Printing Cost Calculator
Written by Thierno Sadou Diallo, formula verified per our methodology • Last checked on 9/9/2026
Printing cost is calculated with (cartridge price ÷ pages per cartridge) × number of pages printed. A €25 cartridge rated for 300 pages costs about €0.083 per page, or €12.50 for 150 pages.
Explanation
The real cost of printing is rarely obvious when buying a printer: the device's sticker price often hides a much more significant cost of use over time, that of replacement cartridges or toner. The yield stated by the manufacturer (the number of pages a cartridge can theoretically print) is measured according to a standardized norm (ISO/IEC), for a reference ink coverage of around 5% of the page — a simple text letter, for example, generally uses less ink than this reference rate, while a document with images or dark areas uses more, which reduces the number of pages actually obtained compared to the stated yield. Consumer inkjet printers often display a very low purchase price, offset by a high cost per page once cartridges are factored in, while laser printers, more expensive to buy, generally end up cheaper per page for regular use — calculating the total cost over the expected usage period lets you compare these two options more honestly than the purchase price alone, much like our electricity consumption calculator reveals the real running cost hidden behind an appliance's sticker price. Printing itself also draws power for every page produced, a modest but real addition on top of the consumable cost, and one worth checking against a device's power rating alongside the savings a switch to LED bulbs can bring elsewhere in the same office.
Example: a €25 cartridge for 300 pages, printing 150 pages
Inputs
Cartridge price: €25. Yield: 300 pages. Pages to print: 150.
Calculation
Cost per page = 25 ÷ 300 ≈ €0.0833. Total cost = 0.0833 × 150 = €12.50.
Result
Printing these 150 pages costs about €12.50 in consumables.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the number of pages actually obtained often lower than the stated yield?
Because the yield stated by the manufacturer is measured for a standardized reference ink coverage (about 5% of the page), representative of typical office use. Documents richer in ink (images, colored tables, dark areas) use more per page and therefore reduce the number of pages actually obtained before the cartridge needs replacing.
Is a laser printer always more economical than an inkjet printer?
Not necessarily to buy, where laser printers are generally more expensive, but often yes over time for regular use: their cost per page tends to be lower than inkjet cartridges, especially for large print volumes. For very occasional use, an inkjet printer's lower purchase price can still work out better overall despite a higher cost per page.
Does this calculation include the cost of paper?
No, this calculator only accounts for the cost of the cartridge or toner. The price of paper, generally modest per page but not negligible for large volumes, adds separately to the actual total cost of a print job.