The right Brother toner cartridge is set by your printer's model number, not by how the printer looks. Find the model (for example HL-L2350DW) on the front or top of the machine, match it to its TN toner family in the tables below, then choose a yield. Most Brother lasers also use a separate DR drum unit, listed alongside.
How to find your Brother printer model and toner number
- Read the model on the printer. Brother prints it on the front panel or top cover: HL-L2350DW, MFC-L2750DW, DCP-L2550DW. Copy every letter and digit. The HL-L2300D and the HL-L2350DW look almost identical but take different toner.
- Check the old cartridge. The toner number is on the cartridge label and its box. Brother often writes it with a hyphen (TN-760); TN760 and TN-760 are the same part.
- Look at the drum unit. Open the front cover and lift out the drum and toner assembly. The drum unit carries its own DR number (for example DR730).
- Still unsure? Search your model in our printer directory or use the cartridge finder page, which list the exact toner and drum for each machine.
How Brother toner numbers work: TN, DR and yield tiers
Brother uses two prefixes for laser supplies. TN is the toner cartridge, the part you replace most often. DR is the drum unit, the light-sensitive drum that transfers toner to the paper and outlasts several toner cartridges. On color models a CL ending marks the color drum unit (DR223CL), and each toner adds a color code: BK black, C cyan, M magenta, Y yellow (TN227BK, TN227C and so on). Brother inkjet printers use LC ink cartridges, a completely separate system.
Standard, high, super and ultra high yield
Within one family the numbers climb with capacity: TN730, TN760, TN770, or TN820, TN850, TN880, TN890. Newer families use suffixes instead: XL, XXL and UXXL (TN229XL, TN920XXL, TN920UXXL). Tiers in a family share the same printers and drum, with one exception: the largest super and ultra high-yield cartridges are supported only by certain models in a series. Similar numbers across families mean nothing, though: a TN760 will not fit a printer that takes TN660.
| Tier | How Brother labels it | Examples (pages) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Base number, no suffix | TN730 (1,200), TN830 (1,200), TN920 (3,000) |
| High yield | Next number up, or XL | TN760 (3,000), TN830XL (3,000), TN850 (8,000), TN920XL (6,000) |
| Super high yield | Next number up, or XXL | TN770 (4,500), TN880 (12,000), TN920XXL (11,000) |
| Ultra high yield | Top number, or UXXL | TN890 (20,000), TN920UXXL (18,000) |
Yields are measured at about 5% page coverage under ISO/IEC 19752 (black) and ISO/IEC 19798 (color), so they compare fairly across tiers. Our guide to Brother yield tiers goes deeper.
Reading the printer name
HL models are printers only, MFC models add scan, copy and fax, and DCP models print, scan and copy without fax. Letters after the number describe features: C color, D duplex, W wireless, N network, T an extra paper tray. A printer ending in XL, such as the HL-L2370DWXL, is a bundled version of the base model and uses the same supplies. The L after the dash marks Brother's newer generation, so the HL-L2350DW and the older HL-2270DW take different cartridges.
Brother toner cartridge finder: monochrome laser printers
Newest series first. Each toner and drum links to the product page; the guide column covers every model, yield and install step for that family.
| Printer models | Toner (standard to largest) | Drum | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| HL-L2400D, L2405W, L2420DW, L2460DW(XL), L2465DW, L2467DW, L2480DW, L2865DW; MFC-L2760DW, L2807DW, L2820DW(XL), L2900DW(XL), L2980DW; DCP-L2640DW, L2647DW | TN830 (1,200), TN830XL (3,000) | DR830 (15,000) | TN830 guide |
| HL-L2350DW, L2370DW(XL), L2390DW, L2395DW; MFC-L2690DW, L2710DW, L2717DW, L2730DW, L2750DW(XL); DCP-L2550DW | TN730 (1,200), TN760 (3,000), TN770 (4,500, select models) | DR730 (12,000) | TN730/TN760 guide |
| HL-L2300D, L2320D, L2340DW, L2360DW, L2380DW; MFC-L2700DW, L2720DW, L2740DW; DCP-L2520DW, L2540DW | TN630 (1,200), TN660 (2,600) | DR630 (12,000) | TN630 guide |
| HL-L5210DN/DW/DWT, L5215DW, L6210DW(T), L6217DW, L6310DW, L6415DW(T), HL-EX415DW; MFC-L5710DN/DW, L5715DW, L5717DW, L5915DW, L6810DW, L6915DW, MFC-EX915DW; DCP-L5510DN | TN920 (3,000), TN920XL (6,000), TN920XXL (11,000), TN920UXXL (18,000, select models) | DR920 (45,000) | TN920 guide |
| HL-L5000D, L5100DN, L5200DW(T), L6200DW(T), L6250DW, L6300DW, L6400DW(T); MFC-L5700DW, L5705DW, L5800DW, L5850DW, L5900DW, L6700DW, L6750DW, L6800DW, L6900DW; DCP-L5500DN, L5600DN, L5650DN | TN820 (3,000), TN850 (8,000), TN880 (12,000, select models), TN890 (20,000, select models) | DR820 (30,000) | TN820/TN850 guide |
| HL-2220, 2230, 2240(D), 2270DW, 2275DW, 2280DW; MFC-7240, 7360N, 7365DN, 7460DN, 7860DW; DCP-7060D, 7065DN; IntelliFax-2840, 2940 | TN420 (1,200), TN450 (2,600) | DR420 (12,000) | TN420 guide |
| HL-5450DN, 5470DW(T), 6180DW(T); MFC-8510DN, 8710DW, 8910DW, 8950DW(T); DCP-8110DN, 8150DN, 8155DN | TN720 (3,000), TN750 (8,000), TN780 (12,000, select models) | DR720 (30,000) | TN720 guide |
| HL-5340D, 5370DW(T); MFC-8480DN, 8680DN, 8890DW; DCP-8080DN, 8085DN | TN620 (3,000), TN650 (8,000) | DR620 (25,000) | TN620 guide |
| HL-5240, 5250DN(T), 5280DW; MFC-8460N, 8660DN, 8670DN, 8860DN, 8870DW; DCP-8060, 8065DN | TN550 (3,500), TN580 (7,000) | DR520 (25,000) | TN550 guide |
| HL-2140, 2170W; MFC-7340, 7345N, 7440N, 7840W; DCP-7030, 7040 | TN330 (1,500), TN360 (2,600) | DR360 (12,000) | TN330 guide |
| HL-2040, 2070N; MFC-7220, 7225N, 7420, 7820N; DCP-7020; IntelliFax-2820, 2910, 2920 | TN350 (2,500) | DR350 (12,000) | TN350 guide |
| HL-1230 to HL-1470N, HL-P2500; MFC-8300 to MFC-9870, MFC-P2500; DCP-1200, 1400; IntelliFax-4100(e), 4750(e), 5750(e) | TN430 (3,000), TN460 (6,000) | DR400 (20,000) | TN430 guide |
Watch the restricted tiers. TN770 fits only the HL-L2370DW(XL) and MFC-L2750DW(XL). TN880 fits the HL-L6200DW and up and the MFC-L6700DW and up; TN890 only the HL-L6400DW(T) and MFC-L6900DW. TN780 fits only the HL-6180DW(T) and MFC-8950DW(T), and TN920UXXL only the higher-end TN920 models. Popular printer pages such as the HL-L2350DW, MFC-L2750DW, HL-L2460DW and HL-L6200DW show exactly which tiers each model accepts.
Brother color laser toner finder
Color models take four cartridges (BK, C, M, Y). The links below go to the black cartridge; each product page links its matching colors and packs. Drums shown without a link are Brother parts we do not currently stock.
| Printer models | Toner (black / color yield) | Drum | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| HL-L3220CDW, L3280CDW, L3295CDW, L3300CDW, L8245CDW; MFC-L3720CDW, L3765CDW, L3780CDW, L8395CDW | TN229 (1,500 / 1,200), TN229XL (3,000 / 2,300), TN229XXL (4,500 / 4,000) | DR229CL | TN229 guide |
| HL-L3210CW, L3230CDW, L3270CDW, L3290CDW; MFC-L3710CW, L3750CDW, L3770CDW | TN223 (1,400 / 1,300), TN227 (3,000 / 2,300) | DR223CL (18,000) | TN223 guide |
| HL-3140CW, 3170CDW, 3180CDW; MFC-9130CW, 9330CDW, 9340CDW | TN221 (2,500 / 1,400), TN225 color only (2,200) | DR221CL (15,000) | TN221 guide |
| HL-L8260CDW, L8360CDW(T); MFC-L8610CDW, L8900CDW (TN436 also: HL-L9310CDW, MFC-L9570CDW) | TN431 (3,000 / 1,800), TN433 (4,500 / 4,000), TN436 (6,500 / 6,500), TN437 (select models) | DR431CL | TN431 guide |
| HL-L8250CDN, L8350CDW(T); MFC-L8600CDW, L8850CDW | TN331 (2,500 / 1,500), TN336 (4,000 / 3,500) | DR331CL | TN331 guide |
| HL-4150CDN, 4570CDW(T); MFC-9460CDN, 9560CDW, 9970CDW | TN310 (2,500 / 1,500), TN315 (6,000 / 3,500) | DR310CL | TN310 guide |
| HL-L9410CDN, L9430CDN, L9470CDN, HL-EX470W; MFC-L9610CDN, L9630CDN, L9670CDN, MFC-EX670W | TN810 (9,000 / 6,500), TN810XL (12,000 / 9,000) | DR810CL | TN810 guide |
| HL-3040CN, 3070CW; MFC-9010CN, 9120CN, 9320CW | TN210 (2,200 / 1,400) | DR210CL | TN210 guide |
For the TN229 printers, such as the HL-L3280CDW, a TN229 CMYK 4-pack covers a full color change in one order.
Which Brother toner yield should you buy?
A larger cartridge costs more up front but less per page. Ratios below use current GS TONER prices for the black cartridges; promotions shift them, but the pattern holds.
| Comparison | Price | Pages | Cost per page |
|---|---|---|---|
| TN760 vs TN730 | about 1.7× | 2.5× | about 32% lower |
| TN830XL vs TN830 | about 1.6× | 2.5× | about 36% lower |
| TN920XL vs TN920 | about 1.35× | 2× | about 33% lower |
| TN920UXXL vs TN920 | about 2.5× | 6× | about 59% lower |
| TN229XXL black vs TN229 black | about 1.6× | 3× | about 46% lower |
Decision rule: if your printer gets through a standard cartridge in less than three months, buy the largest tier your model supports. Stay with standard cartridges only for a lightly used printer, one you plan to retire soon, or when the up-front cost matters more than the page cost.
Toner vs drum: two parts, two schedules
On almost every Brother laser the toner cartridge clicks into a separate drum unit. The drum outlasts several cartridges: the DR730 is rated at about 12,000 pages, four TN760s; the DR920 at about 45,000. When the display says "Replace Toner", change only the toner. Replace the drum when the printer asks for it, or when prints show repeating dots or marks that cleaning the corona wire does not fix, then reset the drum counter as described in your manual. Our guides explain what the drum does and how to reset it, and toner vs drum units covers other brands.
Genuine vs compatible Brother toner
Genuine Brother cartridges are built for the printer's drum and firmware, and their yields are tested under the ISO/IEC methods above. Compatible cartridges are new third-party shells; remanufactured ones are used Brother shells refilled by another company. Quality varies by maker, and the usual complaints are short real-world yield, recognition errors and toner leaking onto the drum, which costs more than the toner. Manufacturer warranties generally do not cover damage caused by third-party supplies. See how to tell if Brother toner is genuine and the real cost per page of compatibles.
Common ordering mistakes
- Mixing up generations. HL-L2300D/L2340DW take TN630/TN660, HL-L2350DW/L2390DW take TN730/TN760, and HL-L2400D/L2460DW take TN830/TN830XL. They look alike and do not interchange.
- Ordering a drum when only the toner is empty, or the reverse. Read the exact message on the display first.
- Buying a restricted super or ultra high-yield cartridge for a model that does not support it.
- Judging yield by the first cartridge. Many new printers ship with a smaller starter cartridge; see starter vs full-yield toner.
- Looking for "Brother ink" for a laser. Laser printers use toner. Brother inkjets use LC ink cartridges, which we do not sell.
The short version
Model number first, then the TN family, then the largest yield your model accepts, and check the drum separately. Every Brother cartridge at GS TONER is genuine and factory sealed, ships free in the US, and is covered by our right-cartridge-or-your-money-back guarantee. Browse the Brother best sellers if you want the most common cartridges in one place.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which Brother toner cartridge I need?
Find the full model number on the front or top of your printer, such as HL-L2350DW, and match it to its TN family in the tables above. The number is also printed on your old cartridge. Every letter matters: the HL-L2300D takes TN630 or TN660, while the HL-L2350DW takes TN730 or TN760.
What is the difference between Brother TN and DR numbers?
TN numbers are toner cartridges, which hold the toner powder and are replaced most often. DR numbers are drum units, which transfer the toner image to paper and last for several toner cartridges. Most Brother laser printers need both, bought separately.
Can I use a high-yield Brother toner instead of the standard one?
Usually yes. High-yield cartridges such as TN760, TN830XL, TN850 and TN920XL fit every printer that takes the standard cartridge of the same family. Some super and ultra high-yield cartridges, such as TN770, TN880, TN890 and TN920UXXL, work only in certain models, so check the compatible list first.
Do I need to replace the drum every time I replace the toner?
No. A Brother drum unit lasts several toner cartridges, for example about 12,000 pages for the DR730 versus 3,000 pages for a TN760. Replace the drum only when the printer asks for it or prints show repeating marks that cleaning does not fix.
Why did the toner that came with my Brother printer run out so fast?
Many new Brother printers ship with an in-box starter cartridge rated for fewer pages than a retail standard cartridge, so the first replacement often comes early. Retail replacement cartridges deliver their full rated yield.
