What Toner Does the HP LaserJet 1012 Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all HP 12A Toner Cartridges – Q2612A & Jumbo → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
Quick answer: The HP LaserJet 1012 uses HP 12A toner: the HP 12A (Q2612A) black toner cartridge, rated at about 2,000 pages. The drum is built into the cartridge, so it is the only supply you buy.
HP never sold a high-yield 12X in the US; the “Q2612X” cartridges you see online are third-party jumbo versions. The 1012 is a 2003 USB-only desktop laser from the LaserJet 1010 family. It is simple and durable, and the 12A has no chip, so compatible toner works without warnings. Castle Ink sells a compatible 12A and a 4,000-page jumbo 12A.
CastleScore · November 2026
76/100 — Recommended
HP LaserJet 1012 (Scored on HP LaserJet 1012 ratings)
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 90 | 4.6★ average across 42 ratings on eBay's product page (dated sample) |
| Expert reviews (20%) | 85 | 8.5/10 from PC Open (January 2004) |
| Cost per page (18%) | 90 | About 2¢ per page with our compatible HP 12A, or 1.5¢ with our 4,000-page jumbo 12A. |
| Reliability (18%) | 55 | Most-reported problems: no HP driver for Windows 10/11 or current macOS; paper pickup failures and jams (worn pickup roller); blank or smudged pages |
| Features (11%) | 35 | Print only, 14–15 ppm, USB only, 150-sheet tray plus 10-sheet priority slot. No network, no Wi-Fi, no duplex. |
| Value (5%) | 72 | Cheap to run and long-lived, but limited by driver support on modern computers |
Retired. HP launched the LaserJet 1012 in 2003 and no longer supports it; it sells used only. HP 12A toner is still widely 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 2, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 12A
HP 12A JumboOur own compatible toner, from our product listings.
What Toner Does the HP LaserJet 1012 Take?
| Cartridge | HP part no. | Approx. yield | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 12A Black | Q2612A | ~2,000 pages | Castle Ink HP 12A, $39.95 |
| HP 12A Black, jumbo (third-party size) | Replaces Q2612A | ~4,000 pages | Castle Ink HP 12A Jumbo, $59.95 |
| HP 12A Black 2-pack | Q2612D | 2 × ~2,000 pages | Amazon |
HP's store lists the LaserJet 1012 (Q2461A) as compatible with the 12A, rated at about 2,000 pages under ISO/IEC 19752. HP's LaserJet 1010/1012/1015 user guide gives the same 2,000-page figure, and Staples and Quill both list the 1012 on their 12A pages. Amazon links are tagged (as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases).
What Does LaserJet 1012 Toner Cost per Page?
On November 2, 2026, Staples listed HP's 12A at $124.99, about 6.2¢ a page, and the Q2612D 2-pack at $223.99. Our compatible 12A is $39.95, about 2¢ a page, and our jumbo 12A is $59.95 for about 4,000 pages, or 1.5¢ a page. For a printer this age, the jumbo is the better buy: one cartridge does the work of two.
Will Compatible Toner Work in the LaserJet 1012?
Yes. The 12A cartridge has no chip, and the 1012 does not count pages or check cartridges, so there is no firmware to block a compatible. The flip side is that the printer will not warn you when toner is low. When print starts to fade or show light vertical bands, take the cartridge out, rock it side to side a few times and put it back; that usually buys you a few dozen more pages while the new one ships.
How Do I Replace the Toner in the LaserJet 1012?
- Open the print cartridge door on the front of the printer and pull out the old cartridge. Lay it on a sheet of paper, out of bright light.
- Unpack the new cartridge and gently rock it back and forth to spread the toner.
- Bend the tab on the end of the cartridge until it breaks loose, then pull until all the sealing tape is out.
- Slide the cartridge into the printer until it seats firmly.
- Close the door. If toner gets on your clothes, brush it off and wash in cold water; hot water sets it.
Which Other Printers Use HP 12A?
The 12A is one of HP's most widely used cartridges. HP lists it for the LaserJet 1012, 1018, 1020, 1022, 1022n and 1022nw, the 3015, 3020, 3030, 3050, 3052 and 3055 all-in-ones, and the M1319f. Staples adds the 1010 and 1015, the 1012's siblings.
What LaserJet 1012 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer in HP's support community, repair forums and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Is there a Windows 10 or Windows 11 driver?
Not from HP specifically for the 1012. HP's community and university IT help desks point owners to the HP Universal Print Driver (PCL5) or the LaserJet 3055 PCL5 driver through Windows Update. On Windows 11, owners also add the printer manually as a local printer on the USB001 or DOT4_001 port.
Will it work with a current Mac?
There is no HP or Apple driver for it. An HP support agent recommended the free, open-source Gutenprint driver, and the owner confirmed it worked on macOS Big Sur.
One page feeds partway and the next one jams. What is wrong?
Most often the pickup roller is worn or glazed. Clean it with a damp, lint-free cloth; if that does not help, the roller is a cheap part to replace.
Can I share it on my network?
Not on its own; it is USB only. You can share it from the computer it is plugged into, or connect it through an external print server.
LaserJet 1012 quirks worth knowing
- It prints 14 pages a minute on letter paper (15 on A4), and the first page comes out in under 8 seconds.
- Paper loads into a 150-sheet tray plus a 10-sheet priority slot for envelopes and single sheets.
- There is no toner gauge; faded print is your low-toner warning.
- The cartridge that shipped with the printer was a full 2,000-page cartridge, according to HP's technical reference for the 1010 series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toner does the HP LaserJet 1012 use?
HP 12A, part number Q2612A, rated at about 2,000 pages. It is a one-piece toner and drum cartridge.
Is there an HP 12X high-yield cartridge for the LaserJet 1012?
HP does not sell one in the US; HP lists only the Q2612A. Higher-capacity “Q2612X” or jumbo cartridges are made by third-party suppliers, including our 4,000-page jumbo 12A.
Does the LaserJet 1012 use the same toner as the 1020?
Yes. The LaserJet 1010, 1012, 1015, 1018, 1020 and 1022 all take the HP 12A.
Other printers that use HP 12A
HP LaserJet 1020 · HP LaserJet 1018 · HP LaserJet 1022 · HP LaserJet 3015
More HP ink guides: HP LaserJet Pro M402n · HP LaserJet P1102w · HP LaserJet Pro M201dw · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Brother HL-L2460DW — CastleScore 90
- Brother MFC-L2820DW — CastleScore 90
- HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw — CastleScore 82
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on November 2, 2026 and will change over time.
- HP: HP 12A toner, yield and compatible printers
- HP LaserJet 1010/1012/1015 user guide: supplies
- HP LaserJet 1010/1012/1015 user guide: replacing the print cartridge
- Staples: HP 12A price and compatible printers
- Staples: HP 12A 2-pack (Q2612D)
- iFixit: HP LaserJet 1012 (cartridge has no chip)
- eBay: HP LaserJet 1012 product ratings
- PC Open: HP LaserJet 1012 review (8.5/10)
- UCLA IT knowledge base: LaserJet 1012 and Windows 10
- HP Support Community: LaserJet 1012 on macOS Big Sur
Need replacement HP 12A Toner Cartridges – Q2612A & Jumbo? Shop HP 12A Toner Cartridges – Q2612A & Jumbo at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.