What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MG6821 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Canon PIXMA MG6821 uses a five-tank system: PGI-270 pigment black plus CLI-271 black, cyan, magenta and yellow — or the high-yield PGI-270XL and CLI-271XL. Castle Ink stocks the XL versions with free U.S. shipping and a one-year guarantee.
The MG6821 is a photo-capable home all-in-one from Canon's MG6800 series.
Canon PIXMA MG6821 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. Yield |
|---|---|---|
| PGI-270 (0373C001) | Pigment Black | ~300 pages |
| PGI-270XL (0319C001) | Pigment Black | ~500 pages |
| CLI-271 (0390C001 / 0391C001 / 0392C001 / 0393C001) | Black / Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | 6.5 ml each |
| CLI-271XL (0336C001 / 0337C001 / 0338C001 / 0339C001) | Black / Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | 10.8 ml each |
Two Blacks, and People Buy the Wrong One
This is the thing to get right. PGI-270 is pigment black, used for crisp text on plain paper. CLI-271BK is dye black, used for the dark tones in photos. They are not interchangeable and the printer needs both. If your text is printing but looks washed out, or your photos are printing but documents are not, you have probably replaced the wrong one.
Note also why the colors are listed in millilitres: Canon publishes ISO page yields only for the pigment black. The four CLI-271 dye tanks are rated by volume, so any page figure you see for them is an estimate.
It Will Not Print If Any Tank Is Empty
Including black-only documents. This catches a lot of owners, who assume an empty yellow should not stop a text page. You can override it in the printer's menu, but the default behaviour is to stop — so keep spares of all five.
Is the PIXMA MG6821 Discontinued?
Yes. Canon lists PGI-270XL as a discontinued store item and the MG6821 is out of production. Canon names no successor. Note the six-tank sibling, the MG7720, adds a CLI-271 Grey tank — the MG6821 does not use grey.
Save on Supplies at Castle Ink
Castle Ink carries PGI-270XL and CLI-271XL for the MG6821:
- Canon PGI-270XL / CLI-271XL 5-Pack Set — $49.95
- Remanufactured Canon PGI-270XL Pigment Black — $6.99
- Remanufactured Canon CLI-271XL Black (dye) — $6.99
- Remanufactured Canon CLI-271XL Cyan — $6.99
- Remanufactured Canon CLI-271XL Magenta — $6.99
- Remanufactured Canon CLI-271XL Yellow — $6.99
All Castle Ink orders ship free in the U.S. and are backed by a one-year quality guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ink does the Canon PIXMA MG6821 use?
Five tanks: PGI-270 pigment black plus CLI-271 black, cyan, magenta and yellow, or the XL versions of each.
What is the difference between PGI-270 and CLI-271BK?
PGI-270 is pigment black for text on plain paper. CLI-271BK is dye black for photos. The printer uses both and they do not substitute for each other.
How many pages does PGI-270XL print?
About 500 pages. Canon does not publish page yields for the CLI-271 dye tanks, only volumes.
Why won't it print in black when only the yellow is empty?
By default the MG6821 stops when any tank is empty. You can override this in the printer's menu.
Does the MG6821 use a grey tank?
No. That is the six-tank MG7720.
See Also
- Find Ink by Printer Model
- Best Printers: Top Picks for Every Use Case and Budget
- PrinterIQ Finder — find your next printer in about 60 seconds
By William Elward, Founder of Castle Ink — 20+ years helping people solve printer and ink problems. Last updated August 23, 2026.
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