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.
CastleScore · October 2026
86/100 — Highly Recommended
Brother MFC-J470DW
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 80 | PCMag 4.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 92 | About 2.4¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured LC103 high-yield cartridges (about 600 pages each). |
| Reliability (13%) | 90 | No recurring hardware or connection complaints in owner reviews. |
| Features (12%) | 78 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi. No touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. Brother no longer sells the MFC-J470DW and has not named a direct replacement. This page is for people who already own one.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 12, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
LC103 BlackLC103BK · ~600 pages
LC103 CyanLC103C · ~600 pages
LC103 MagentaLC103M · ~600 pages
LC103 YellowLC103Y · ~600 pages
LC103 Black
LC103 Cyan
LC103 Magenta
LC103 YellowOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
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. Brother's LC103 listing also includes the MFC-J4310DW, J4410DW, J4510DW, J4610DW, J4710DW, J6520DW, J6720DW and J6920DW.
The MFC-J470DW is a compact wireless all-in-one with print, scan, copy and fax, a document feeder and automatic two-sided printing. Brother has discontinued it. Its 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.
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.
What MFC-J470DW owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, Brother's support pages and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Why do two-sided pages look lighter than one-sided pages?
That is how the printer works, not a faulty cartridge. TrustedReviews found that in duplex mode the J470DW builds black text from the color inks instead of the pigment black, so two-sided text looks paler.
I bought my J470DW in the UK. Why don't LC103 cartridges fit?
UK and European units take LC121 (about 300 pages) and LC123 (about 600 pages) cartridges instead of LC101 and LC103. Buy cartridges for the region the printer came from.
How much paper does the tray hold, and is there a bypass slot?
One 100-sheet cassette and no multipurpose or bypass feed. It handles paper up to 220 g/m².
Can I connect it with an Ethernet cable?
Reviews and Brother UK list only wireless (including Wi-Fi Direct) and USB connections, so plan on Wi-Fi or a USB cable.
Is it really 12 pages a minute?
Brother rates it at up to 12 pages a minute in black and 10 in color. TrustedReviews measured about 7 pages a minute on a short five-page black job over wireless, and called the wireless speed a weak point.
MFC-J470DW quirks worth knowing
- Brother lists 17 printers for the LC103BK, including bigger business models such as the MFC-J4310DW through J4710DW and the MFC-J6520DW, J6720DW and J6920DW.
- Brother does not make an "LC103XL". LC103 is the high-yield cartridge; "LC103XL" is a name some sellers use for it.
- There is no front USB port and no memory-card slot, so you can't print photos straight from a stick or card. The control panel is a 1.8-inch color screen, not a touchscreen.
- It prints at up to 6000 x 1200 dpi and scans at up to 2400 x 2400 dpi optical.
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 remanufactured or third-party 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.
Other printers that use LC101 and LC103
More Brother ink guides: Brother MFC-J1360DW · Brother MFC-J4355DW · Brother MFC-J6555DW · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Brother MFC-T780DW — CastleScore 90
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- Brother MFC-J4335DW — CastleScore 89
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 12, 2026 and will change over time.
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.