What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MX722 Use?

Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said the CLI-251 dye black is rated in photos and left out the PGI-255XXL black. The CLI-251 black is rated in pages (about 1,105, or 4,425 for the XL), and Canon also lists the extra-high-capacity PGI-255XXL pigment black for the MX722.

The cartridges, pictured

• PGI-250XL / CLI-251XL 5-packPGBK + BK/C/M/Y
• PGI-250XL Black6432B001 · ~500 pages
• CLI-251XL Cyan6449B001
• CLI-251XL Magenta6450B001

Our own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.

Quick answer: what ink does the Canon PIXMA MX722 use?

The Canon PIXMA MX722 uses five individual ink tanks: PGI-250 pigment black plus CLI-251 black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. High-yield PGI-250XL and CLI-251XL tanks fit the same slots, and Canon also lists an extra-high-capacity PGI-255XXL pigment black for the MX722. You replace only the color that runs out.

Cartridge options at a glance

*Approximate Canon-rated yields based on ISO/IEC test pages. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.

Common questions about Canon PIXMA MX722 ink

Standard or XL: which should I buy?

XL. PGI-250XL is rated for about 500 text pages versus 300 for standard, and the CLI-251XL colors roughly double the standard yield, so the cost per page drops sharply. Because the tanks are separate, you can also buy XL only for the colors you use most. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers.

What other printers use PGI-250/CLI-251 ink?

The five-ink models are the PIXMA MG5420, MG5520, MG5620, MG6420, MG6620, iP7220, iX6820, MX922, and MG5422. The six-ink models that add a gray tank are the PIXMA MG6320, MG7120, MG7520, and iP8720. Every size of the shared colors fits all of them, so one stock of cartridges covers several printers.

Will other Canon cartridges fit the MX722?

No. PGI-270/CLI-271 (used by the PIXMA MG5720, MG6820, and TS5020) and PGI-225/CLI-226 (used by the MG5320 and MG6120) look almost identical but have different chips and notches. Always match the number printed on your current cartridge.

Why are there two black cartridges?

They do different jobs. The larger pigment black (PGI) prints sharp, smudge-resistant text on plain paper. The dye black (CLI) is used for photos and glossy paper, where pigment ink would sit on the surface. Both must be installed, and on plain-paper documents the pigment black does most of the work.

Can I use remanufactured tanks in the MX722?

Yes. We know of no Canon lockout on the MX722, and using non-Canon tanks doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. The printer may show a message about a non-genuine or refilled tank and stop tracking that tank's ink level, but it keeps printing. The PGI-250XL and CLI-251XL tanks we sell are remanufactured. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.

How do I replace the ink in the MX722?

Turn the printer on and lift the scanner unit; the print head holder moves to the replacement position. Press the tab on the empty tank and lift it out. Remove the new tank from its bag, pull off the orange protective cap, insert it front end first, and press the top until it clicks. Match the color labels on the holder. The tank's lamp lights red when it's seated correctly. Walkthrough: How to replace the ink in a Canon PIXMA printer.

Why won't the MX722 recognize a new tank?

Make sure the orange cap and any film are removed, press down on the tank until its lamp lights, and check that it's in the slot with the matching color label. If the lamp stays off, remove the tank, wipe the contacts with a dry lint-free cloth, reinstall it, and power-cycle the printer. More fixes: Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.

Why are MX722 prints faded, streaky, or missing a color?

The print head is built into the printer, so a clogged nozzle won't be fixed by a new tank alone. Print a nozzle check, run a cleaning, and if gaps remain, a deep cleaning; let the printer rest a few hours if it still streaks. If lines look jagged or doubled rather than faded, align the print head. Guides: How to clean Canon printer heads, Faded or streaky prints: causes and fixes, and our print head alignment guide.

Can I keep printing when one tank is empty?

Canon printers stop when a tank runs out. On many models you can override the warning by holding Stop for about 5 seconds, but Canon cautions that printing with an empty tank can damage the built-in print head, so replace it as soon as you can. Keeping a spare pigment black on hand avoids most downtime.

Does the MX722 have fax and a document feeder?

Yes. The MX722 prints, scans, copies, and faxes. Its 35-sheet automatic document feeder takes originals up to legal size and scans both sides automatically.

Is the MX722 the same as the MX922?

They share the same five PGI-250/CLI-251 tanks. See the MX922 ink guide.

MX722 key facts

• Type: wireless office all-in-one (print, scan, copy, fax)
• Ink: 5 individual tanks, PGI-250 + CLI-251 BK/C/M/Y (XL fits)
• Document feeder: 35 sheets, two-sided scanning
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB 2.0
• Same ink as: MX922

What PIXMA MX722 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.

Is there a bigger black cartridge than the PGI-250XL?

Yes. Canon lists the PGI-255 XXL pigment black (8050B001) for the MX722. It fits the same slot as the PGI-250 and holds more ink.

Can I connect it with a network cable?

Yes. It has Ethernet as well as Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) and USB 2.0.

How much paper does it hold?

The lower cassette holds 250 sheets of plain paper, and a separate upper cassette holds 20 sheets of 4x6 photo paper.

It shows a 5100 error and grinds at power-on, but there's no paper stuck.

5100 is a carriage error. It can be debris, a dirty encoder strip or a mechanical fault. If a power reset and cleaning don't clear it, repair often costs more than the printer is worth.

Does it print on both sides automatically?

Yes. Automatic two-sided printing is built in.

PIXMA MX722 quirks worth knowing

• The CLI-251 dye black is rated far higher than the pigment black: about 1,105 pages standard and 4,425 XL, against 300 and 500 for the PGI-250. On documents, the pigment black is the tank you'll replace most.
• The fax memory holds about 250 pages and 100 speed-dial numbers.
• At 25.7 lb it is much heavier than the MG-series printers that share its ink.
• Canon's support page lists no firmware, and its operating-system list stops at Windows 8 and Mac OS X 10.9.

Other printers that use PGI-250 and CLI-251

Canon PIXMA iX6820 · Canon PIXMA MX922 · Canon PIXMA iP8720 · Canon PIXMA MG6320 · Canon PIXMA MG6620 · Canon PIXMA MG7520 · Canon PIXMA MG6420 · Canon PIXMA iP7220

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

Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives

• Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
• Canon PIXMA MegaTank G3290 — CastleScore 88
• Canon imageCLASS MF275dw (laser) — CastleScore 81

Sources

Ratings and prices were checked on October 11, 2026 and will change over time.

• Canon PIXMA MX722 support page (specs, compatible ink)
• Adorama: Canon PGI-255XXL pigment black
• OnTime Supplies: Canon PGI-255XXL
• TonerBuzz: PGI-250/CLI-251 page yields
• JustAnswer: MX722 5100 error with grinding