HP 68 Ink Cartridges Explained: Which Printers Use HP 68, 68 vs 68e vs 67, and What Each Page Costs (2026)

Last updated: November 9, 2026.

Quick answer: HP 68 is the ink cartridge family for HP's newer home printers: the ENVY 6100e and 6500e series (6152e, 6155e, 6165e, 6552e, 6555e, 6558e) and the DeskJet 2900 and 4300 series (2923, 2942, 2952, 2955, 4355, 4358). There are three cartridges: HP 68 black (7FP21TN, about 160 pages), HP 68 tri-color (7FP20TN, about 120 pages) and the higher-capacity HP 68e EvoMore black (7FP22TN, about 320 pages). HP does not make an "HP 68XL". HP 68 is not interchangeable with HP 67, even though the printers have almost identical names.

We don't sell HP 68 cartridges, so this guide has nothing to sell you. It exists because "HP 68 ink" is now one of the most-searched cartridge numbers, and most of what comes up is marketplace listings with made-up names.

HP 68 cartridges at a glance

Prices are Staples and Quill listings checked November 2026; yields are HP's ratings. Prices change often.

Two things jump out. First, these are small cartridges: 120 pages of color is a few weeks of homework for a busy household. Second, the 68e is not the bargain its size suggests. It holds twice the ink of a standard 68 black but costs almost twice as much, so it works out to only about 7% less per page (16.8¢ against 18.1¢). Buy it because you want to change cartridges half as often, not because it saves real money.

Which printers use HP 68 ink?

Retailer compatibility lists for the HP 68 2-pack name these models:

• HP ENVY 6100e series: 6152e, 6155e (now also sold as the 6155), 6165e
• HP ENVY 6500e series: 6552e, 6555e, 6558e
• HP DeskJet 2900 series: 2923, 2942, 2952, 2955
• HP DeskJet 4300 series: 4355, 4358

If your printer's model number isn't here, look at the cartridge you're replacing. The number is printed on the label, and it's the only check that never goes wrong.

HP 68 vs HP 67: why they don't swap

This is the mistake we see most. HP sold the ENVY 6000 and 6400 and the DeskJet 2700, 2800 and 4100 series on HP 67 for years. Their replacements look almost the same and have neighboring model numbers, but they moved to HP 68:

The cartridges are keyed differently and use different chips. An HP 67 will not seat in an HP 68 printer, and the reverse is also true. If a listing claims one cartridge fits "HP 67 and 68 printers", treat it as a red flag.

Is there an HP 68XL?

Not from HP. HP's high-capacity HP 68 is the 68e EvoMore black, and there is no high-capacity tri-color. The many "68XL" listings on Amazon and Walmart are third-party cartridges using a familiar-sounding name. Some are remanufactured from genuine HP 68 shells and some are newly built. Check what you're actually getting before you buy, because the chip question below decides whether it works at all.

Can you use compatible or remanufactured HP 68 cartridges?

Sometimes, and two separate HP systems decide it.

• HP+. Every "e" model offers HP+ during setup. If you accepted it, HP's terms require Original HP ink for the life of the printer, and no third-party cartridge will work. HP+ can't be switched off afterwards.
• Dynamic security. Even without HP+, HP lists these printers as dynamic-security models. They block cartridges with non-HP chips, and a firmware update can block a cartridge that worked last month. Remanufactured cartridges that reuse HP's original chip are the ones most likely to keep working.

Remanufactured HP 68 does exist. LD Products, for example, sells a remanufactured 68e black and 68 tri-color set that was $49.98 on sale when we checked, against $82.88 for the same two cartridges new from HP. Because HP 68 is still young, there are fewer empty genuine shells to remanufacture, which is one reason we don't stock it yet. Before buying any third-party HP 68, turn off automatic firmware updates (here's how) and confirm HP+ is not active.

Is HP Instant Ink cheaper for an HP 68 printer?

For a lot of HP 68 owners, yes. At these cartridge sizes, genuine HP 68 costs 17 to 24 cents a page. Instant Ink's lower tiers work out to roughly 12 cents a page, color included, as long as you stay within your monthly allowance. The catches are that the cartridges stop working if you cancel and unused pages roll over only up to a cap. Our Instant Ink cost comparison runs the numbers for different print volumes.

If you haven't bought a printer yet and expect to print more than a few pages a week, a cartridge-free ink tank printer costs a fraction of a cent per page. See EcoTank vs MegaTank vs Smart Tank compared.

HP 68 Ink: Common Questions

How many pages does HP 68 print?

HP rates the HP 68 black at about 160 pages, the HP 68 tri-color at about 120 pages and the HP 68e EvoMore black at about 320 pages, all at standard 5% page coverage. Photos and full-color pages use far more ink.

What is the difference between HP 68 and HP 68e?

Both are black cartridges for the same slot. HP 68 is the standard size (about 160 pages) and HP 68e EvoMore is the high-capacity version (about 320 pages). There is no 68e tri-color.

Will HP 67 work in an HP ENVY 6155e or DeskJet 2955?

No. Those printers take HP 68. HP 67 fits the older ENVY 6000 and 6400 series and the DeskJet 2700, 2800 and 4100 series.

Does Castle Ink sell HP 68?

Not yet. We'd rather tell you that than sell you an HP 67 that won't fit. If you own an older HP 67 printer, our remanufactured HP 67 cartridges keep HP's original chip.

Can I print with only one HP 68 cartridge installed?

The ENVY 6155e supports single-cartridge mode, so it will keep printing in black-only or color-only when one cartridge is empty. Quality drops, so treat it as a stopgap.

More help: What ink does the HP ENVY 6155e use? · Printers that don't lock you into OEM ink · Does compatible ink void your warranty? · Find Ink by Printer

By William Elward, founder of Castle Ink (in business since 2005).

Sources

Prices and yields were checked on November 9, 2026 and will change over time.

• Staples: HP 68 black (7FP21TN)
• Staples: HP 68 tri-color (7FP20TN)
• Staples: HP 68e EvoMore black (7FP22TN)
• Quill: HP 68 2-pack (6L6S2TN) and compatible printers
• LD Products: remanufactured HP 68e / 68 set
• HP+ FAQ