local within the same state)
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National Fax (within the same country but outside the area code):
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- U.S.: 212 555 1234 (area code ‘212’ for New York City plus local number)
- UK: 020 1234 5678 (area code ‘020’ for London plus local number)
- Australia: 02 8765 4321 (area code ‘2’ for New South Wales plus local number)
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Fax Numbers vs. Phone Numbers
Is a fax number the same as a phone number?
Well at first glance, fax numbers and phone numbers look pretty similar. They often share the same format, including country codes, area codes, and local numbers. But despite these similarities, they serve very different purposes. A phone number connects you to someone for a conversation, while a fax number is specifically used for sending documents.
Interestingly, some phone lines can be shared between phones and fax machines. In these cases, the system determines whether it’s handling a voice call or a fax and processes it accordingly. However, most people keep their fax numbers separate from their phone numbers to avoid confusion.
How to Confirm If a Number Is a Fax Line
Not sure if a number is a fax line? Don’t worry; it happens more often than you’d think. Here are some practical tips to help you figure it out:
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- Call the Number Directly: The easiest way to check is to call the number. If it’s a fax line, you’ll hear a series of beeps or tones instead of a regular ringtone. This sound is the fax machine attempting to connect to another machine.
- Ask the Recipient: If you have contact with the person or business, just ask them. They’ll let you know if it’s a dedicated fax number or if they’re using a shared line that also accepts voice calls.
- Check for a Fax Header: If you’ve received faxes from this number before, check the header at the top of the document. Most faxes include the sending number, which you can verify.
- Look at the Contact Information: Businesses often list their fax number separately from their phone number. Check their website, email signature, or any printed materials. Fax numbers are usually labeled clearly.
- Use an Online Fax Tool: Some online fax services allow you to send a quick test fax. If the number connects and the document goes through, you’ll know it’s a working fax line.
- Ask for Help from a Service Provider: If you’re unsure and have no way to test it yourself, you can contact your phone or fax service provider. They might be able to verify whether a number is registered as a fax line.
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How to Sign Up for FaxBurner
Getting started with an online fax service like FaxBurner is quick and easy. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you sign up and start faxing in no time:
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- Visit the FaxBurner Website or Download the App: Head to the FaxBurner website or download the app from your device’s app store. The app is available for iOS, making it convenient to use on your smartphone or tablet.
- Create an Account: Once you open the app or visit the website, click on “Sign Up” or “Create an Account.” You’ll be prompted to enter some basic information, like your name, email address, and a password.
- Verify Your Email: After entering your details, check your email for a verification link. Click on the link to confirm your account and activate your free online fax service.
- Select Your Plan: FaxBurner offers both free and paid plans. With the free plan, you’ll be assigned a temporary fax number that’s active for 24 hours, perfect for occasional use. If you need a permanent fax number or additional features, you can upgrade to a paid plan.
- Start Faxing: Once your account is set up and you have your fax number, you’re ready to go. You can send a fax by uploading your document directly from your device or cloud storage. If you receive a fax, it will show up in the app or be emailed to you as a PDF for easy access.
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Wrapping up how many digits are in a fax number
Faxing is a quick, and reliable way to send documents. It’s important to know how a fax number works though, so that you can successfully use the technology. Follow the guidelines above to ensure you’re sending a fax to the right number, whether you’re sending locally, out of area but within your country, or internationally.
