Printing Cost Calculator (Ink & Paper)
Work out what printing really costs per page and per job — ink or toner, paper and double-sided savings — for home and office printers.
How to use
- 1Enter your cartridge prices and page yields (on the box — measured at 5% coverage).
- 2Enter the job size and how much is in color.
How it's calculated
Cost per page = black cartridge ÷ black yield (+ color cartridge ÷ color yield for color pages) + paper per sheet. Double-sided printing halves the paper.
Frequently asked questions
What is page yield?
The number of pages a cartridge prints at ISO standard 5% coverage. Photos and heavy graphics use far more ink.
Is printing at home cheaper than a print shop?
For color, often not — inkjet color pages can cost 10–25¢. Laser and ink-tank printers are much cheaper per page.
How can I cut printing costs?
Print double-sided, use draft/grayscale mode, choose XL cartridges and consider an ink-tank or laser printer for high volume.