What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MG2520 Use?

Last updated: September 27, 2026. Reviewed by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink.

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.

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). In the U.S. it ships with Canon PG-243 black and CL-244 color, and it also accepts PG-245 / CL-246 and the high-yield PG-245XL / CL-246XL. All three sizes fit the same slots, so the XL pair is the lowest-cost-per-page choice for most people.

Cartridge options at a glance

*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 hold roughly 50% more ink than PG-245 (about 12 ml vs. 8 ml for black) and about twice the ink in PG-243, so the cost per page drops sharply. 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 “starter/value” cartridge (about 5.6 ml of ink); PG-245 holds about 8 ml and PG-245XL about 12 ml. 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. Quality compatible and remanufactured PG-245XL/CL-246XL cartridges print at OEM-level quality, and 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 less messy and more reliable. 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

Shop PIXMA MG2520 ink at Castle Ink

• PG-245XL black high-yield compatible cartridge
• CL-246XL tri-color high-yield compatible cartridge
• Browse all Canon ink cartridges

Castle Ink compatibles typically cost 50–70% less than Canon retail and are backed by our compatibility guarantee. Estimate your savings with the Printer ink cost calculator.

Official Canon resources

For drivers, firmware, and the user manual, visit the Canon PIXMA MG2520 support page or the main Canon support portal.

Related guides

• How to replace the ink in a Canon PIXMA printer
• How to clean Canon printer heads
• Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it
• Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers
• How to clear a printer paper jam
• Why is my Canon printer not printing?

Buy the Canon PIXMA MG2520 on Amazon: Canon PIXMA MG2520 on Amazon

About the author: William Elward is the founder of Castle Ink and has written about printers, ink cartridges, and printing technology for more than 20 years.