How Much Are CO2 Cartridges? 2026

How much do CO2 cartridges cost?

Quick answer: how much are co2 cartridges depends on size, brand and pack quantity, but expect roughly $0.50–$3.00 per 12 g cartridge at retail, with bulk packs pushing the per-piece price toward the low end.

For a practical shopping baseline, single 12 g cartridges usually sell for about $1.00–$3.00 each when bought one at a time, while small multi-packs (10–25) often drop the effective price to $0.60–$1.40 each. Buying larger bulk packs (50+) or store bundles can push the cost down near $0.50 per cartridge if you buy the right brand at the right time.

A 12 g single-use cartridge is the most common item for airsoft pistols and low-volume shooters, and it’s what most people think of when they ask how much are co2 cartridges. Expect brand names to sit near the higher end of these ranges and generics or house brands to be at the lower end, with occasional quality trade-offs.

Larger cartridges like 16 g variants and 88 g cylinders cost more per unit but give many more shots, so typical retail for 16 g ranges from about $1.50–$4.00 each and for 88 g cylinders you’ll see $8–$20 each depending on whether they are single-use or refillable. You buy these larger sizes when you need longer run-time, fewer swaps, or a specific tool compatibility such as inflators or paintball markers.

Specialty options—threaded cartridges, nickel-plated finishes, and branded sealed units—carry a premium over plain steel cartridges. Plan on paying roughly 10–40% more for these extras, depending on the feature and the maker.

Typical cost-per-cartridge ranges & what to expect when buying 1 vs buying 50–100: a single cartridge purchase is convenient but expensive per unit, small multi-packs cut your price by a third or more, and bulk buys show the biggest savings if you use CO2 regularly. If you shoot a lot at fields or skirmishes, bulk pricing usually wins after you include travel and time costs.

Before you shop, sketch an easy two-column price snapshot you can fill in: Size → Typical single/pack/bulk price range. Also check local field stock and the product page for pack deals, for example a common 25-pack option is often the sweet spot for casual players.

Common sizes/types and what they’re used for

The most common sizes are 12 g, 16 g, and larger cylinders like 88 g, and each has clear use cases and cost implications. Knowing the type matters because it changes compatibility, shot count, and how you budget for ammo and maintenance.

12 g cartridges are the standard for most CO2-powered airsoft and BB pistols and many pellet pistols, and they are typically moderate in cost compared with larger cylinders. Performance-wise a 12 g cartridge will give far fewer shots than an 88 g cylinder, but it’s compact and inexpensive to carry as spares.

16 g and other small sizes show up in certain legacy guns or specialty pellet pistols and are a bit less common for modern airsoft play; expect similar or slightly higher per-unit pricing compared with 12 g. They are used when a specific gun or adapter calls for that size and when a slightly larger capacity than 12 g is useful without going to a full tank.

Large CO2 cylinders, such as 88 g single-use cans or refillable tanks, are common in paintball gear, some airguns, and inflator setups; these cost more up front but give many more shots and fewer swaps. For heavy users, the relative cost becomes lower per shot as the cylinder size goes up, but the initial purchase and possible adapter costs are higher.

Threaded cartridges and nickel-plated options improve serviceability and corrosion resistance and tend to cost more than plain steel, while refillable tanks require different investment and fittings. For compatibility, check the gun manual; many blowback pistols require 12 g unthreaded cartridges while some adapters allow threaded or larger sizes to be used.

As a rule: 12 g is cheap/moderate with low capacity, 16 g is moderate and niche, and 88 g is more expensive up front but offers the best run-time per fill; verify shot count and fit for your specific models before you buy in bulk.

What affects CO2 cartridge price (and how to compare real costs)

Several factors drive price differences: brand, coating and finish, pack size, wholesaler margins, and shipping rules all play a role. Familiar brands like Crosman or Umarex often charge more for consistent quality and tighter tolerances than no-name imports.

Coating and material matter: nickel-plated cartridges resist corrosion and can be easier on seals, which raises the price, while plain steel units are cheapest but can rust if stored poorly. Threaded cartridges add manufacturing complexity and typically command a premium for the added convenience on tanks or adapters.

Pack size and retailer type change the math quickly; bulk packs lower the per-piece price substantially but can come with higher shipping or hazmat fees online. Local stores might sell at a modest markup but avoid shipping surcharges, so check both channels when comparing total cost.

Shipping and hazmat handling can be a hidden cost, especially on larger orders or on sites that route cartridges through special carriers. Supply-and-demand swings—seasonal play, retailer restocks, or import delays—can create temporary price spikes, so watch sale cycles when planning large purchases.

Counterfeit or low-quality cartridges present safety and reliability risks, which might seem like a savings until seal failures or leaks cost you more. Practical comparison tip: always compare price-per-cartridge and price-per-shot where possible, and check a trusted cartridge selection when judging brand spreads and verified specs.

How long will a CO2 cartridge last—and how to calculate cost per shot

Shot count for a cartridge depends on many variables: cartridge size, the gun type (blowback vs non-blowback), BB vs pellet, firing pattern, power setting and ambient temperature. Seals, lubrication and gun condition also change how efficiently CO2 is used, so real-world numbers vary widely.

Use a simple formula to find cost-per-shot: cost-per-shot = cost-per-cartridge ÷ shots-per-cartridge. That number is the practical way to compare options across brands and sizes once you know how many shots your setup typically yields.

Example A — typical semi-auto blowback airsoft pistol on a 12 g cartridge: if a 12 g costs $1.20 and you get a conservative 30 shots, cost-per-shot = $1.20 ÷ 30 = $0.04 (4¢). If the same gun averages 50 shots your cost-per-shot drops to $0.024 (2.4¢), and at a high 70 shots it becomes about $0.017 (1.7¢).

Example B — efficient non-blowback BB/pellet gun on 12 g: using $1.20 per cartridge, 80 shots gives $0.015/shot, 120 shots is $0.01/shot, and 150 shots is roughly $0.008/shot. These higher shot counts show why non-blowback target pistols are cheaper to run per shot than full-power blowback setups.

Example C — larger CO2 cylinder (88 g) for a marker or airgun: if an 88 g cylinder costs $15 and yields 500 usable shots in your setup, cost-per-shot = $15 ÷ 500 = $0.03 (3¢). If that same cylinder gives 300 shots the cost is $0.05/shot and if it stretches to 800 shots the cost is $0.018/shot, so tank performance greatly affects the math.

Temperature and firing pattern matter: cold weather lowers gas pressure and shortens shot counts, and long full-auto strings cool a cartridge quickly and reduce output. For realistic testing, fire in short controlled strings to simulate field use, then test again with continuous fire if you plan to run a lot of full-auto shots.

Recommended testing protocol to gather first-party data: use a fresh cartridge, standard ambient temperature (about 68–72°F), and chrono or consistent target to judge when velocity drops by a set percentage (for example 10–15%). Count shots in controlled bursts with identical BBs and measuring conditions, then average across three runs to produce a reliable shots-per-cartridge figure you can use in the price-per-shot formula.

Copyable price-per-shot calculator: enter your cost-per-cartridge and measured shots-per-cartridge into the formula cost-per-shot = cost ÷ shots. Save those numbers before you bulk-buy so you know how much you’ll actually spend per outing and can compare CO2 to alternatives like green gas or HPA conversions.

Where to buy, how to save money, and essential safety/storage tips

Local airsoft and paintball shops are great for immediate pickup, compatibility checks and avoiding hazmat shipping, but they may charge a small premium for convenience. Big-box sporting goods stores and hardware chains sometimes offer competitive single-item deals if you don’t need bulk or online discounts.

Online marketplaces and specialty retailers often have the widest selection and best bulk pricing, but watch out for hazmat fees and carrier rules that can add cost on checkout. Club or field bulk buys and group orders are an excellent way to split hazmat shipping and lower per-piece cost when your crew uses CO2 regularly.

Save money by buying in bulk only if you will use the cartridges before long-term storage risks set in; calculate break-even including shipping and handling before committing. Local pickup options can eliminate hazmat surcharges, and comparing price-per-shot rather than sticker price usually surfaces the real bargain.

If you shoot heavily, consider alternatives: green gas for many pistols, HPA systems for high-volume fields, or rechargeable tank setups for airguns; each has higher up-front costs but lower long-term per-shot prices for heavy users. Run the math for your play frequency and decide if the initial investment pays off over a season or year of play.

Store cartridges in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and sunlight; do not leave in hot car. Do not incinerate or puncture cartridges unless empty and done safely; follow local recycling rules for metal.

Remove cartridges from a gun if storing the gun long-term (prevents seal damage). Use silicone-based lubricants approved for airsoft on seals; avoid petroleum solvents that degrade O-rings.

If a cartridge leaks during installation, stop, remove safely per the gun manual, inspect seals; don’t attempt to force a leaky cartridge. These steps protect your equipment and prevent accidents that can happen from mis-handled high-pressure gas cans.

Check local recycling guidance before you dispose of used steel cartridges, and consider a safe metal recycling center for bulk metal returns. When you shop, factor safety and disposal costs into the effective per-cartridge price so you’re not surprised by a sustainable cost component later.

For easy buying, compare per-cartridge and per-shot numbers, look for local pickup or club buys, and check your preferred retailer’s return and warranty policy before ordering; you can also browse local big-box selection for occasional deals. Armed with measured shot counts and the simple calculator above, you can shop and budget with confidence for your next skirmish or target session.