HP 61 vs HP 61XL: Page Yield, Compatible Printers and Is HP 61 Discontinued?

Quick answer: buy HP 61XL unless you print only a few pages a year. The original HP 61XL black (CH563WN) is rated for about 480 pages versus about 190 pages for the standard HP 61 black (CH561WN), and the 61XL tri-color (CH564WN) is rated for about 330 pages versus about 165 pages for the standard tri-color (CH562WN). Both sizes fit the same printers, so the XL simply gives you two to two-and-a-half times the pages for well under twice the price, which means a lower cost per page.

This guide compares HP 61 and 61XL side by side, explains HP's 2026 changes to the HP 61 lineup, lists the printers that use HP 61, and answers the questions people ask most: is HP 61 discontinued, is it interchangeable with HP 60, 62, 63 or 65, and can you refill it?

HP 61 vs. HP 61XL at a Glance

Cartridge	HP part number	Rated page yield*	Best for
HP 61 Black	CH561WN	~190 pages	Very occasional printing
HP 61XL Black	CH563WN	~480 pages	Most homes and students
HP 61 Tri-Color	CH562WN	~165 pages	Rare color printing
HP 61XL Tri-Color	CH564WN	~330 pages	Regular color pages, school projects
HP 61 High Yield Black (2026 version)	C0PA4AN	~360 pages	HP's newer replacement for the original 61XL black

*ISO/IEC 24711 yields at roughly 5% coverage. Real-world pages vary with what you print.

What's the Difference Between HP 61 and HP 61XL?

Only the amount of ink inside. The XL cartridge is the same physical size, uses the same printhead design and fits the same slot. HP fills the standard cartridge with less ink and prices it lower. There's no difference in print quality, color, or compatibility. For a deeper look at whether XL is worth it across brands, see is XL ink actually worth it.

Cost per page: why XL usually wins

Divide the price by the page yield. Because the XL holds more than twice the ink of the standard black but doesn't cost twice as much, its cost per page is lower. With remanufactured cartridges the gap widens: a remanufactured HP 61XL black from Castle Ink works out to about 5 cents per page, versus about 13.5 cents for the original HP 61XL black at a major office retailer (prices checked October 2026). Use our printer ink cost calculator to run the numbers for how much you print.

When the standard HP 61 makes sense

• You print a handful of pages a year and the cartridge would dry out before you finish an XL.
• You're about to replace the printer and only need to get through a few more jobs.

Anyone else is better served by XL.

Is HP 61 Ink Discontinued?

No. HP 61 is still sold, but HP refreshed the lineup in 2026. According to HP's own explainer on the HP 61 and 63/65 changes, some older HP 61 configurations are reaching end of life and being replaced with updated versions that have simplified names and updated yields. The original 61XL black is being succeeded by an "HP 61 High Yield Black" (part C0PA4AN, about 360 pages), and the tri-color is consolidating into a single "HP 61 Tri-Color." HP says the refreshed cartridges work in the same printers, so no new hardware is needed. HP also has an HP 61 and 63/65 FAQ.

That's why you may see empty shelves for the old CH563WN or CH564WN at some stores. Remanufactured cartridges built from original HP 61XL shells are still widely available, including at Castle Ink.

Which Printers Use HP 61 Ink?

HP 61 and 61XL fit these printers:

• HP DeskJet: 1000, 1010, 1050, 1051, 1055, 1056, 1510, 1512, 2000, 2050, 2510, 2512, 2514, 2540–2549 (incl. 2542), 3000, 3050 and 3050A–3056A, 3510–3512
• HP ENVY: 4500, 4501, 4502, 4504, 4505, 5530, 5531, 5532, 5534, 5535
• HP OfficeJet: 2620, 2622, 4630, 4632, 4635

Model guides for the DeskJet 1000 and DeskJet 1010 are also available. Not sure what your printer takes? Look up the exact model in our find ink by printer directory.

Is HP 61 Interchangeable With HP 60, 62, 63, 65 or 67?

No. Each HP cartridge number has a different shape, chip and contact layout, and a printer only accepts its own family.

Cartridge	Used in	Works in HP 61 printers?
HP 60 / 60XL	Older DeskJet D2500, F4200 and similar	No
HP 62 / 62XL	ENVY 5540, 5640, 7640; OfficeJet 5740	No
HP 63 / 63XL	DeskJet 1112, 2130, 3630; ENVY 4520; OfficeJet 3830	No. See HP 63 vs. 63XL.
HP 65 / 65XL	DeskJet 2600, 3700; ENVY 5000	No
HP 67 / 67XL	DeskJet 2700, 4100; ENVY 6000, 6400	No. See HP 67 vs. 67XL.

Can You Mix HP 61 and HP 61XL?

Yes. You can run an XL black with a standard tri-color, or the other way around. The printer treats them as the same cartridge family. Many people buy XL black and standard color because they print mostly text.

Can You Refill HP 61 Cartridges?

Technically yes: HP 61 cartridges have the printhead built into the cartridge, so a refill kit can work a few times. But home refilling is messy, the printhead wears out, and the chip may report the cartridge as empty or used. Our guide to refilling ink cartridges at home covers what works. The cleaner alternative is a remanufactured cartridge: an original HP 61XL shell that's professionally cleaned, refilled and print-tested, with the original HP chip. Here's how remanufactured, compatible and OEM compare.

How Long Does an HP 61 Cartridge Last?

By page count, see the yields above. By time, an unopened cartridge is best used within about two years of manufacture, and an installed cartridge typically lasts six months or more in a printer that's used regularly. Printing rarely is harder on ink than printing often, because nozzles dry out. More in how long ink cartridges last.

HP 61 Troubleshooting

• "Cartridge problem" or "used cartridge" message with a remanufactured cartridge: press OK or Continue. It's a notice, not an error.
• Cartridge not recognized: make sure the plastic tape is fully removed, wipe the copper contacts with a lint-free cloth, and reseat. Step by step: ink cartridge not recognized.
• Streaks or missing colors: run the printhead cleaning from the printer's Tools menu or HP Smart. See faded or streaky prints.
• New cartridge prints blank: see new ink cartridge not working.

Where to Buy HP 61XL Ink

Castle Ink sells remanufactured HP 61XL cartridges built from original HP shells, print-tested, with a 1-year satisfaction guarantee:

• Remanufactured HP 61XL Black (CH563WN), about 480 pages
• Remanufactured HP 61XL Tri-Color (CH564WN), about 330 pages
• Remanufactured HP 61XL Black MICR, for printing checks. See how to print checks at home.

Orders placed by 4 PM ET, Monday to Friday, ship the same day from Long Island, NY, and shipping is free on orders over $50.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pages does an HP 61 ink cartridge print?

About 190 pages for the standard black and 165 for the standard tri-color. The original 61XL is rated for about 480 black and 330 color pages.

Is HP 61XL worth it?

For most people, yes. It prints more than twice as many pages for less than twice the price, and you replace cartridges less often.

Does HP still make 61 ink cartridges?

Yes. HP refreshed the HP 61 lineup in 2026 with updated names and yields, but the cartridges still fit the same printers.

Can I use HP 60 ink instead of HP 61?

No. HP 60 and HP 61 have different shapes and chips and won't fit each other's printers.

Can I print with only the black HP 61 cartridge?

Often, yes. Many HP 61 printers support single-cartridge mode: remove the empty cartridge and the printer keeps printing with the other one, at reduced quality. If the empty cartridge stays installed, the printer usually asks you to replace it.

What's the difference between HP 61 and HP 61XL?

Ink volume only. Same size, same printers, same print quality; XL has about two to two-and-a-half times the pages.