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Standard yield

HP 305 cartridges: codes, yield and prices

STD standard yield

HP 305 is the standard-yield version of the 305 family: a separate black (3YM61AE) and tri-colour cartridge (3YM60AE).

Content updated:

The two standard cartridges

An HP 305 printer uses two separate positions: black and tri-colour. The colour cartridge holds cyan, magenta and yellow in one body. When one of those three runs out, you replace the whole colour cartridge. Black has its own cartridge and can be replaced on its own.

Check the OEM code

Use the full part number when you buy. 3YM61AE is standard black and 3YM60AE standard tri-colour. The official 2-pack with both is 6ZD17AE. The code avoids mix-ups with 305XL and with cartridges from other printer families.

A 2-pack only makes sense if you need black and colour at about the same time. Compare the pack price with the two single cartridges above; a bundle isn't automatically cheaper.

Choosing standard or XL

ChoiceYield (HP)SuitsWatch out for
HP 305approx. 120 black / 100 colourOccasional printing, lower purchase priceMore frequent changes at higher volume
HP 305XLapprox. 240 black / 200 colourRegular printing, fewer changesHigher price; check the cost per page first

Already leaning one way? Check current prices and available options for each capacity.

See current HP 305 prices See current HP 305XL prices

Compare original and alternative cartridges

Compare the current original HP reference with compatible and explicitly remanufactured options. Alternative yields are seller claims, not tests by 305-ink.com.

Original HP reference offers

Direct, checked original offers for a like-for-like check. Compatible and remanufactured products stay separate below.

Original HP

  • HP 305 Black

    3YM61AE

    £13.99

    HP Store
    View offer

  • HP 305 Tri-colour

    3YM60AE

    £13.99

    HP Store
    View offer

  • HP 305XL Black

    3YM62AE

    £19.86

    Cartridge Save
    View offer

  • HP 305XL Tri-colour

    3YM63AE

    £18.19

    Cartridge Save
    View offer
Yield = the seller's own figure (not tested by 305-ink.com). Comparison = the same composition in original HP 305XL cartridges at the lowest checked price.
Product Stated pages Price Original HP 305XL, same composition Retailer
Cartridge Save Premium 305XL Tri-colour (remanufactured) Remanufactured 1× tri-colour · remanufactured colour 375 £13.64 checked 23 September 2026 £18.19 colour 200 pages At Cartridge Save
Cartridge Save Premium 305XL Black (remanufactured) Remanufactured 1× black · remanufactured black 650 £14.89 checked 23 September 2026 £19.86 black 240 pages At Cartridge Save
TonerGiant compatible HP 305XL black Compatible 1× black · compatible black 240 £17.15 checked 27 September 2026 £19.86 black 240 pages At TonerGiant
Premium compatible HP 305XL black Compatible 1× black · compatible black 240 £19.99 checked 27 September 2026 £19.86 black 240 pages At The Cartridge Centre
Cartridge Save Premium 305XL 2-pack (black + tri-colour, remanufactured) Remanufactured 1× black + 1× tri-colour · remanufactured black 650 · colour 375 £28.39 checked 23 September 2026 £38.05 black 240 · colour 200 pages At Cartridge Save
TonerGiant compatible HP 305XL black + tri-colour multipack Compatible 1× black + 1× tri-colour · compatible black 240 · colour 200 £30.86 checked 27 September 2026 £38.05 black 240 · colour 200 pages At TonerGiant
Check more retailers (5)

Not ranked: where no exact HP 305 listing has been verified, we show a shop or range link only — never an invented price.

Check your printer before you buy

HP lists the 305 family for DeskJet 2700e and 2800e models and ENVY 6000/6400 variants, among others. Look up your full model, for example "DeskJet 2820e", in the printer list.

HP 305 questions

Should I buy HP 305 or HP 305XL?

305 and 305XL fit the same printers and print equally well. The difference is the amount of ink: HP states about 120 pages (black) and 100 pages (tri-colour) for the standard cartridges, and about 240 and 200 pages for the XL versions (ISO/IEC 24711, continuous printing). Whether XL is cheaper per page depends only on the current price divided by that yield — we work that out with the prices checked now, not with a rule of thumb.

Can I use an HP 305 and an HP 305XL in the same printer?

Yes. The printer checks each position (black or tri-colour) for a valid cartridge; standard or XL makes no difference to it. A common combination is XL for the colour you use up fastest and standard for the other.

Is the HP 305 2-pack (6ZD17AE) cheaper than two single cartridges?

The official 2-pack 6ZD17AE contains one standard black and one standard tri-colour cartridge. Whether it's cheaper than buying them separately depends on the current pack price versus the sum of the single prices — compare both before you buy. There is also an official 305XL 2-pack (6ZA94AE); UK retailers sell it, but HP Store UK's own page for it returned an error on 23 September 2026.

What are the official HP 305 part numbers?

HP 305 black is 3YM61AE, HP 305 tri-colour is 3YM60AE, HP 305XL black is 3YM62AE and HP 305XL tri-colour is 3YM63AE. The official 2-packs are 6ZD17AE (standard black + tri-colour) and 6ZA94AE (305XL black + tri-colour).

Why don't you show a price for Amazon.co.uk?

We only show Amazon prices from Amazon's own product API. Until that is connected, we link to the exact Amazon listing without an amount rather than publishing a figure we read off the page, which goes out of date quickly.

Why aren't Currys or Cartridge People in the comparison?

When we checked on 23 September 2026, Currys showed a 'We'll be back soon' page and Cartridge People showed an automated bot check, so we couldn't read a price from either. We only list a shop once we've read its exact product page.

Sources (4)

Facts from HP and standards bodies are labelled as such. Calculations (cost per page and annual cost) are estimates by the 305-ink.com editorial team. Last reconciled on .