If you’ve ever wondered how much each page you print really costs, you’re not alone. Between toner, paper, and electricity, the numbers can get confusing. The good news: you don’t need a calculator or spreadsheet to get a clear idea. Here’s a simple way to understand your printing costs.
Step 1: Know Your Toner or Ink Cost
- Find the price of the cartridge you’re using (OEM, high-yield, or compatible).
- Example: A standard toner cartridge costs $80.
Step 2: Know the Cartridge Yield
- Cartridge yield is the number of pages it can print. Look at the page yield on the box, usually based on 5% page coverage.
- Example: That $80 cartridge prints 1,500 pages.
Step 3: Divide Cost by Pages
- Cost per page = Cartridge cost ÷ Number of pages
- Example: $80 ÷ 1,500 pages = $0.053 per page (about 5 cents).
Step 4: Add Paper Cost (Optional)
- If your paper costs $6 for 500 sheets:
- $6 ÷ 500 = $0.012 per page (about 1 cent).
- Total cost per page = $0.053 + $0.012 = $0.065 per page (6.5 cents).
Step 5: Remember Real-World Variations
- If you print graphics, photos, or dense text, toner usage goes up.
- High-yield cartridges lower your cost per page compared to standard ones.
- Draft or economy modes can reduce toner usage further.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a spreadsheet to figure out your cost per page. Divide the cartridge cost by the number of pages it prints, add paper if you want, and you’ve got a simple, practical number to guide your printing decisions.
