What Ink Does the HP ENVY Photo 6255 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP ENVY Photo 6255 uses HP 64 (standard) or HP 64XL (high-yield) black and tri-color ink cartridges — not HP 67, which is the most common mix-up on this model. Castle Ink stocks remanufactured HP 64XL with free U.S. shipping and a one-year guarantee.
Listed by HP as the ENVY Photo 6255 and sometimes as the "ENVY 6255 All-in-One Photo Printer", this is a photo-oriented home all-in-one. Despite the 6xxx model number it is not part of the ENVY 6000 or 6400 series.
HP ENVY Photo 6255 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. Yield |
|---|---|---|
| HP 64 (N9J90AN) | Black | ~200 pages |
| HP 64 (N9J89AN) | Tri-Color | ~165 pages |
| HP 64XL (N9J92AN) | Black | up to 600 pages |
| HP 64XL (N9J91AN) | Tri-Color | up to 415 pages |
It Is HP 64, Not HP 67
This trips people up constantly, because most HP ENVY models in the 6000 and 6400 series do use HP 67. This one does not. There is also no HP 64XXL — HP's 64 line stops at XL, so anything sold as "64XXL" is a third-party product.
The jump from standard to XL is unusually good value here: 600 pages against 200 for black, for well under three times the price. There is almost no case for buying standard HP 64 except as an emergency stopgap.
One thing to know about tri-color cartridges: cyan, magenta and yellow share a single housing. When any one color runs out the whole cartridge is finished, even with ink left in the other two. It is the main reason cost per page on this class of printer looks worse than the sticker price suggests.
Is the ENVY Photo 6255 Discontinued?
Yes. HP has discontinued it and names the ENVY 6455e as the successor. Be aware that the 6455e uses HP 67, so any HP 64XL cartridges you have will not carry over — and the 6455e is an HP+ model, which brings its own ink lock.
Save on Ink at Castle Ink
Castle Ink carries HP 64XL for the ENVY Photo 6255:
- Remanufactured HP 64XL (N9J92AN) Black — $22.99
- Remanufactured HP 64XL (N9J91AN) Tri-Color — $23.99
- Remanufactured HP 64XL (N9J92AN) Black MICR — $50.99
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 HP ENVY Photo 6255 use?
HP 64 or HP 64XL, in black and tri-color. It does not use HP 67.
Is there an HP 64XXL?
No. HP's 64 line has standard and XL only. Listings advertising 64XXL are third-party cartridges using a name HP does not use.
Is HP 64 or 64XL better value?
64XL, by a wide margin — 600 pages black against 200, and 415 tri-color against 165.
Can I use compatible HP 64XL cartridges?
Yes. This is not an HP+ printer, so compatible and remanufactured HP 64XL cartridges work normally.
Why does the color cartridge die when only one color is empty?
The three colors share one housing, so the cartridge is finished when any single color runs out. On a photo printer that usually means magenta.
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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