How to Find Out Ink Levels in Your HP Printer (3 Easy Methods)
Last Updated:
Running out of ink mid-print is one of the most frustrating things that can happen at home or in the office. Fortunately, every modern HP printer makes it easy to check your ink levels before you start a big job. Here are three reliable ways to see how much ink is left in your HP printer, no matter which model you own.
Method 1: Check Ink Levels on the Printer's Display
If your HP printer has a built-in LCD or touchscreen, this is the fastest method. From the home screen, tap the ink-drop icon or open the Setup or Tools menu, then select Estimated Ink Levels. The screen will show a bar graph for each cartridge installed in your printer.
Method 2: Use the HP Smart App
The free HP Smart app (available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android) is the easiest way to monitor ink remotely. Once your printer is connected, open the app and tap your printer tile. The dashboard displays estimated ink levels for every cartridge along with handy reorder links.
Method 3: Check From Your Computer
On Windows, open Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click your HP printer, and choose Printing Preferences or Printer Properties. Look for an Estimated Ink Levels or Services tab. On a Mac, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select your HP printer, and click Options & Supplies > Supply Levels.
Why Ink Levels Are Estimates
HP printers don't measure ink with a physical sensor. Instead, they estimate consumption based on the number and type of pages you've printed. That means a low-ink warning doesn't always mean the cartridge is empty — you can often print dozens more pages before quality drops.
What to Do When Ink Runs Low
When a cartridge is genuinely empty, replace it promptly to avoid printhead damage on integrated-head models. Save money by switching to Castle Ink's compatible HP cartridges, which deliver the same page yields as OEM at up to 70% less.
Shop Compatible Ink & Toner at Castle Ink
Castle Ink offers compatible ink and toner cartridges that save you 50–70% compared to OEM prices. Guaranteed to work or your money back.
See also: Printer Ink Cost Calculator | Which printers work best with compatible ink