What Ink Does the HP DeskJet 2542 Use?

Quick answer: The HP DeskJet 2542 uses HP 61 (standard) or HP 61XL (high-yield) black and tri-color ink cartridges. Buy the XL — the standard cartridge holds roughly 170 pages. Castle Ink stocks compatible HP 61XL with free U.S. shipping and a one-year guarantee.

The DeskJet 2542 is a compact home all-in-one from HP's DeskJet 2540 series.

HP DeskJet 2542 Ink Cartridges at a Glance

How tri-color cartridges work: cyan, magenta and yellow share one housing. When any single color runs out the whole cartridge is finished, even with ink left in the other two. If you mostly print text, setting the driver to black-only or greyscale is the cheapest change you can make.

Two Different "HP 61XL" Cartridges Are on Shelves

HP now sells the 61 family under two part numbers, and they are not rated the same. The legacy CH563WN 61XL black is published at 430–480 pages depending which source you read (HP's original figure was 480; Staples and most resellers now say 430). The newer C0PA4AN repack is rated 360 pages.

If you are comparing prices, compare part numbers too — the cheaper "61XL" is sometimes the lower-yield one.

Watch the Model Number

HP's budget lines use nearly identical model numbers with different cartridges. ENVY 4500 series and DeskJet 2540 series use HP 61. ENVY 4520 and DeskJet 2130/3630 use HP 63. DeskJet 2652 and 2755 use HP 65. They are physically similar and electrically incompatible.

A Warning About Second-Hand Cartridges

This printer was sold as Instant Ink eligible. Instant Ink cartridges are locked to the subscription and stop printing when a plan lapses, so a used "HP 61" pulled from an Instant Ink machine may be dead on arrival. Buy retail or compatible cartridges rather than second-hand ones.

Is the DeskJet 2542 Discontinued?

Yes, HP has discontinued it and names no successor. HP 61 cartridges remain widely available.

Save on Supplies at Castle Ink

Castle Ink carries HP 61XL for the DeskJet 2542:

• HP 61XL Black Ink Cartridge (CH563WN) — $23.95
• HP 61XL Tri-Color Ink Cartridge (CH564WN) — $24.95
• Remanufactured HP 61XL (CH563WN) Black MICR — $51.87

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 HP DeskJet 2542 use?
HP 61 or HP 61XL, in black and tri-color.

Is HP 61 or 61XL better value?
61XL, clearly. The standard black holds about 170 pages against roughly 430–480 for the XL.

Why do two HP 61XL cartridges have different page counts?
HP repacked the line. The legacy CH563WN is rated 430–480 pages; the newer C0PA4AN is rated 360. Check the part number, not just the name.

Can I use compatible HP 61XL cartridges?
Yes. This is not an HP+ printer, so compatible cartridges work normally.

My printer ran out of ink almost immediately — is it faulty?
Probably not. These printers shipped with setup cartridges that hold noticeably less than a retail HP 61.

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.