Understanding your true cost per page is the key to saving money on printing. This guide explains how cost per page works and how to use it to make better buying decisions.
What Is Cost Per Page?
Cost per page (CPP) is the amount you pay for each page you print. It's calculated by dividing the cartridge price by the number of pages it can print.
Simple Formula
Example
If an HP 305 Black cartridge costs £20 and prints 200 pages:
- Cost per page = £20 ÷ 200 = £0.10 (10p per page)
Why Cost Per Page Matters
The upfront price of a cartridge can be misleading. A cheaper cartridge might actually cost more per page if it prints fewer pages.
Example Comparison
Cartridge A (Standard)
- Price: £18
- Yield: 200 pages
- Cost per page: 9p
Cartridge B (XL)
- Price: £35
- Yield: 500 pages
- Cost per page: 7p
Even though Cartridge B costs more upfront, it's cheaper per page. If you print 500 pages, you'd save £5 with Cartridge B.
Factors Affecting Cost Per Page
1. Cartridge Size
Standard Cartridges
- Lower upfront cost
- Higher cost per page
- Good for occasional printing
XL/High-Yield Cartridges
- Higher upfront cost
- Lower cost per page
- Better value for regular printing
2. Color vs Black
Black Cartridges
- Usually cheaper per page
- Single color
- Higher yield
Color Cartridges
- More expensive per page
- Multiple colors (or tri-color)
- Lower yield per color
3. Original vs Compatible
Original Manufacturer Cartridges
- Higher price
- Guaranteed yield
- Reliable quality
Compatible Cartridges
- Lower price
- Similar or slightly lower yield
- Can significantly reduce cost per page
How to Calculate Your Monthly Printing Cost
Step 1: Determine Your Printing Volume
Track how many pages you print per month:
- Check printer usage reports
- Count pages manually for a week, then multiply
- Use printer software to see usage
Step 2: Calculate Black vs Color Pages
Most people print more black than color. Estimate the split:
- Example: 70% black, 30% color
- For 200 pages/month: 140 black, 60 color
Step 3: Calculate Monthly Cost
Black Pages:
- Pages per month × Black cost per page
- Example: 140 × £0.05 = £7/month
Color Pages:
- Pages per month × Color cost per page
- Example: 60 × £0.08 = £4.80/month
Total Monthly Cost:
- £7 + £4.80 = £11.80/month
Step 4: Calculate Annual Cost
Monthly cost × 12 = Annual cost
- £11.80 × 12 = £141.60/year
Using Our Cost Per Page Calculator
Our ink calculator makes this easy:
- Select your printer - We know which cartridges it uses
- Enter your printing volume - Pages per month
- Choose cartridge options - Standard vs XL, original vs compatible
- See results - Cost per page, monthly cost, annual cost
The calculator shows:
- Cost per page for black and color
- Monthly and annual ink costs
- Savings from using XL cartridges
- Comparison with other printers
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Light User (50 pages/month)
Standard Cartridges:
- Black: 50 × £0.09 = £4.50/month
- Color: 15 × £0.12 = £1.80/month
- Total: £6.30/month
XL Cartridges:
- Black: 50 × £0.07 = £3.50/month
- Color: 15 × £0.09 = £1.35/month
- Total: £4.85/month
Savings: £1.45/month (£17.40/year)
Example 2: Heavy User (500 pages/month)
Standard Cartridges:
- Black: 350 × £0.09 = £31.50/month
- Color: 150 × £0.12 = £18/month
- Total: £49.50/month
XL Cartridges:
- Black: 350 × £0.07 = £24.50/month
- Color: 150 × £0.09 = £13.50/month
- Total: £38/month
Savings: £11.50/month (£138/year)
Tips for Lowering Cost Per Page
- Use XL cartridges if you print 50+ pages/month
- Print in draft mode for internal documents
- Use grayscale when color isn't needed
- Consider compatible cartridges for non-critical printing
- Print double-sided to reduce page count
- Use print preview to avoid wasted pages
- Consider upgrading to EcoTank or laser for high volume
When to Upgrade Your Printer
If your cost per page is high, consider:
- EcoTank printers - Can reduce cost per page to 1-2p
- Laser printers - Lower cost per page for black and white
- Subscription plans - HP Instant Ink can reduce costs
Use our upgrade advisor to see if upgrading makes financial sense.
Conclusion
Understanding cost per page helps you make informed decisions about cartridges and printers. Don't just look at the upfront price - calculate the true cost based on your printing volume.
Use our cost per page calculator to see your actual printing costs, or check if upgrading makes sense for your usage.
Browse printers by cost per page to find the best value options.