The HP Color LaserJet Pro M254 and M281 take HP 202 toner. Choose HP 202A, the standard set (CF500A black, CF501A cyan, CF502A yellow, CF503A magenta), or HP 202X, the high-yield set (CF500X to CF503X). Both sets fit the same printers. The X cartridges just hold more pages.
For most offices the best buy is the compatible HP 202X 4-pack: $86.89 for all four high-yield colours.
Printers that take HP 202A and 202X
| Printer | Cartridges |
|---|---|
| HP Color LaserJet Pro M254nw | 202A or 202X |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro M254dn | 202A or 202X |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro M254dw | 202A or 202X |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281cdw | 202A or 202X |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdn | 202A or 202X |
| HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw | 202A or 202X |
HP's user guide for the Color LaserJet Pro M253-M254 covers the M254nw and M254dn and lists the same 202A and 202X part numbers as its replacement supplies.
Yield, price and cost per page
| Cartridge | Part number | Page yield | Price | Cost per page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP 202A Black | CF500A | 1,400 pages | $25.93 | 1.85¢ |
| HP 202A Cyan | CF501A | 1,300 pages | $25.93 | 1.99¢ |
| HP 202A Yellow | CF502A | 1,300 pages | $25.93 | 1.99¢ |
| HP 202A Magenta | CF503A | 1,300 pages | $25.93 | 1.99¢ |
| HP 202X Black | CF500X | 3,200 pages | $26.48 | 0.83¢ |
| HP 202X Cyan | CF501X | 2,500 pages | $26.20 | 1.05¢ |
| HP 202X Yellow | CF502X | 2,500 pages | $26.20 | 1.05¢ |
| HP 202X Magenta | CF503X | 2,500 pages | $26.20 | 1.05¢ |
Prices as listed on October 13, 2026. Cost per page is the price divided by the rated yield. Every cartridge ships with its chip installed.
Single cartridges or a 4-pack?
| Set | 4-pack price | Four singles | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 202A 4-pack | $61.95 | $103.72 | $41.77 |
| HP 202X 4-pack | $86.89 | $105.08 | $18.19 |
If every colour is running low, a pack costs less than four single cartridges. If only one colour is empty, buy that single and keep the rest in the printer.
Which set should you buy?
A 202X black cartridge costs 55 cents more than a 202A black and prints 1,800 more pages, so its cost per page is less than half. The high-yield colours work out at about 1.05¢ a page, against about 2.00¢ for the standard ones. That's why the 202X 4-pack is our pick for anyone who prints every week.
The 202A 4-pack costs the least up front. It suits a printer that only gets used now and then.
FAQ
Do the M254 and M281 use the same toner?
Yes. HP lists the same 202A and 202X cartridges for both the M254 and the M281.
Can I mix 202A and 202X cartridges?
Yes. Each colour has its own slot, and the A and X versions of a colour share a part-number family (CF501A and CF501X are both cyan, for example). You could run a 202X black next to 202A colours.
How do I check which cartridge I have now?
Read the part number on the label of the cartridge in the printer. It starts with CF50: an A at the end means standard yield, an X means high yield.
How many pages does a full 202X set print?
HP rates the 202X black at 3,200 pages and each 202X colour at 2,500 pages. The 202A ratings are 1,400 black and 1,300 per colour.
Sources: HP Color LaserJet Pro M253-M254 User Guide (h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05534323.pdf) and HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M278-M281 User Guide (h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05543371.pdf).