What Toner Does the HP LaserJet 1018 Use?

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Quick answer: The HP LaserJet 1018 uses the HP 12A (Q2612A) black toner cartridge, rated at about 2,000 pages. There is no high-yield version and no separate drum — the drum is built into the cartridge. We sell a compatible HP 12A and a higher-capacity compatible 12A Jumbo. U.S. orders over $50 ship free, and orders placed by 4 PM ET ship the same day.

The LaserJet 1018 is the entry model alongside the 1020, and takes exactly the same cartridge.

CastleScore · October 2026

70/100 — Recommended

HP LaserJet 1018

Pillar (weight)ScoreWhat it is based on
Owner ratings (28%) — No retailer rating with enough reviews to use.
Expert reviews (20%) 50 PCMag 2.5/5
Cost per page (18%) 92 About 2¢ per page all-in with our compatible 12A toner (2,000 pages; drum built in).
Reliability (18%) 90 No recurring hardware or connection complaints in owner reviews.
Features (11%) 40 Print only, over USB. No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax, no touchscreen.
Value (5%) — Running cost and owner satisfaction

Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.

Discontinued. HP no longer sells the LaserJet 1018 and names no direct successor. HP 12A toner is still widely made.

CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 9, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.

The toner, pictured

Our own compatible toner, photographed in-house.

HP LaserJet 1018 Toner at a Glance

Supply Color Approx. Yield
HP 12A (Q2612A) Black ~2,000 pages
Drum unit — Built into the cartridge

There Is No 12X

HP never made a high-yield version of the 12A. Anything advertised as "12X" or "HP 12A high yield" is a third-party overfilled cartridge, not an HP product. That is not automatically bad, but it is not an HP specification, and the page claims attached to those listings are the seller's, not HP's. Our own 12A Jumbo is one of these: a compatible cartridge we rate at about 4,000 pages, not an HP part.

The Integrated Drum Is a Real Advantage

Because the imaging drum is part of the Q2612A, there is no separate drum to buy, no drum counter to reset and no "Replace Drum" message to worry about. Compared with the Brother mono lasers of the same era, which need a new drum roughly every four to ten toners, that makes total running cost unusually simple to predict on this machine.

1018 vs 1020

These two take the identical Q2612A cartridge, so retailer pages that separate them are splitting hairs. The real difference is the driver: the 1018 is a host-based (GDI) printer with no PCL or PostScript, which is why it can be awkward on newer operating systems and on print servers. That, not toner, is the usual reason owners retire one.

Is the LaserJet 1018 Discontinued?

Yes, HP discontinued it long ago and names no successor. Q2612A toner is still widely produced, which is the main reason these printers are still in service.

What LaserJet 1018 owners ask

These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, HP's support forum and owner reviews, answered in our words.

How do I get the LaserJet 1018 working on Windows 10?

HP offers no full-feature Windows 10 software for it. HP's forum reps suggest removing the old drivers, running Windows Update, then plugging the printer in by USB so Windows installs its own built-in driver.

Can I use the LaserJet 1020 driver instead?

Owners on HP's forum report that adding the printer by hand with the LaserJet 1020 driver, or HP's combined 1018/1020/1022 package, gets it printing.

Why did my first cartridge run out so soon?

The cartridge in the box is rated for about 1,000 pages, half of a retail HP 12A's 2,000. The first replacement comes early, and that is normal.

Can I put the 1018 on my network or Wi-Fi?

No. It has only a USB 2.0 port. To share it, it has to hang off a computer that shares it for everyone else.

What paper sizes does it take?

Up to legal (8.5 × 14 in), from both the 150-sheet main tray and the single-sheet input slot.

LaserJet 1018 quirks worth knowing

  • It is a host-based (GDI) printer with only 2 MB of memory. Your computer does the page rendering, which is why a working driver decides whether it prints at all.
  • It is slow by today's standards: rated at up to 12 pages a minute, with the first page out in under 10 seconds.
  • HP rates it for a 3,000-page monthly duty cycle, so it was built for light home and desk use.
  • There is no automatic two-sided printing. Double-sided jobs mean turning the stack over by hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What toner does the HP LaserJet 1018 use?
HP 12A (Q2612A) black toner, rated at about 2,000 pages.

Is there a high-yield 12A?
No. HP made only the standard Q2612A. "12X" listings are third-party overfills.

Does this printer need a separate drum?
No. The drum is built into the Q2612A cartridge.

Can I use compatible HP 12A toner?
Yes. This is an old, unchipped platform and compatible cartridges work without firmware issues.

Is it worth keeping an old LaserJet like this running?
Often yes, if your computer still talks to it. At roughly 2,000 pages per cartridge and no drum to replace, running costs are low. The usual reason to retire one is the driver, not the toner.

Other printers that use HP 12A toner

HP LaserJet 1020 · HP LaserJet 1022 · HP LaserJet 3015

More HP ink guides: HP LaserJet Pro M402n · HP LaserJet Pro MFP M426fdw · HP LaserJet Pro M201dw · find any printer

Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives

Sources

Ratings and prices were checked on October 9, 2026 and will change over time.

Need replacement HP toner cartridges? Shop HP toner cartridges at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.

Written and reviewed by — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry.

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