Brother's toner is organized around a model-specific TN code and a yield class, same idea as most laser brands — but Brother splits toner and the drum into two separate purchasable parts more consistently than most competitors, which catches people off guard the first time.
Brother toner cartridges use a "TN-" prefix followed by a number tied to a specific printer series — a TN-660 fits a different set of models than a TN-730, for example, even if the printers look similar. Your printer's manual, the box the old cartridge came in, or the printer's own supply-status screen will list the exact code — that's what to search for, not just your printer's model name alone.
Brother typically sells the same toner cartridge in two capacities for a given printer: a standard-yield version and a high-yield version (often marked with an extra letter or number in the code, like "TN-660" standard vs. "TN-630" or similar naming depending on the exact series). Both fit the same printer — the difference is purely how much toner is inside and the cost per page, so pick based on your print volume rather than worrying about compatibility.
This is where Brother differs from how some other brands present things: the toner cartridge and the drum unit are separate parts with separate part numbers and separate lifespans. The drum typically lasts through several toner cartridges before it needs replacing on its own — Brother printers usually track drum life independently and will show a distinct "replace drum" message separate from "toner low." If you're only ever buying toner and print quality is still declining (streaks, spots, faded patches), the drum unit — not the toner — is usually the actual answer.
On Brother's color laser printers, toner is sold individually per color — black, cyan, magenta, and yellow each have their own TN code — so you only replace whichever color is actually low. Monochrome models use just the one black cartridge.
The most reliable source is your printer's own supply-status screen (usually under a Settings or Toner menu) or the sticker on the cartridge currently installed. Searching by the TN code directly avoids any ambiguity that can come from searching by printer model name alone, since some models support more than one valid toner option across yield classes.
The full replacement walkthrough, including when to also replace the drum unit.
See the replacement guideThe complete guide, including drum unit replacement.
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