Xerox metered supplies are toner cartridges Xerox ships to customers on a cost-per-copy contract: they stay Xerox property until used and cannot be resold or moved to another machine. If you bought your Xerox printer outright, you need "sold" supplies instead, identified by the 106R or 006R part number and capacity printed on the cartridge label.
This guide explains how to read Xerox part numbers, what standard, high and extra-high capacity actually save you, how to tell whether your printer is on a metered plan, and how to match the right genuine Xerox toner to your model the first time.
How Xerox part numbers work
Every Xerox supply carries a nine-character part number: a three-character prefix, a letter, and a five-digit sequence, for example 106R04347. The prefix tells you what kind of supply it is; the digits identify the exact product. Unlike HP (A/X) or Canon (H), Xerox does not build the capacity into a suffix letter, so the only reliable way to know whether a cartridge is standard or high capacity is the label or the product listing.
| Prefix | What it usually is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 106R | Toner cartridge (most desktop and office models) | 106R03582 toner for VersaLink B400/B405 |
| 006R | Toner cartridge (often larger office devices; also some desktop models) | 006R04376 toner for B305/B310/B315 |
| 101R | Drum cartridge | 101R00555 drum for Phaser 3330/WorkCentre 3335/3345 |
| 113R | Drum cartridge (older and larger models) | 113R00773 drum for Phaser 3610/WorkCentre 3615 |
| 013R | Imaging unit or drum | 013R00690 imaging unit for B305/B310/B315 |
Other prefixes cover waste toner containers, fusers and maintenance kits. Two practical rules follow from this system:
- The prefix does not tell you sold from metered. Both sold and metered Xerox toners use 106R and 006R numbers. The word "Metered" (or "Sold") appears in the product description, not in a code you can decode.
- Neighboring numbers are not proof of compatibility. 106R04346 and 106R04347 happen to be the standard and high-capacity toners for the same B210 family, but the next number in a sequence can belong to a completely different printer. Always confirm against the printer list.
Standard, high and extra-high capacity explained
Many Xerox printers accept two or three cartridge sizes in the same slot, labeled Standard, High and Extra High Capacity and rated in average pages under ISO/IEC 19752 (about 5% coverage). The printer works the same with any size; only the toner inside and the cost per page change.
Using current prices in our store, the larger cartridge always wins on cost per page, and the gap grows with the capacity step:
| Printer family | Smaller cartridge | Larger cartridge | Price vs pages | Cost per page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B205 / B210 / B215 | 106R04346, standard, 1,500 pages | 106R04347, high, 3,000 pages | about 1.4× the price for 2× the pages | about 32% lower |
| VersaLink B400 / B405 | 106R03580, standard, 5,900 pages | 106R03582, high, 13,900 pages | about 1.7× the price for 2.4× the pages | about 26% lower |
| Phaser 3330 / WorkCentre 3335 / 3345 | 106R03620, standard, 2,600 pages | 106R03624, extra high, 15,000 pages | about 2.4× the price for 5.8× the pages | about 59% lower |
A simple decision rule: if one cartridge of the larger size will be used up within about a year, buy the larger size. Choose the standard size only for printers that barely run, where a large cartridge would sit half-full for years, or when the upfront spend matters more than cost per page. Our guide to ISO page yield ratings explains why your real page count depends on what you print.
Xerox metered supplies vs sold supplies
Xerox supplies reach customers in two different ways, and mixing them up is a common reason a "correct" cartridge gets rejected.
Metered supplies (cost-per-copy contracts)
According to Xerox's own metered supplies page, these programs are for customers who pay on a cost-per-copy basis. The key terms Xerox states:
- Xerox decides which supplies are provided, and they remain Xerox property until consumed.
- Metered stock at your site may not be sold or used in other equipment, and unused supplies go back when the machine is removed.
- The contract requires periodic meter reads for billing, and Xerox may invoice extra charges for excessive supply usage.
- Ordering runs through a Metered Supplies account registered with the device serial number; automatic replenishment on most models aims to keep about one month of supply on hand.
Metered machines are typically larger office multifunction devices placed by Xerox or a Xerox dealer under a service agreement. On these devices the supplies plan is a setting in the machine. Xerox support documentation for several WorkCentre and Xerox Color models describes entering a "Supplies Plan Activation Code" from the administrator menu to change it, which is why switching plans is something Xerox or your dealer handles, not something you fix by buying a different cartridge.
Sold supplies (you own the printer)
If you bought the printer outright, from Xerox or a retailer, and pay no per-page fee, you buy sold supplies. Every Xerox cartridge GS TONER stocks is a sold, retail-boxed supply: 100% genuine, brand new and factory sealed. This covers nearly all desktop Xerox printers in small offices, including the B-series, Phaser and VersaLink B400 models listed below.
How to tell which one your printer uses
- Check your paperwork. A lease or service agreement that bills per page usually means metered supplies come with it.
- Look for a dealer or contract sticker on the machine with a phone number for supplies and service.
- Print a configuration report from the control panel or open the printer's built-in web page; on many larger models the supplies plan or billing mode is listed there. Wording varies by model.
- When in doubt, call the dealer or Xerox with the serial number before buying. If the machine is under contract, order toner through the contract; you have already paid for it.
You may also see "DMO" on some Xerox listings. It is a Xerox regional sales designation for markets outside North America. For a printer bought in the US, buy the part number Xerox lists for the US market.
Xerox toner cartridges we stock, by printer
These are the genuine Xerox toners currently in our catalog. Drums are separate parts on these models and last several toner changes.
| Printers | Toner (capacity, yield) | Separate drum |
|---|---|---|
| Xerox B210, B205, B215 |
106R04346 standard, 1,500 pages 106R04347 high, 3,000 pages |
101R00664, about 10,000 pages |
| Xerox B310, B305, B315 | 006R04376 standard, 3,000 pages | 013R00690 imaging unit, about 40,000 pages |
| Xerox Phaser 3260, WorkCentre 3215, 3225 (also listed for Phaser 3052) | 106R02775 standard, 1,500 pages | 101R00474, about 10,000 pages |
| Xerox Phaser 3330, WorkCentre 3345, 3335 |
106R03620 standard, 2,600 pages 106R03624 extra high, 15,000 pages |
101R00555, about 30,000 pages |
| Xerox VersaLink B400, B405 |
106R03580 standard, 5,900 pages 106R03582 high, 13,900 pages |
101R00554, about 65,000 pages |
| Xerox Phaser 3610, WorkCentre 3615 | 106R02720 standard, 5,900 pages | 113R00773, about 68,000 pages |
Drum yields are Xerox's approximate figures; Xerox notes they vary with job length, paper type and usage patterns. For model-by-model detail, see our family guides: Xerox B210 / B205 / B215 toner, Phaser 3330 and WorkCentre 3335/3345 toner, VersaLink B400/B405 toner, Phaser 3610 and WorkCentre 3615 toner, Xerox B305 / B310 / B315 toner and Phaser 3260 and WorkCentre 3215/3225 toner.
How to find the right Xerox toner for your printer
- Read the exact model name. It is on the front panel or the label inside the front door. "B210" and "B215" share toner; "VersaLink B400" and "VersaLink B600" do not.
- Check the part number on the cartridge you are replacing. It is printed on the cartridge label and on the box end. If it says "Metered", stop and read the section above.
- Print a supplies or configuration page. Most Xerox models list the installed toner and drum part numbers and the remaining life.
- Pick the capacity. Any listed capacity fits your printer; choose by monthly volume using the table above.
- Check the drum separately. A "replace drum" or "imaging unit" message will not be cured by new toner.
Still unsure? Our cartridge finder matches your model to the right part, and every order is covered by our "right cartridge or your money back" guarantee.
Genuine Xerox toner vs compatible cartridges
Genuine Xerox toner is formulated and tested by Xerox for each printer, and the cartridge chip reports accurate levels to the printer and to the printer's web page. Compatible and remanufactured cartridges are made by third parties; quality varies by brand and batch, and some trigger "non-genuine" or supply warnings on Xerox devices. If you choose a compatible, buy from a seller with a clear return policy and keep the original cartridge until the new one has printed cleanly.
Recognizing genuine supplies is simple: a sealed Xerox box, the Xerox part number and capacity on the label, and a sealed inner bag. Xerox runs a free return program for empty genuine cartridges called the Green World Alliance; current US options are on Xerox's supplies recycling page. Some newer cartridges, such as 006R04376, are labeled "Use & Return" on Xerox's US site, so send those empties back through Xerox rather than the trash.
The short version
- Own the printer? Buy sold supplies by part number. Leased or on a per-page contract? Order through the contract.
- Prefixes tell you the supply type (106R/006R toner, 101R/113R/013R drum), not the capacity and not sold vs metered.
- The largest capacity your printer accepts is almost always the cheapest per page if you print every week.
Frequently asked questions
What are Xerox metered supplies?
They are supplies Xerox provides to customers on a cost-per-copy contract. Xerox decides which supplies are shipped, they remain Xerox property until used, they cannot be sold or used in other equipment, and the contract requires periodic meter reads for billing.
Can I use retail (sold) Xerox toner in a printer that is on a metered plan?
Check with your contract provider first. The machine's supplies plan setting decides which cartridges it accepts, and on many models only Xerox or the dealer can change it with an activation code. If your printer is under contract, your toner is already paid for through the per-page price.
What does 106R mean on a Xerox toner cartridge?
106R is the Xerox prefix for toner cartridges on most desktop and office models; 006R is also used for toner. Drum cartridges use prefixes such as 101R, 113R or 013R. The prefix does not indicate capacity, so read the label for Standard, High or Extra High Capacity.
Is high capacity Xerox toner worth it?
Usually, yes. At current prices the high or extra-high capacity cartridge costs about 26% to 59% less per page than the standard one for the same printer. Buy the standard size only if your printer prints very little.
Where can I buy genuine Xerox toner?
Genuine sold Xerox toner is available from Xerox and from toner retailers. GS TONER stocks genuine, factory-sealed Xerox cartridges for the B210, B310, Phaser 3260, Phaser 3330, WorkCentre 3335/3345, VersaLink B400/B405 and Phaser 3610 families with free US shipping.
How do I recycle Xerox toner cartridges?
Use the Xerox Green World Alliance program, which accepts empty genuine Xerox supplies free of charge. Xerox's US recycling page lists the current return options and how to get a prepaid label.
