Brother ink cartridges

The LC number matters most

Brother names its cartridges with an LC code, and that code tells you everything: LC-421, LC-422, LC-427 and LC-527 are four different printer generations and they do not interchange. Both the newer LC-427 and LC-527 (15 products together) and the older LC-123, LC-125 and LC-1240 are here.

• Standard or XL. 16 products carry XL in the name: same slot, more ink. The median yield here is 1 200 pages, and XL versions run to 5 000.
• Single or set. 10 products are four-colour sets, marked VAL or 4-pack, which helps when more than one colour has run dry.
• Cartridge or bottle. Most are cartridges, but the range also includes refill bottles for tank machines.
• Colours. Black (20 products), cyan (15), yellow (14) and magenta (13), each sold on its own.

Where to find the LC number

The code is printed on the cartridge itself and listed in the printer manual. With neither at hand, open the Compatible with field in the specifications: it lists the machines, so the cartridge can be traced from your DCP or MFC model without the old cartridge.

If your printer is a laser

If your Brother machine prints with toner rather than ink, see Brother toners, which hold the TN series. Epson ink is on the Epson page, and the whole range sits under ink and toner cartridges. For a new machine see all-in-one printers and paper.

Frequently asked questions

Does an XL cartridge fit the same printer as a standard one? Yes. XL is the same cartridge with more ink in it: the printer and the slot are unchanged, you just swap less often.

What does VAL mean in a cartridge name? It is the maker's marking for a set: the box holds black, cyan, magenta and yellow together.

Are LC-421 and LC-422 interchangeable? No. A change of number means a new generation and a different shape, and a printer accepts only its own series.