What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J480DW Use?
Last Updated:Correction: an earlier version of this article listed the DCP-J152W and MFC-J985DW as LC203 printers. The DCP-J152W uses LC101/LC103 and the MFC-J985DW uses LC20E.
CastleScore · October 2026
82/100 — Highly Recommended
Brother MFC-J480DW
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 74 | 3.80★ average across 1,924 ratings at Amazon (3.8) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 89 | About 3.3¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured LC203 high-yield cartridges (about 550 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%) | 82 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough published expert scores for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. Brother USA marks the MFC-J480DW discontinued and shows no replacement model.
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 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
LC203 4-packBlack + Cyan/Magenta/Yellow
LC203 BlackLC203BK · ~550 pages
LC203 CyanLC203C · ~550 pages
LC203 MagentaLC203M · ~550 pages
LC203 4-pack
LC203 Black
LC203 Cyan
LC203 MagentaOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what ink does the Brother MFC-J480DW use?
The Brother MFC-J480DW uses 4 Brother LC201/LC203 cartridges: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Standard LC201 and higher-yield LC203 cartridges fit the same slots. LC203 high-yield cartridges print about twice as many pages as LC201. Each color is a separate cartridge, so you only replace the one that runs out.
Cartridge options at a glance
| Cartridge | Part numbers | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| Brother LC201 (standard yield) | LC201BK / LC201C / LC201M / LC201Y | ~260 pages each |
| Brother LC203 (high yield) | LC203BK / LC203C / LC203M / LC203Y | ~550 pages each |
*Approximate ISO yields from published cartridge specifications. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.
Common questions about Brother MFC-J480DW ink
Should I buy LC201 or LC203 for the MFC-J480DW?
LC203 for most people. LC203 high-yield cartridges print about twice as many pages as LC201. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers.
Can I mix standard and high-yield cartridges?
Yes. Each cartridge is read separately, so any mix of LC201 and LC203 works.
What other printers use Brother LC203 ink?
LC201/LC203 also fits the MFC-J460DW, MFC-J485DW, MFC-J680DW, MFC-J880DW, MFC-J885DW, MFC-J4320DW, MFC-J4420DW, MFC-J4620DW, MFC-J5520DW, MFC-J5620DW, and MFC-J5720DW. If you own more than one, a single stock of cartridges covers them all.
Will other Brother cartridges fit the MFC-J480DW?
No. Brother LC101/LC103 (DCP-J152W) and LC20E (MFC-J985DW) look similar but won't fit. Always match the number on your current cartridge.
Are compatible LC203 cartridges safe for the MFC-J480DW?
We found no reports of the MFC-J480DW blocking non-Brother LC203 cartridges, and using them doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. Our LC203 cartridges are remanufactured. If the printer shows “Cannot Detect” with a new cartridge, reseat it and check that the orange cap is removed. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink, Does compatible ink void your printer warranty? and The best compatible ink for Brother printers.
How do I replace the ink in the MFC-J480DW?
Open the ink cartridge cover on the front of the printer. Push the lock-release lever for the empty color and pull the cartridge out. Unpack the new cartridge, remove the orange protective cap, and push it in until it locks. Close the cover; the printer resets that color's ink counter automatically.
Why does the MFC-J480DW say “Cannot Detect” or “Cannot Print”?
Remove and reseat the cartridge until it locks, make sure the orange protective cap is off, and wipe the cartridge's contacts with a dry lint-free cloth. Turn the printer off for a minute. More fixes: Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.
Why are prints from my MFC-J480DW faded or streaky?
From the control panel, run Ink (or Maintenance) > Improve Print Quality > Check Print Quality, then clean the colors that show gaps. If lines look jagged or doubled instead, run the alignment from the same menu; see our print head alignment guide. More: Why is my printer printing streaks?.
Can I use LC203 in place of LC201?
Yes. LC203 is the high-yield version of LC201 and fits the same slots. Most people should buy LC203 for the lower cost per page.
MFC-J480DW key facts
- Type: wireless all-in-one (print, scan, copy, fax)
- Ink: 4 individual Brother LC201/LC203 cartridges
- Same ink as: MFC-J460DW, J485DW, J680DW, J880DW, J885DW, J4320DW, J4420DW, J4620DW, J5520DW, J5620DW, J5720DW
What MFC-J480DW 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 did the first cartridges run out so fast?
Brother says the cartridges in the box yield about 80% of a replacement LC201 standard cartridge, so the first set runs out sooner than the ones you buy.
Does the document feeder copy two-sided originals?
No. It has a 20-sheet feeder and does fax, but scanning and copying are one side at a time. Automatic two-sided works for printing only.
Can I plug it into my network with a cable?
No. There is no Ethernet port. It connects by Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), Wi-Fi Direct or USB 2.0.
I bought my MFC-J480DW in Europe. Does LC203 fit?
No. The European version of the same model takes LC221 and LC223 cartridges. Match the number on the cartridge you are replacing.
MFC-J480DW quirks worth knowing
- It is a light-duty machine. Brother rates it for up to 2,500 pages a month, with 50 to 1,000 recommended.
- Brother's spec sheet rates it at 12 pages per minute in black and 6 in color, from a single 100-sheet tray.
- Brother makes no "LC203XL". LC203 is already the high-yield cartridge, so listings that add "XL" are using a reseller's name for the same thing.
Other printers that use LC201 and LC203
Brother MFC-J680DW · Brother MFC-J880DW · Brother MFC-J4420DW · Brother MFC-J4620DW · Brother MFC-J5720DW
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 10, 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.