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How Long Does a Fax Take to Go Through?

How Long Does a Fax Take to Go Through?

How Long Does a Fax Take to Go Through?

It may come to you as a surprise, but faxing is still a popular method of communication across various industries, despite the increasing popularity of numerous digital channels. Although some may consider faxing to be outdated, it still remains a reliable and secure method of transmitting important documents.

However, one of the common questions that may appear is – how long does it take to fax something? Unfortunately, there isn’t a straightforward answer to this question, as several factors can affect the time it takes to send or receive a fax. Keep on reading to learn more about them!

What Are the Factors Determining the Exact Time Necessary to Send a Fax?

There are several factors that can impact the time necessary for a fax to go through, such as: 

  • The Fax Machine Quality. The first factor is the quality of the fax machine being used. Older fax machines may take longer to transmit documents, whereas newer machines may have faster processing speeds. 
  • The Phone Line Quality and Capacity. The quality of the phone line being used can also impact the time it takes to send or receive a fax. What’s more, poor connections or busy phone lines can cause delays in fax transmission.
  • The Number of Pages. Another factor that can impact the time it takes to send a fax is the number of pages being sent. The more pages that need to be transmitted, the longer it will take.
  • The Document Type. Additionally, the type of document being sent can also impact the time it takes to send a fax. Simple text documents may be transmitted faster than images or graphics-heavy documents.

How Long Does a Fax Take to Go Through Using a Machine?

When sending a fax using a traditional fax machine, the time it takes for a document to go through can vary depending on the factors mentioned above. On average, it can take anywhere from 1-5 minutes for a fax to go through using this old-fashioned method. If your fax machine is relatively new and of high quality, and the phone line is not too busy, the time may shorten.

An old fax machine with an empty sheet of paper

It is important to note that if a fax does not go through on the first attempt, the machine will continue to try to send the document until it is successful. This can result in multiple attempts, which can increase the overall time it takes for the fax to go through, so make sure to do everything right and prevent such repetitions from happening over and over again.

How Long Does a Fax Take to Go Through Using an Online App?

In recent years, online faxing services have become increasingly popular. These services allow users to send and receive faxes using an internet connection rather than a traditional fax machine. When using an online faxing service, the time it takes for a fax to go through can vary depending on the service being used and the quality of the internet connection.

On average, it can take anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes for an online fax to go through. However, some online faxing services may offer faster transmission times, depending on the plan selected.

A man using an online faxing app on his smartphone in the office

How Long Does It Take to Receive a Fax?

If you are a fax recipient, you may wonder – how long does it take to receive a fax? Receiving a fax can take varying amounts of time, depending on a few different factors. 

Generally, it can take anywhere from half a minute to 3 minutes for a fax to be received. However, if the sender is using an older fax machine or there are some problems with the phone line, it may take longer than that. 

It’s worth noting that some online faxing services may offer quicker transmission times for receiving faxes, with some being received almost instantly, depending on the standard of the service used.

How to Make the Fax Sending Process Faster

There are a few things to do if you want to send faxes faster. First, you can ensure that you are using a high-quality fax machine and that the phone line being used is of good quality if you can afford such expenses.

Secondly, it is recommended that you compress the file before sending it. As a result, you will reduce its size and make it easier to transmit. 

Another thing you can do is choose the best online faxing service that offers faster transmission times or higher plan options, such as FaxBurner.

A woman faxing from her smartphone outside

Conclusion

In conclusion, the time it takes for a fax to go through can vary depending on several factors, such as the quality of the fax machine, phone line, and the size and type of document being sent. 

The most convenient and cost-effective solution may be to give up on buying a new expensive faxing machine and instead invest in a beneficial online faxing service plan offered by FaxBurner. 

In this way, you can improve the sending and receiving process significantly without any new equipment – our app can be used on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, no matter where you are. You can even get a free package first to try it out. Check out our online faxing service plans!