How to Estimate Real Cost Per Page Before Buying

How to Calculate Cost Per Page

Step 1: Find Page Yield

Every ink cartridge and toner cartridge has a "page yield" - the number of pages it can print. This is usually based on 5% page coverage (one paragraph of text on an otherwise blank page).

Where to find it:

• Check the printer's specifications on the manufacturer's website
• Look at replacement cartridge listings (they show yield)
• Search "[printer model] page yield" online

Step 2: Find Replacement Cartridge Costs

Look up the price for replacement cartridges. You'll need:

• Black cartridge price and yield
• Color cartridge price and yield (for color printers, often sold as cyan, magenta, yellow separately or together)

Example: HP 67 black cartridge costs $21 and prints 120 pages. HP 67 color costs $24 and prints 100 pages.

Step 3: Do the Math

Cost per page formula: (Cartridge Price) ÷ (Page Yield) = Cost Per Page

Black-only example:
$21 ÷ 120 pages = $0.175 per page (17.5 cents)

For color printing: Add black + color costs
($21 ÷ 120) + ($24 ÷ 100) = $0.175 + $0.24 = $0.415 per page (41.5 cents)

Step 4: Calculate Yearly Cost

Multiply cost per page by your estimated yearly pages.

If you print 50 pages per month (600/year) at 17.5 cents per black page:
600 × $0.175 = $105/year in ink

Real-World Examples

Budget Inkjet (HP DeskJet 2755e)

• Printer cost: $59
• Black cartridge: HP 67, $21 for 120 pages = $0.175/page
• Color cartridge: HP 67, $24 for 100 pages = $0.24/page
• Cost per color page: $0.415 (41.5 cents)
• 600 pages per year: $249 in ink
• 2-year total cost: $59 + $498 = $557

Ink Tank (Epson EcoTank ET-2850)

• Printer cost: $249
• Replacement ink bottles: $9 black (7,500 pages), $9 each color (6,000 pages)
• Cost per black page: $0.0012 (0.12 cents)
• Cost per color page: ~$0.006 (0.6 cents)
• 600 pages per year: ~$4 in ink
• 2-year total cost: $249 + $8 = $257

Laser Printer (Brother HL-L2350DW)

• Printer cost: $139
• Toner: $60 for 3,000 pages = $0.02/page (2 cents)
• Cost per black page: $0.02 (2 cents)
• 600 pages per year: $12 in toner
• 2-year total cost: $139 + $24 = $163

Hidden Costs to Watch For

1. "XL" or "High Yield" Cartridges

Standard cartridges are a ripoff. Always buy XL/high yield versions - they cost more upfront but have much better cost per page.

Example:
HP 67 standard: $21 for 120 pages = 17.5¢/page
HP 67XL: $37 for 240 pages = 15.4¢/page

2. Separate Color Cartridges

Some printers use one tri-color cartridge (cyan, magenta, yellow together). When one color runs out, you throw away the whole cartridge even if the others are half full. Printers with separate color cartridges are more economical.

3. "Instant Ink" Subscriptions

HP and others offer ink subscription services ($0.99-$10/month for a set number of pages). Can be economical if you print consistently, but you're locked in and the printer stops working if you cancel.

4. Drum Units (Laser Printers)

Some laser printers require drum replacement every 12,000-50,000 pages ($80-150). Factor this into long-term costs for high-volume printing.

The 2-Year Total Cost Test

Don't just look at the printer price. Calculate:

(Printer Cost) + (2 years of ink/toner based on your usage) = Real Cost

A $250 ink tank printer that costs $10/year in ink ($270 total) beats a $60 inkjet that costs $250/year in cartridges ($560 total).