Cost Per Page Calculator

How to Use the Cost Per Page Calculator

Enter the cost of your printer cartridge and its rated page yield (found on the packaging or manufacturer website). The calculator shows the cost per page and cost per 100 pages. Optionally, enter your estimated monthly page count to see monthly and yearly printing costs, plus how many cartridges you will need per year. This helps you budget for printing expenses and compare different cartridge or printer options.

For multi-cartridge printers, calculate the cost per page for each cartridge separately and add them together for the total cost per page. For color printing, you need to account for the black cartridge plus the three color cartridges. Many printer manufacturers publish the total cost per page on their specifications pages.

Choosing a Printer Based on Cost Per Page

The purchase price of a printer is just the beginning. The ongoing cost of ink or toner is the real expense over the life of the printer. A $50 inkjet printer with cartridges that cost $0.10 per page will cost far more over time than a $250 laser printer at $0.02 per page. If you print 200 pages per month, the inkjet costs $240 per year in ink, while the laser costs just $48 per year in toner. The laser printer pays for itself in under a year.

Laser vs. Inkjet Cost Per Page

Laser printers generally have a lower cost per page than inkjet printers, especially for black-and-white printing. Standard laser cartridges yield 2,000-10,000 pages at $0.01-0.03 per page. Standard inkjet cartridges yield 200-500 pages at $0.05-0.15 per page. However, newer tank-based inkjet printers have dramatically reduced inkjet per-page costs to compete with laser printers, sometimes achieving under $0.01 per black page.

Compatible vs. OEM Cartridges

Third-party compatible cartridges can reduce cost per page by 50-80% compared to original manufacturer cartridges. A name-brand cartridge at $40 for 500 pages ($0.08 per page) versus a compatible at $12 for 500 pages ($0.024 per page) represents significant savings. Quality varies among third-party suppliers, so read reviews before purchasing. Some printer warranties may be affected by non-OEM cartridges, though this is increasingly rare.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate cost per page for a printer?

Divide the cartridge cost by its page yield. A $30 cartridge rated for 500 pages costs $0.06 per page. For color, add all cartridge costs per page together.

What is a good cost per page for printing?

Laser: $0.01-0.03 for black, $0.08-0.15 for color. Inkjet: $0.05-0.10 for black, $0.10-0.25 for color. Tank-based inkjet: under $0.01 for black.

Is a cheap printer more expensive per page?

Often, yes. Inexpensive inkjets have smaller, pricier cartridges. Over time, ink costs can far exceed the printer's purchase price.

How do I reduce printing costs?

Use draft mode, print double-sided, use compatible cartridges, switch to laser for high-volume black-and-white, and preview before printing.

Should I include paper cost in cost per page?

For a complete analysis, yes. Standard copy paper costs about $0.01-0.02 per sheet. Add this to ink or toner cost for total printing cost per page.