Printer Ink Cost Per Page Calculator

How "page yield" is calculated

Page yield numbers are standardized by ISO/IEC 24711 (color) and 19752 (black) — a test that prints a specific page with 5% ink coverage repeatedly until the cartridge runs out. If your typical pages have more coverage (photos, dark backgrounds, large fonts), your real-world yield will be lower than the rating.

Real-world cost per page

• Inkjet (cartridge): 4-12¢/page black, 10-25¢/page color. The cheapest cartridges per-bottle deliver the WORST cost per page.
• Inkjet (eco-tank / supertank): 0.3-1¢/page black, 1-3¢/page color. Higher upfront printer cost, 60-80% lower running cost.
• Laser (monochrome): 2-4¢/page. Best when print volume is high (>100 pages/month).
• Color laser: 6-15¢/page. Slow on photos but excellent for documents.
• Brand-name OEM cartridges: 2-3x the cost of compatible/refilled. Performance is sometimes better, sometimes identical.

The "cheap printer, expensive ink" trap

HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother often sell entry-level inkjets at LOSS to lock you into proprietary cartridges. A $50 printer with $40 replacement cartridges that yield 200 pages means you spend more on ink than the printer in the first year for an average household.

Eco-tank / supertank printers (Epson EcoTank, Canon MegaTank, HP Smart Tank) flip this — $250-400 upfront but the included ink lasts 2-3 years of typical use. Break-even is around 800-1,000 pages.

Laser vs inkjet for home use

• Monochrome laser (Brother HL-L2350DW, $200): Best for text-heavy printing, reports, taxes. Toner cartridge lasts 1,500-3,000 pages at 2-3¢/page.
• Color laser: Good for offices and businesses; overkill for most homes that print photos rarely.
• Inkjet: Better for photos, color reproduction, occasional use — but only if eco-tank, not cartridge.

For tested printers and ink calculators, see our office supplies reviews.