What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MG2520 Use?

by Last Updated:

Correction: an earlier version of this article listed PG-240/CL-241 cartridges. The PIXMA MG2520 uses the PG-243/245 and CL-244/246 family. PG-240/CL-241 will not fit.

CastleScore · October 2026

74/100 — Recommended

Canon PIXMA MG2520

Pillar (weight)ScoreWhat it is based on
Owner ratings (28%) 78 4.00★ average across 1,189 ratings at Amazon (4.0)
Expert reviews (18%) — No published numeric expert score we could verify.
Cost per page (24%) 73 About 7.7¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured PG-245XL and CL-246XL (about 300 pages each).
Reliability (13%) 87 Most-reported problems: printer won't print after installing a new PG-245 black cartridge
Features (12%) 50 Print, copy, scan. No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax, no touchscreen.
Value (5%) 76 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.

Older model. Canon still keeps a U.S. support page with drivers for the MG2520. We could not confirm whether it is still sold new; its MG2525 sibling is listed as discontinued.

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

Our own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.

Quick answer: what ink does the Canon PIXMA MG2520 use?

The Canon PIXMA MG2520 uses two FINE cartridges: one black and one tri-color (cyan, magenta, yellow in a single cartridge). Canon's U.S. support page lists PG-245 black / CL-246 color and the high-yield PG-245XL / CL-246XL. Retailers also list Canon's lower-capacity PG-243 / CL-244 for it. All of them fit the same slots, and the XL pair is the lowest-cost-per-page choice for most people.

Cartridge options at a glance

Cartridge Color Approx. page yield* Best for
Canon PG-243 Black Lower capacity than PG-245 Occasional printing
Canon CL-244 Tri-color Lower capacity than CL-246 Occasional color
Canon PG-245 Black ~180 pages Light, regular text printing
Canon CL-246 Tri-color ~180 pages Light color printing
PG-245XL black Black (high yield) ~300 pages Homework, forms, frequent text
CL-246XL tri-color Tri-color (high yield) ~300 pages Photos and color documents

*Canon-rated yields based on ISO/IEC 24711 test pages. Real-world yield depends on coverage, photo printing, and how often the printer runs cleaning cycles.

Common questions about Canon PIXMA MG2520 ink

Which cartridge should I buy for the PIXMA MG2520: standard or XL?

Buy the XL pair unless you print only a few pages a month. The PG-245XL black and CL-246XL tri-color are rated for about 300 pages each, against about 180 for the standard PG-245 and CL-246, so the cost per page drops. The only reason to buy standard cartridges is if the printer sits idle for months, since ink can dry out before you use it. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers for the math.

What's the difference between PG-243 and PG-245?

They are the same size and shape and use the same slot. PG-243 is Canon's lower-capacity value cartridge. PG-245 is the standard size (about 180 pages) and PG-245XL the high-yield size (about 300 pages). Canon's U.S. support page lists only the PG-245 and CL-246 sizes for this printer. The same relationship applies to CL-244, CL-246, and CL-246XL. You can switch between them at any time. For the most predictable ink-level readings, replace black with black and color with color from the same series when you can.

Can I mix an XL black with a standard color cartridge?

Yes. The black and color cartridges are read independently, so a PG-245XL black with a CL-244 or CL-246 color works fine. Many people buy XL black only, because text uses black much faster than color.

What other printers use the same cartridges as the PIXMA MG2520?

The PG-243/245 and CL-244/246 family is one of Canon's most widely used. It also fits the PIXMA TS202, PIXMA TS302, PIXMA TS3120, PIXMA TS3122, PIXMA TS3320, PIXMA TS3322, PIXMA MG2420, PIXMA MG2522, PIXMA MG2525, PIXMA MG2920, PIXMA MG3022, PIXMA MG3029, PIXMA MX490, PIXMA MX492, PIXMA TR4520, PIXMA TR4522, PIXMA TR4527, PIXMA iP2820, plus the PIXMA MG2922, MG2924, and MG3020. If you own two of these printers, one stock of cartridges covers both.

Are compatible or remanufactured cartridges safe for the PIXMA MG2520?

Yes. Canon lists no firmware updates for this model, and we found no reports of it locking out non-Canon cartridges. Remanufactured or refilled cartridges usually bring up an ink-level warning instead (see code 1686 below). We sell remanufactured PG-245XL and CL-246XL cartridges for it. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act Canon can't void your warranty just because you used third-party ink. For the differences between cartridge types, read Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.

How do I replace the ink in the PIXMA MG2520?

Turn the printer on and lift the scanner unit; the cartridge holder moves to the center. Push down on the empty cartridge and lift it out. Remove the new cartridge from its bag, peel off the orange protective tape (never touch the gold contacts or the nozzles), insert it at a slight upward angle, and press until it clicks. Black goes in the right-hand slot and color in the left on most models. Close the cover and run a nozzle check. Full walkthrough: How to replace the ink in a Canon PIXMA printer.

Why does my PIXMA MG2520 say the cartridge isn't recognized?

Usually it's the protective tape left on, dirty contacts, or a cartridge that isn't fully seated. Remove the cartridge, wipe the gold contact strip with a dry lint-free cloth, reseat it until it clicks, and power-cycle the printer. If the error remains, try the cartridge in a sibling printer or swap in another cartridge to isolate the problem. More fixes: Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.

What does support code 1686 mean, and can I keep printing?

Code 1686 means the printer can no longer estimate the remaining ink, which happens after a cartridge runs very low or when a refilled/remanufactured cartridge is installed. You can keep printing by pressing and holding the Stop button for at least 5 seconds; this turns off ink-level detection for that cartridge only, so watch print quality and replace it when output fades. Code 1688 means the ink has run out and the cartridge should be replaced. See Printer error codes explained.

Why are my PIXMA MG2520 prints faded, streaky, or missing a color?

FINE cartridges have the print head built in, so a new cartridge often fixes nozzle problems. Before replacing, run a nozzle check and one or two standard cleanings (Maintenance menu or the Canon IJ Printer Utility), then a deep cleaning if needed. If one color is missing on the tri-color cartridge, that color is empty; the whole cartridge must be replaced. Step-by-step: How to clean Canon printer heads and Faded or streaky prints: causes and fixes.

Can I print with only one cartridge installed?

No. The printer needs both cartridges installed, even if you only print in black. If one is empty (but installed), you can usually keep printing with the other by pressing Stop through the warning, and Canon's driver lets you choose black-only or color-only in some cases. Replace the empty cartridge as soon as possible to avoid drying the nozzles.

Can I refill PG-245 or CL-246 cartridges?

Yes, they can be refilled, but because the print head is part of the cartridge, each refill wears the nozzles and you'll need the Stop-button workaround above. For most people a remanufactured XL cartridge is the less messy option. If you do refill, read How to refill ink cartridges at home first.

Will PG-240 or CL-241 cartridges fit the MG2520?

No. PG-240/CL-241 are a different, larger cartridge family used by printers such as the MG3620 and MX472. The MG2520 only accepts PG-243/245 black and CL-244/246 color (including XL).

Does the MG2520 have Wi-Fi?

No. It connects by USB only. The PIXMA MG3029 is a wireless alternative that uses the same ink.

PIXMA MG2520 key facts

  • Type: USB all-in-one (print, scan, copy)
  • Ink system: 2 FINE cartridges (black + tri-color)
  • Cartridges: PG-243/CL-244, PG-245/CL-246, PG-245XL/CL-246XL (not PG-240/CL-241)
  • Connectivity: USB only
  • Variants: MG2522, MG2525

What PIXMA MG2520 owners ask

These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, Canon's support community and owner reviews, answered in our words.

My laptop has no CD drive and Canon's setup site doesn't list my printer. Which driver do I use?

Download the MG2520 software from Canon's U.S. support site. Replies on Canon's forum confirm the MG2520 drivers cover the other MG2500-series models.

Will MG2522 drivers or cartridges work on my MG2520?

Yes. Replies on Canon's forum say the MG2520 software covers the MG2522, and the two take the same cartridges.

Can it scan documents?

Yes, on the flatbed glass, up to 8.5 × 11.7 in at 600 × 1200 dpi. There is no document feeder, so it scans one page at a time.

Can it print on both sides automatically?

No. Retailer listings show no automatic two-sided printing, so you turn the pages over by hand.

I use a Mac. Is the old Canon software still safe?

Canon issued security advisory CPA2026-004 on May 28, 2026 covering My Image Garden and the CUPS printer driver for macOS. Check the MG2520 support page for the current versions before installing.

PIXMA MG2520 quirks worth knowing

  • Black text prints at up to 600 × 600 dpi; only color reaches 4800 × 600 dpi.
  • Paper capacity is 60 sheets of plain paper, or 20 sheets of 4×6 photo paper, and it takes paper up to legal size.
  • Canon lists no firmware updates for it, so there is no update that could start refusing cartridges later.
  • Canon rates it at about 8 pages a minute in black and 4 in color, so it suits light home use.

Other printers that use PG-245 and CL-246

Canon PIXMA MX490 · Canon PIXMA MG2922 · Canon PIXMA TS3120 · Canon PIXMA TR4522 · Canon PIXMA TR4527 · Canon PIXMA iP2820 · Canon PIXMA MG3029 · Canon PIXMA MG2525

More Canon ink guides: Canon PIXMA TS3722 · Canon PIXMA TR4720 · Canon PIXMA MG3600 · find any printer

Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives

Sources

Ratings and prices were checked on October 10, 2026 and will change over time.

Need replacement Canon ink cartridges? Shop Canon ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.

Written and reviewed by — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry.

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