What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J470DW Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Brother MFC-J470DW uses Brother LC103 (high-yield) or LC101 (standard) ink in four separate cartridges: black, cyan, magenta and yellow. Each high-yield LC103 cartridge prints about 600 pages, twice the LC101.
Brother MFC-J470DW Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother LC101 Black / Color | LC101BK / C / M / Y | Black, cyan, magenta, yellow | ~300 pages each |
| Brother LC103 Black | LC103BK | Black | ~600 pages |
| Brother LC103 Cyan | LC103C | Cyan | ~600 pages |
| Brother LC103 Magenta | LC103M | Magenta | ~600 pages |
| Brother LC103 Yellow | LC103Y | Yellow | ~600 pages |
The same LC103 / LC101 cartridges fit the Brother MFC-J245, MFC-J285DW, MFC-J450DW, MFC-J470DW, MFC-J475DW, MFC-J650DW, MFC-J870DW, MFC-J875DW and DCP-J152W.
The MFC-J470DW is a compact wireless all-in-one with print, scan, copy and fax and a 20-sheet document feeder. Brother's front-loading cartridges make swapping colors quick.
Do not confuse LC103 with LC203 or LC3013. Those fit newer Brother models such as the MFC-J480DW and MFC-J491DW and will not fit the J470DW.
Save on Brother LC103 / LC101
Castle Ink carries the high-yield LC103 Black, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow cartridges, plus a remanufactured LC103XL black and 3-color 4-pack. Every cartridge is tested, backed by a 1-year guarantee, ships the same day when you order by 4 PM ET, and ships free on orders over $50.
Want to compare the real cost per page? Try our printer ink cost calculator.
How to Replace the Ink in the Brother MFC-J470DW
- With the printer on, open the ink cartridge cover on the front right of the printer.
- Push the release lever on the cartridge you are replacing and pull it out toward you.
- Unpack the new cartridge and remove the orange protective cap. Do not touch the chip area.
- Insert the cartridge in the direction of the arrow on the label and push it until it locks.
- Close the cover. The printer resets the ink counter for that color automatically.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Cannot detect" or "No ink cartridge": Pull the cartridge out, check that the orange cap is off, and push it back in firmly until the lever locks. If the message stays, remove and reinsert every cartridge, then turn the printer off and on.
Faded or streaky prints: Run Cleaning from the Ink menu on the control panel, then print a test page. Repeat once if needed, and let the printer rest for a few minutes between cycles.
"Ink low" right after installing a new cartridge: Make sure the cartridge is fully seated, then restart the printer so it re-reads the chip.
Official Brother Resources
Bottom Line
The Brother MFC-J470DW runs on four LC103 or LC101 cartridges. LC103 high-yield is the better value per page.
Written and reviewed by William Elward — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry. Updated October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use LC101 and LC103 together?
Yes. They fit the same slots; LC103 simply holds more ink.
How many cartridges does the MFC-J470DW use?
Four: black, cyan, magenta and yellow.
Will LC203 cartridges fit?
No. LC203 is for newer Brother models such as the MFC-J480DW.
Does using compatible ink void my Brother warranty?
No. The U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act stops Brother from voiding your warranty just because you used third-party ink.
Shop Ink at Castle Ink
Find the right cartridge for the Brother MFC-J470DW and every other printer we cover on the Find Ink by Printer page, browse all Brother ink cartridges, or work through a fault at our printer troubleshooting center.
Looking for a new printer? Brother inkjet printers on Amazon — as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
See also: best compatible ink for Brother printers | ink cartridge not recognized | how to clean print heads
Need replacement Brother ink cartridges? Shop Brother ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.
An independent 0–100 score for every printer, refreshed monthly from thousands of owner reviews and expert tests — plus what the ink or toner actually costs to run. See this month's Top 10 inkjet and laser rankings, or use the PrinterIQ™ finder.
See the CastleScore rankings →