If you want to send a text message to a friend but you do not want to incur text messaging charges or you do not have a cell phone, you can still do so in a variety of different ways. From instant messaging services to cell phone providers, many companies now make it possible for you to send free text messages to a cell phone right from your computer.

Sign up for a Google Voice account by visiting Voice.Google.com.

Click the "Text" button at the top of the screen to open the "Send a Text Message" box.

Enter the cell phone number of the person your want to send a text to in the "To" field. Type your text in the "Message" box.

Click the "Send" button to send the text message from Google Voice on your computer. Replies to your text message will appear in your Google Voice inbox.

  • If you want to send a text message to a friend but you do not want to incur text messaging charges or you do not have a cell phone, you can still do so in a variety of different ways.
  • Click the "Send" button to send the text message from Google Voice on your computer.

Download and install Yahoo! Messenger to your computer.

Launch Yahoo! Messenger and click the "Get a new Yahoo! ID" link.

Log into Yahoo! Messenger once you have created a new account.

  • Download and install Yahoo!
  • Messenger once you have created a new account.

Click the "Actions" tab at the top of Messenger. Select "Send SMS Message" from the drop-down menu.

Enter the cell phone number of the person you want to text. Click the "OK" button.

Wait for the conversation box to open, then type your text message.

  • Click the "Actions" tab at the top of Messenger.
  • Wait for the conversation box to open, then type your text message.

Click the "Send" button to send the text message from Yahoo! Messenger on your computer. Replies to your text message will appear in the same conversation box.

Send a text message from your e-mail account by entering the recipient's cell phone number and his cell phone provider's e-mail domain in the "To" field and typing your text in the message field, then clicking the "Send" button. For instance, to send a text message to a Sprint cell phone, compose an e-mail to [email protected].

Visit your cell phone provider's website to see if it offers free online text messaging. Major providers like Sprint and Verizon Wireless offer this service to their customers.

Visit a website such as MobileSender.com or TextEm.net that allows you to send free text messages to anyone with a major cell phone provider.

TIP

Although it may be free to send text messages from your computer to a cell phone, the recipient may incur charges from her cell phone provider.