Which ink does the HP OfficeJet Pro 8740 use?

The HP OfficeJet Pro 8740 (inkjet, 2016) uses HP 952XL, HP 952.

Third-party cartridge risk: Medium a firmware update can start blocking non-OEM cartridges, so check before buying a large supply, or hold off on firmware updates.

The HP OfficeJet Pro 8740 uses HP 952XL and HP 952 ink cartridges which are available in black and four color options cyan magenta and yellow all with high yield capabilities but also a standard version of the black cartridge. If you're looking to save money on printing costs consider opting for the XL versions as they offer more pages per cartridge. However it's worth noting that this printer can block non-OEM cartridges via firmware so be cautious when purchasing ink from third-party suppliers.

Firmware DRM: Subject to HP Dynamic Security firmware that can block non-HP chips. See which printers block third-party ink →

Compatible cartridges

Cartridge	Color	Yield	Pages	OEM price	Cost/page
HP 952XL	black	XL	2000	$45.00	2.2¢	OEM · Amazon Compatible
HP 952XL	cyan	XL	1600	$38.00	2.4¢	OEM · Amazon Compatible
HP 952XL	magenta	XL	1600	$38.00	2.4¢	OEM · Amazon Compatible
HP 952XL	yellow	XL	1600	$38.00	2.4¢	OEM · Amazon Compatible
HP 952	black	standard	1000	$28.00	2.8¢	OEM · Amazon Compatible

XL (high-yield) cartridges cost more upfront but lower the cost per page, which is better if you print a lot.

Our pick: genuine OEM is the safer bet

The HP OfficeJet Pro 8740 is on our firmware-lockout list, so a compatible or remanufactured cartridge can stop working after a printer update. The safe choice is genuine HP ink. If you want to try a compatible to save money, buy only from a seller that guarantees it works with this printer's current firmware, and keep the receipt.

Frequently asked questions

Which ink does the HP OfficeJet Pro 8740 use?

The HP OfficeJet Pro 8740 uses HP 952 and HP 952XL.

Does the HP OfficeJet Pro 8740 take XL cartridges?

Yes. Besides the standard cartridges it accepts HP 952XL. A high-yield XL holds more ink and costs less per page, which is worth it if you print often.

Will third-party ink work in the HP OfficeJet Pro 8740, or will firmware block it?

Subject to HP Dynamic Security firmware that can block non-HP chips.

How many pages do the HP OfficeJet Pro 8740 cartridges print?

Rated yields are the HP 952 at about 1000 pages, the HP 952XL at about 1600 pages and the HP 952XL at about 2000 pages. Real-world yield depends on how much you print and how much ink each page uses.

What is the cheapest ink for the HP OfficeJet Pro 8740?

By list price the lowest cost per page here is the HP 952XL at about 2.2 cents per page. A reliable compatible or remanufactured cartridge can lower that further.

Related HP OfficeJet Pro printers

Last reviewed 9 August 2026. Compiled by MyCartridgeFinder from manufacturer cartridge finders and retailer cross reference tables, then checked against this printer's database record. Cartridge numbers and yields come from that record, never from guesswork. See our methodology and data sources.