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 430 pages (HP first said 480) versus about 190 pages for the standard HP 61 black (CH561WN), and the 61XL tri-color (CH564WN) is rated for about 300 pages (first 330) versus about 165 pages for the standard tri-color (CH562WN). Both sizes fit the same printers, so the XL gives you roughly twice the pages for well under twice the price.

2026 update: HP has replaced these with new part numbers: the HP 61 High Yield Black (C0PA4AN), rated at about 360 pages, and a single HP 61 Tri-color (C0PA5AN), rated at about 200 pages, also sold together as C0PA6AN. There is no new XL tri-color, so the original 61XL tri-color, sold remanufactured, now holds the most color ink.

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

*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 5.6 cents per page, versus about 13.9 cents for HP's current HP 61 High Yield Black (C0PA4AN, $49.99 for about 360 pages) at Staples (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" (part C0PA5AN, about 200 pages); the two are also sold together as C0PA6AN. 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; Staples now lists the CH564WN 61XL tri-color as discontinued. 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.

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 430 pages
• Remanufactured HP 61XL Tri-Color (CH564WN), about 300 pages
• Remanufactured HP 61XL Black + Tri-Color Combo Pack, an XL alternative to HP's C0PA6AN
• 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 430 black and 300 color pages (HP first said 480 and 330). HP's 2026 cartridges are rated at about 360 for the C0PA4AN high-yield black and about 200 for the C0PA5AN tri-color.

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; the original XL has roughly twice the pages.

What are HP C0PA4AN, C0PA5AN and C0PA6AN?

HP's 2026 part numbers for HP 61: C0PA4AN is the HP 61 High Yield Black (about 360 pages), C0PA5AN is the HP 61 Tri-color (about 200 pages), and C0PA6AN is the two together. They fit the same printers as the original CH561WN–CH564WN cartridges.