The time it takes to receive a fax usually depends on how the fax is being received. With a standard fax machine, it can take about one minute per page. With an online fax service, the process is almost instant—often just a few seconds before the document appears in your inbox or dashboard.
Traditional fax machines rely on analog phone lines to transfer data. When someone sends you a fax, your machine must connect to theirs, decode the signal, and print each page in sequence. If the line is busy or the document contains images, the process slows down. A five-page fax could take anywhere from five to seven minutes to fully print.
Online faxing removes most of these limitations. Because it runs through the cloud, the entire process—from transmission to delivery—happens digitally. The incoming fax is converted into a file (usually a PDF) and automatically stored in your account. There’s no waiting for paper to print, and you can access your received fax immediately from your phone or computer.
So, how long does it take to receive a fax?
- Traditional fax: 30–60 seconds per page
- Online fax: typically seconds per fax, regardless of length
For businesses that depend on speed and reliability, online faxing is the clear winner.
Receive your next fax instantly with iFax — no paper, no delays, just fast and secure delivery straight to your device.
