The correct Lamy AL-star refill depends on which version of the AL-star you own. The AL-star family includes ballpoint, rollerball, fountain pen, and mechanical pencil models, and each uses a different refill or writing system.
The Lamy AL-star Ballpoint uses the Lamy M16 ballpoint refill. The Lamy AL-star Rollerball uses the Lamy M63 rollerball refill. The Lamy AL-star Fountain Pen uses Lamy T10 ink cartridges or the Lamy Z28 converter for bottled ink. The Lamy AL-star Mechanical Pencil uses 0.5 mm Lamy M41 lead. LAMY confirms these refill systems for the current AL-star lineup.
This guide answers one main question: what refill does my Lamy AL-star take?
For a broader overview of Lamy pens and refill families, see our Lamy Pens & Refills Guide. You can also use the Pen Refill Finder to compare refill shapes, lengths, and compatible options.
Quick Answer: What Refill Does a Lamy AL-star Take?
| Lamy AL-star Version | Correct Refill / Cartridge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lamy AL-star Ballpoint | Lamy M16 Ballpoint Refill | Official AL-star ballpoint refill |
| Lamy AL-star Rollerball | Lamy M63 Rollerball Refill | Official refill for the capped AL-star rollerball |
| Lamy AL-star Fountain Pen | Lamy T10 Ink Cartridge or Lamy Z28 converter | T10 for cartridges; Z28 for bottled ink |
| Lamy AL-star Mechanical Pencil | Lamy M41 0.5 mm lead | Uses pencil lead, not an ink refill |
LAMY lists the AL-star ballpoint with the M16, the capped rollerball with the M63, the fountain pen with T10/Z28, and the mechanical pencil with 0.5 mm M41 lead.
Lamy AL-star Refill Chart
Use this chart as a quick reference before buying a replacement.
| Pen Model | Refill Type | Official Lamy Refill | Alternatives? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamy AL-star Ballpoint | Ballpoint | Lamy M16 | Limited; see Lamy M16 alternatives |
| Lamy AL-star Rollerball | Rollerball | Lamy M63 | Limited; see Lamy M63 alternatives |
| Lamy AL-star Fountain Pen | Fountain pen cartridge / converter | Lamy T10 or Lamy Z28 | Bottled ink with Z28 converter |
| Lamy AL-star Mechanical Pencil | Pencil lead | Lamy M41, 0.5 mm | Standard 0.5 mm lead options may be available |
The most important thing is to match the refill to the exact AL-star writing system.
Lamy AL-star Ballpoint Refill
The Lamy AL-star Ballpoint uses the Lamy M16 Ballpoint Refill. LAMY currently supplies the AL-star ballpoint with an M16 refill.
The M16 is a proprietary Lamy ballpoint format, so it is not the same as a Parker-style G2 refill, Pilot G2 refill, or standard rollerball refill.
Choose the Lamy M16 if:
- You have a Lamy AL-star Ballpoint
- You want the safest official replacement
- You are replacing the original AL-star ballpoint refill
- You want to avoid fit problems
- You prefer the standard Lamy refill system
If you want to explore other writing options, see our full guide to Lamy M16 refill alternatives.
Lamy AL-star Rollerball Refill
The Lamy AL-star Rollerball uses the Lamy M63 Rollerball Refill. LAMY specifies the M63 for capped rollerball pens and currently supplies the AL-star Rollerball with an M63.
This is different from both the M16 ballpoint refill and the M66 rollerball refill.
Choose the Lamy M63 if:
- You have a Lamy AL-star Rollerball
- Your pen is the capped rollerball version
- You want the official Lamy replacement
- You are replacing the original AL-star rollerball refill
- You want to avoid confusing the M63 with the M66
The M63 and M66 are both Lamy rollerball refills, but LAMY identifies the M63 for capped rollerballs and the M66 for most capless rollerballs.
For more detail, see our Lamy M63 vs M66 Refill Guide.
If you want non-official options, see our guide to Lamy M63 refill alternatives.
Lamy AL-star Fountain Pen Cartridge
The Lamy AL-star Fountain Pen uses Lamy T10 Ink Cartridges or the Lamy Z28 converter for bottled ink.
LAMY currently includes a T10 cartridge with the AL-star Fountain Pen and specifically recommends the Z28 converter for bottled ink.
Choose Lamy T10 cartridges if:
- You want the simplest refill method
- You prefer replacing cartridges instead of filling from a bottle
- You want the standard Lamy cartridge option
- You frequently change cartridges
Choose the Lamy Z28 converter if:
- You want to use bottled fountain pen ink
- You want more ink color choices
- You prefer refilling instead of replacing cartridges
- You want to use the AL-star as a traditional bottled-ink fountain pen
The T10 cartridge and Z28 converter are part of the fountain pen system. The AL-star Fountain Pen does not use M16, M63, or M66 refills.
Lamy AL-star Mechanical Pencil
The Lamy AL-star Mechanical Pencil uses 0.5 mm pencil lead, with LAMY specifying its M41 0.5 mm HB lead. LAMY also lists the Z18 eraser for the current AL-star mechanical pencil.
Choose 0.5 mm lead if:
- You have the Lamy AL-star Mechanical Pencil
- You are replacing the lead supplied with the pencil
- You want to maintain the correct lead diameter
Do not buy the M16, M63, T10, or another ink refill for the mechanical pencil version.
Are There Lamy AL-star Refill Alternatives?
There are some Lamy AL-star refill alternatives, but the answer depends on which Al-star version you have.
The AL-star Ballpoint uses the Lamy M16, so alternative options should be compared against the M16 format. This is a proprietary Lamy ballpoint refill, so alternatives are more limited than they are for common refill types like Parker-style G2. For more detail, see our full guide to Lamy M16 refill alternatives.
The AL-star Rollerball uses the Lamy M63. Like the M16, the M63 is a Lamy-specific refill format, so you should not assume standard rollerball refills will fit. For more detail, see our full guide to Lamy M63 refill alternatives.
The AL-star Fountain Pen uses Lamy T10 cartridges or a compatible Z28 Lamy converter. Alternatives usually involve choosing different fountain pen ink options, not replacing the pen with a ballpoint or rollerball refill.
The important distinction is this:
- The model guide you are reading now answers what refill does a Lamy AL-star take?
- The alternatives guides for the AL-star Ballpoint and Rollerball answer what can I use instead of the official Lamy refill?
Lamy AL-star vs Safari Refill Compatibility
One useful thing about the AL-star and Safari families is that corresponding versions use the same refill systems.
| Version | Lamy AL-star | Lamy Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Ballpoint | M16 | M16 |
| Rollerball | M63 | M63 |
| Fountain Pen | T10 / Z28 | T10 / Z28 |
| Mechanical Pencil | M41 0.5 mm | M41 0.5 mm |
That means the refill decision does not change simply because you move between a Safari and the corresponding AL-star model. The major difference between the families is the pen construction and design, not the refill family.
For the full Safari breakdown, see our Lamy Safari Refill Guide.
How to Check Which Lamy AL-star You Have
Before buying a Lamy AL-star refill, confirm which writing system you own.
| AL-star Version | How to Identify It | What It Takes |
|---|---|---|
| Ballpoint | Retractable ballpoint mechanism | Lamy M16 |
| Rollerball | Capped pen with rollerball tip | Lamy M63 |
| Fountain Pen | Visible fountain pen nib | Lamy T10 or Z28 converter |
| Mechanical Pencil | Uses lead rather than ink | M41 0.5 mm lead |
If you still are not sure, remove the existing refill, cartridge, or lead and compare the system to the options above.
You can also use the Pen Refill Finder to identify common refill shapes and sizes.
For a general introduction to how pen refill systems work, see Pen Refills 101.
Common Lamy AL-star Refill Mistakes
Assuming Every Lamy AL-star Uses the Same Refill
The AL-star is a family of writing instruments, not one refill system. The ballpoint, rollerball, fountain pen, and mechanical pencil versions all use different consumables.
Buying an M16 for an AL-star Rollerball
The Lamy M16 is the ballpoint refill. The AL-star Rollerball uses the M63.
Buying an M63 for an AL-star Ballpoint
The M63 is a rollerball refill. The AL-star Ballpoint uses the M16.
Confusing the M63 and M66
The Lamy M63 and M66 are both rollerball refills, but they serve different pen systems. The AL-star Rollerball uses the M63. For more detail, see Lamy M63 vs M66.
Buying the Wrong Fountain Pen Converter
The AL-star Fountain Pen uses the LAMY Z28 converter for bottled ink. LAMY specifically recommends the Z28 for the current AL-star Fountain Pen.
Buying 0.7 mm Lead for the AL-star Mechanical Pencil
The current AL-star Mechanical Pencil is designed around 0.5 mm lead, and LAMY supplies it with M41 0.5 mm HB lead.
FAQs
What refill does a Lamy AL-star Ballpoint take?
The Lamy AL-star Ballpoint uses the Lamy M16 ballpoint refill. LAMY supplies the current AL-star Ballpoint with an M16 refill.
What refill does a Lamy AL-star Rollerball take?
The Lamy AL-star Rollerball uses the Lamy M63 rollerball refill.
What cartridge does a Lamy AL-star Fountain Pen use?
The Lamy AL-star Fountain Pen uses Lamy T10 ink cartridges.
What converter does the Lamy AL-star use?
The Lamy AL-star Fountain Pen uses the LAMY Z28 converter for bottled ink.
What lead does a Lamy AL-star Mechanical Pencil use?
The Lamy AL-star Mechanical Pencil uses 0.5 mm lead. LAMY supplies it with M41 0.5 mm HB lead.
Does the Lamy AL-star take the M16 refill?
Yes, but only the Lamy AL-star Ballpoint uses the M16. The rollerball, fountain pen, and mechanical pencil versions use different systems.
Does the Lamy AL-star take the M63 refill?
Yes, but only the Lamy AL-star Rollerball uses the M63.
Does the Lamy AL-star use the same refills as the Lamy Safari?
Corresponding AL-star and Safari models use the same main refill systems: M16 for ballpoint, M63 for rollerball, T10/Z28 for fountain pen, and 0.5 mm M41 lead for the mechanical pencil.
Are there Lamy AL-star refill alternatives?
Yes, but the alternatives depend on the writing system. The AL-star Ballpoint uses M16-compatible options, while the AL-star Rollerball uses the M63 refill family. Start with the official refill first, then see our Lamy M16 refill alternatives or Lamy M63 refill alternatives guides for other options.
Are Lamy M16 and M63 refills interchangeable?
No. The M16 is a ballpoint refill, while the M63 is a rollerball refill.
Are Lamy M63 and M66 refills interchangeable?
They should not be treated as interchangeable. The AL-star Rollerball uses the M63. See our Lamy M63 vs M66 guide for a complete comparison.
Final Takeaway
The correct Lamy AL-star refill depends on which version you own.
- The Lamy AL-star Ballpoint uses the Lamy M16 Ballpoint Refill.
- The Lamy AL-star Rollerball uses the Lamy M63 Rollerball Refill.
- The Lamy AL-star Fountain Pen uses the Lamy T10 Ink Cartridge or the Lamy Z28 converter for bottled ink.
- The Lamy AL-star Mechanical Pencil uses 0.5 mm Lamy M41 lead.
Once you know which AL-star version you have, choose the official refill first and then explore alternatives if you want a different writing feel or refill option.
Related Lamy Refill Guides
- Lamy Pens & Refills Guide
- Lamy Safari Refill Guide
- Lamy M16 Refill Alternatives
- Lamy M63 Refill Alternatives
- Lamy M66 Refill Alternatives
- Lamy M63 vs M66
Related Refills
- Lamy M16 Ballpoint Refill
- Lamy M63 Rollerball Refill
- Lamy T10 Ink Cartridge
- Lamy Z28 Ink Converter
- Lamy M66 Rollerball Refill
- Lamy M21 Ballpoint Refill
- Lamy M22 Ballpoint Refill
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