What Toner Does the HP Color LaserJet CP1215 Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all HP 125A Toner Cartridges – CB540A–CB543A → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
Quick answer: The HP Color LaserJet CP1215 uses HP 125A toner in four colors: black CB540A (about 2,200 pages) and cyan CB541A, yellow CB542A and magenta CB543A (about 1,400 pages each). HP never made a high-yield 125X. Castle Ink sells compatible HP 125A cartridges as a 4-pack or singly.
CastleScore · November 2026
62/100 — Situational
HP Color LaserJet CP1215
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 55 | About 2.3¢ per black page and about 13¢ per color page with our compatible HP 125A toner. |
| Reliability (18%) | 80 | No recurring fault pattern in the sources we found; color registration drift and worn transfer belts show up on very old units. |
| Features (11%) | 42 | Color print only, up to 12 ppm black and 8 ppm color, USB only, 150-sheet input. No network, no duplex. |
| Value (5%) | — | Not scored without owner ratings |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings or published expert scores for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars. With neither owner ratings nor a published expert score, we cap this printer at 69 (Situational) until better data is available.
Discontinued. HP stopped selling the CP1215 years ago. HP 125A toner is still sold.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked November 5, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 125A 4-PackCB540A–CB543A
HP 125A BlackCB540A · ~2,200 pages
HP 125A CyanCB541A · ~1,400 pages
HP 125A MagentaCB543A · ~1,400 pages
HP 125A YellowCB542A · ~1,400 pages
HP 125A 4-Pack
HP 125A Black
HP 125A Cyan
HP 125A Magenta
HP 125A YellowOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
What Toner Does the HP CP1215 Take?
| Cartridge | HP part no. | Approx. yield | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 125A 4-pack (K/C/M/Y) | CB540A–CB543A | See singles | Castle Ink 125A 4-pack, $179.95 |
| HP 125A Black | CB540A | ~2,200 pages | Castle Ink 125A Black, $49.95 |
| HP 125A Cyan | CB541A | ~1,400 pages | Castle Ink 125A Cyan, $49.95 |
| HP 125A Magenta | CB543A | ~1,400 pages | Castle Ink 125A Magenta, $49.95 |
| HP 125A Yellow | CB542A | ~1,400 pages | Castle Ink 125A Yellow, $49.95 |
Yields are HP's ISO figures. Note the part numbers: magenta is CB543A and yellow is CB542A, which trips people up when ordering by number.
What Does CP1215 Toner Cost per Page?
With our 125A singles at $49.95, black costs about 2.3¢ a page and each color about 3.6¢, so a full-color page runs roughly 13¢. That is the price of a small color laser with low-capacity cartridges. If you print mostly black, buy black singles and replace colors only as they run out. Toner cartridges at Castle Ink are newly manufactured compatibles. Orders placed by 4 PM ET ship the same day, and U.S. orders over $50 ship free.
Will Compatible Toner Work in the CP1215?
Yes. The CP1215 predates HP's dynamic security, and compatible 125A cartridges are widely used. The printer may show a "non-HP supply" notice; press the OK or arrow button to continue.
How Do I Replace the Toner in the CP1215?
- Open the front door and wait for the carousel to stop.
- Pull the cartridge of the color you need straight out by its handle.
- Unpack the new cartridge, rock it gently and remove the orange shipping lock and seal tape.
- Slide it into the matching color slot and close the door.
These are the standard steps for this type of printer. If your model's door label shows a different order, follow the label.
Which Other Printers Use HP 125A?
HP 125A fits the Color LaserJet CP1215, CP1515n, CP1518ni and the CM1312 and CM1312nfi MFPs.
What CP1215 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, support forums and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Can I print in black only when a color is empty?
The CP1215 usually keeps printing black with a color empty, but colors on the page will be off. Replace the empty cartridge for color work.
Is there a high-yield 125X?
No. HP only made the 125A for this family.
Can I connect it to a network?
No. It is USB only. Share it from a computer or use a USB print server.
Why are colors misaligned?
Run the printer's calibration from the control panel or HP's toolbox. Persistent drift on old units often points to a worn transfer belt.
CP1215 quirks worth knowing
- It prints up to 12 pages a minute in black and 8 in color.
- There is no automatic duplex and no network port.
- The 150-sheet tray is small, so it suits a home office rather than a shared workspace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toner does the HP Color LaserJet CP1215 use?
HP 125A: black CB540A, cyan CB541A, yellow CB542A and magenta CB543A.
How many pages does HP 125A print?
About 2,200 pages for black and 1,400 pages per color.
Does the CP1515n use the same toner?
Yes. The CP1215, CP1515n, CP1518ni and CM1312 all take HP 125A.
More HP ink guides: HP Color LaserJet CP2025 · HP Color LaserJet 1600 · HP LaserJet Pro M402n · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
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Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on November 5, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP 125A Toner Cartridges – CB540A–CB543A? Shop HP 125A Toner Cartridges – CB540A–CB543A at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.