What Ink Does the HP OfficeJet Pro 8740 Use?

Quick answer: The HP OfficeJet Pro 8740 uses HP 952 (standard) or HP 952XL (high-yield) ink in four separate cartridges. Castle Ink stocks a compatible 952XL BCMY 4-pack with free U.S. shipping and a one-year guarantee.

The OfficeJet Pro 8740 is a business-class all-in-one with dual paper trays, single-pass duplex scanning and fax.

HP OfficeJet Pro 8740 Ink Cartridges at a Glance

The Best Cost Per Page in HP's Inkjet Range

HP 952XL black is rated at 2,000 pages. For context, HP 67XL black — the cartridge in HP's budget home printers — is rated at 240. If you print in any volume, this is the difference between an inkjet that makes financial sense and one that does not.

A Note on Published Yields

HP has revised these figures downward and the old numbers are still everywhere. You will see 700 pages quoted for 952 colours and 1,600 for 952XL colours; HP's current figures are 630 and 1,450. That is roughly a 10% cut on the colours. We list HP's current numbers here.

Individual Colors, No Tri-Color Waste

Four separate cartridges means you replace only the colour that runs out — no throwing away usable cyan because the magenta finished first.

Is the OfficeJet Pro 8740 Discontinued?

Yes, HP has discontinued it, and unusually HP does name a successor: the OfficeJet Pro 9015e. One thing to weigh before taking that upgrade — the 9015e is an HP+ model, so enrolling at setup locks it to Original HP ink for the life of the printer. The 8740 has no such restriction.

Save on Ink at Castle Ink

Castle Ink carries HP 952XL for the OfficeJet Pro 8740:

• HP 952XL Ink Cartridges – BCMY High-Yield 4-Pack — $64.95

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 OfficeJet Pro 8740 use?
HP 952 or HP 952XL, in four separate cartridges: black, cyan, magenta and yellow.

How many pages does HP 952XL print?
Up to 2,000 pages black and about 1,450 per colour on HP's current figures.

Is there an HP 952XXL?
Not in the US. HP's 952 line is standard and XL only here.

Can I use compatible HP 952XL cartridges?
Yes. The 8740 is not an HP+ printer, so compatible and remanufactured cartridges work normally.

Should I upgrade to the OfficeJet Pro 9015e?
It is HP's named successor, but it is an HP+ model — enrolling at setup permanently restricts it to Original HP ink. Worth knowing before you switch.

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.