Here’s the definitive guide to help you find the right refill for your pen. If you have a gold Cross pen or a Waterman Expert pen (or any other sort of pen for that matter), this guide is for you!
It can be frustrating to spend money and wasting delivery times on a refill only to find out that it doesn’t fit. It might take some digging to figure out which brand of ink cartridge fits which pen: this article is meant to do a lot of the digging for you.
Here's why it takes digging:
Some pen brands take standard refill sizes, so you can buy generic or off-brand pen ink cartridges (and these are usually cheaper and of exactly the same quality), but others have specific profiles and sizes that fit only their pens.
So, what do you need to know when your Cross pen or any other luxury pen needs an ink refill?
You need to know which pen cartridge types are compatible for, say, Cross pen refills.
You need to know where they're the most affordable.
By following this guide you’ll learn how to find the right refill for your pens.
How Do You Find the Best Pen Refill?
1.) Find Information on the Make and Model of the Pen
Start by identifying your pen’s model and make. Go ahead and use this information to find the right pen cartridge type that fits it perfectly.
A good place to start would be on the manufacturer’s website. Do they mention the specific refill options that go with your pen type?
If not, consider checking with retailers or reviewers.
Is it a pen that’s available at Dayspring Pens? Go to the “shop by style” tab on our site, then click on the ink refill section on the far right. You will find refill options that fit your Cross, Waterman, or Parker pens. Here’s a screenshot to guide you.
Not sure what brand or make yours is? Check your pen refill for identifying marks.
Can you see a model number or manufacturer logo?
Search the web using the identifying mark and see what options you can find.
You could ask other users of luxury pens online for recommendations as well. Make use of online forums such as the fountain pen network, Reddit, and Quora.
Be careful when using model numbers, though. It’s not uncommon to find similar model numbers that are designed for different pen cartridge type sizes. Check the specifications to make sure the new refill matches your pen type.
Consider Searching for Similar-Looking Ink Refills
If you can’t find a branded refill, chances are there are no specialized refill options for your pen type.
In addition, you can also contact the manufacturer online and see if they can offer any recommendations. Alternatively, you can search for a different refill of the same style that’s compatible with your pen.
Note: Only use this method if the first two fail. A similar-looking refill of the same style can have slight variations causing compatibility issues.
Many brands adhere to the same standards of size (ISO 12757-1:2017 and ISO 14145-1:2016) when making their pens. This is why most refill sizes have the same dimensions even though the pens are from different makers.
Are you still in doubt about the right pen refill replacement to use? One of these standard refill styles could be it.
These are short and slim refills usually seen in small multi-function pens.
It’s worth noting that a lot of brands make their own D1 refill sizes. However, if your pen uses a D1 refill, you can use a refill from any brand as they are compatible. There’s a wide range of inks and color options to choose from.
The fact that D1 refill sizes are small in size means that they run out of ink more quickly. They might not serve you longer as their full-size counterparts. But, small pocket writing tools are precisely what they’re designed for.
Size. About 2.6 inches long and 2.3 mm in diameter.
Ink Type. Generally, D1 pen refills are miniaturized ballpoint refills and are almost all interchangeable. There are a few that use gel ink. They get used up faster than ballpoint refills, however.
Parker-style G2 Refill
A Parker-style refill features a wide body with a long thin tip and a threaded plastic piece on the end. This refill type has an easily recognizable shape and is almost always interchangeable.
Being one of the most common refill styles in the world, there are many Parker-style options to choose from. However, the Parker Pens Ballpoint Refills are some of our favorites.
Size- About 3.9 inches long with a wide barrel and a long thin tip.
Ink Style- Generally, they feature ballpoint ink. You may find a few gel ink refill options as well.
Often referred to as the C1 refill, this Cross Ballpoint Refill features a long, thin metallic body. There’s a threaded plastic knob that allows for screwing into the pen body.
These are used in retractable gel and rollerballs. However, they aren’t always interchangeable as they can vary from one brand name to another.
Compatibility issues between brands are often caused by varying lengths and tapered ends. Therefore, it’s best that you use a refill size from your pen’s manufacturer.
Sam Di Nardo is an author for Dayspring Pens, where she has honed her expertise in ballpoint, rollerball, gel and fountain pens since joining the team in 2018.
From her initial role as an Engraver to becoming the Production Manager, Sam's journey has been marked by her passion for the history, manufacturing, and the unique value of gifted writing instruments.
A graduate of Regent University with a degree in English Literature and a special interest in Old Norse literature, dive deeper into Sam's world and discover why she's your trusted guide in the realm of gift pens.
@John Pritchard We do have the Cross 0.7mm Rolleringball Refill in Blue and Black available: www.dayspringpens.com/products/gp-276-cross-brand-selectip-rollerball-refills-all
Refill 8521 should be compatible with the 0807.
Can you supply Cross Rollerball refils 0807 0.7mm and in if so in what colours .?
I’m looking for a fountain pen/rollerball pen. A refillable rollerball that I can swap cylinders with a fountain pen. I know they exist, but I’m having trouble tracking them down. I’m looking for them as gifts, for folks unfamiliar with fountain pens.
I have a very small pocket pen I have had for decades and it has run out of ink and I am trying to locate a refill. The refill in it says Foray and T C Roll Swiss Tip. It looks like a t-ball jotter refill but is only 2 1/4 inches long. I saw a Youtube video on refilling refills by twisting off the tip and injecting ink into the open tube, but I know some (all?) refills have a gel like material to keep the ink from drying out and I presume flowing out the end, and if that gel plug moves down as he ink is used up, I can see if I stuck an blunt needle in through the end where the rolling ball is, I could push the needle through the gel and squirt it behind the gel. I am a male and carry this in my pant’s pocket so it stays at body temperature all the time when I am our and about so would be warm and I can envision having ink flowing out the end of the refill with the little “teeth” on it. Have ya’ll ever run into anything like this, and any ideas on where I could find a refill or refill mine. The pen is really nice, with mother of pearl and is just under 3 1/2 inches long, but it is not anything I am attached to other than the convenience so if you know of companies that make a small pen like that to carry in a pocket, that would be good info to. Thanks.
14 Comments
@John Pritchard We do have the Cross 0.7mm Rolleringball Refill in Blue and Black available: www.dayspringpens.com/products/gp-276-cross-brand-selectip-rollerball-refills-all
Refill 8521 should be compatible with the 0807.
Can you supply Cross Rollerball refils 0807 0.7mm and in if so in what colours .?
I’m looking for a fountain pen/rollerball pen. A refillable rollerball that I can swap cylinders with a fountain pen. I know they exist, but I’m having trouble tracking them down. I’m looking for them as gifts, for folks unfamiliar with fountain pens.
I have a very small pocket pen I have had for decades and it has run out of ink and I am trying to locate a refill. The refill in it says Foray and T C Roll Swiss Tip. It looks like a t-ball jotter refill but is only 2 1/4 inches long. I saw a Youtube video on refilling refills by twisting off the tip and injecting ink into the open tube, but I know some (all?) refills have a gel like material to keep the ink from drying out and I presume flowing out the end, and if that gel plug moves down as he ink is used up, I can see if I stuck an blunt needle in through the end where the rolling ball is, I could push the needle through the gel and squirt it behind the gel. I am a male and carry this in my pant’s pocket so it stays at body temperature all the time when I am our and about so would be warm and I can envision having ink flowing out the end of the refill with the little “teeth” on it. Have ya’ll ever run into anything like this, and any ideas on where I could find a refill or refill mine. The pen is really nice, with mother of pearl and is just under 3 1/2 inches long, but it is not anything I am attached to other than the convenience so if you know of companies that make a small pen like that to carry in a pocket, that would be good info to. Thanks.