The correct Lamy Safari refill depends on which version of the Lamy Safari you own. The Safari family includes ballpoint, rollerball, fountain pen, and mechanical pencil models, and they do not all use the same refill.
The Lamy Safari Ballpoint uses the Lamy M16 ballpoint refill. The Lamy Safari Rollerball uses the Lamy M63 rollerball refill. The Lamy Safari Fountain Pen uses Lamy T10 ink cartridges or a Lamy Z28 converter for bottled ink. The Lamy Safari Mechanical Pencil uses pencil lead, not a pen refill.
This guide is designed to help you answer one simple question: what refill does my Lamy Safari 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 Safari Take?
The Lamy Safari refill you need depends on the writing mode:
| Lamy Safari Version | Correct Refill / Cartridge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lamy Safari Ballpoint | Lamy M16 Ballpoint Refill | Official refill for Safari ballpoint pens |
| Lamy Safari Rollerball | Lamy M63 Rollerball Refill | Official refill for Safari rollerball pens |
| Lamy Safari Fountain Pen | Lamy T10 Ink Cartridge or Lamy Z28 Converter | Cartridge/converter fountain pen system |
| Lamy Safari Mechanical Pencil | Pencil lead | Uses pencil lead, not a pen refill |
If you are looking for refill alternatives, start by identifying which Safari version you have. A Lamy Safari ballpoint refill and a Lamy Safari rollerball refill are not interchangeable.
Lamy Safari Refill Chart
Use this chart as a quick reference before buying a replacement refill.
| Pen Model | Refill Type | Official Lamy Refill | Alternative Options? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamy Safari Ballpoint | Ballpoint refill | Lamy M16 | Limited; see Lamy M16 alternatives |
| Lamy Safari Rollerball | Rollerball refill | Lamy M63 | Limited; see Lamy M63 alternatives |
| Lamy Safari Fountain Pen | Fountain pen ink cartridge / converter | Lamy T10 / Lamy Z28 | Bottled ink with the Lamy Z28 Converter |
| Lamy Safari Mechanical Pencil | Pencil lead | N/A | Uses lead, not ink refills |
The most important thing is to match the refill to the exact Safari version. The ballpoint, rollerball, and fountain pen versions are different writing instruments with different refill systems.
Lamy Safari Ballpoint Refill
The Lamy Safari Ballpoint uses the Lamy M16 Ballpoint Refill, or the Lamy M17 Ballpoint Refill.
This is the standard refill to buy if you have a click-action or ballpoint version of the Lamy Safari. The Lamy M16/M17 is a proprietary Lamy ballpoint refill, which means it is not the same as a Parker-style G2 refill, Pilot G2 refill, or standard rollerball refill.
Choose the Lamy M16 or M17 if:
- You have a Lamy Safari Ballpoint
- Your pen uses a ballpoint refill
- You want the safest official replacement
- You want to avoid fit issues
- You are replacing the original refill that came in a Safari ballpoint pen
The main thing to know is that the Lamy M16 refill is its own Lamy refill format. If you are trying to use a different refill instead, see our full guide to Lamy M16 refill alternatives.
Lamy Safari Rollerball Refill
The Lamy Safari Rollerball uses the Lamy M63 Rollerball Refill.
This is different from the Lamy M16 ballpoint refill. It is also different from the Lamy M66 rollerball refill used in some other Lamy rollerball pens.
Choose the Lamy M63 if:
- You have a Lamy Safari Rollerball
- Your pen has a capped rollerball body
- You want the official Lamy rollerball refill
- You are replacing the refill that came in a Safari rollerball
- You want to avoid confusing the M63 with the M66
The Lamy Safari Rollerball is one of the key reasons Lamy refill compatibility can get confusing. The Safari Rollerball uses the Lamy M63, while some other Lamy rollerball pens use the Lamy M66.
For a deeper comparison, see our guide to Lamy M63 vs M66.
If you want to explore non-official options, see our full guide to Lamy M63 refill alternatives.
Lamy Safari Fountain Pen Cartridge
The Lamy Safari Fountain Pen does not use a ballpoint or rollerball refill. It uses the Lamy T10 Ink Cartridge or the Lamy Z28 Converter for bottled ink.
Choose Lamy T10 cartridges if:
- You have a Lamy Safari Fountain Pen
- You want a simple cartridge replacement
- You prefer swapping cartridges instead of filling from bottled ink
- You want the standard Lamy cartridge option
Choose the Lamy Z28 converter if:
- You have a Lamy Safari Fountain Pen
- You want to use bottled fountain pen ink
- You want more ink color options
- You prefer refilling the pen instead of replacing cartridges
A fountain pen cartridge or converter is not the same as a pen refill. The Lamy T10 cartridge holds fountain pen ink, while the Z28 converter lets you draw bottled ink into the pen. That is why a Lamy Safari Fountain Pen cannot use the Lamy M16, Lamy M63, or Lamy M66.
Lamy Safari Mechanical Pencil Note
The Lamy Safari Mechanical Pencil uses 0.5 mm pencil lead, specifically the Lamy M41 0.5 mm lead refill. It does not use a pen refill, ink cartridge, or converter.
That means it does not use the Lamy M16, Lamy M63, Lamy M66, or Lamy T10. If you have the mechanical pencil version, you need the correct pencil lead size for your specific Safari pencil model.
This guide focuses mainly on ink refills and cartridges, but it is worth calling out the mechanical pencil separately because it is part of the broader Safari family.
Are There Lamy Safari Refill Alternatives?
There are some Lamy Safari refill alternatives, but the answer depends on which Safari version you have.
The Safari 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 Safari 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 Safari Fountain Pen uses Lamy T10 cartridges or a compatible 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 Safari take?
- The alternatives guides answer what can I use instead of the official Lamy refill?
How to Check Which Lamy Safari You Have
Before buying a Lamy Safari refill, confirm which version of the pen you own.
Use these clues:
| Safari Version | How to Identify It | Refill Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Ballpoint | Usually retractable; writes like a ballpoint pen | Lamy M16 |
| Rollerball | Usually capped; uses a rollerball refill | Lamy M63 |
| Fountain Pen | Has a nib; uses ink cartridges or converter | Lamy T10 or Lamy Z28 Converter |
| Mechanical Pencil | Uses pencil lead instead of ink | Pencil lead |
If you are unsure, remove the refill or cartridge from the pen and compare it to the refill currently listed for that model. Pay attention to the length, shape, tip, rear end, and whether the pen has a nib, cap, or retractable mechanism.
You can also use the Pen Refill Finder to compare common refill shapes and find the closest match.
For a general explanation of refill formats, see Pen Refills 101.
Common Lamy Safari Refill Mistakes
Assuming Every Lamy Safari Uses the Same Refill
The Lamy Safari family includes multiple writing instruments. The ballpoint, rollerball, fountain pen, and mechanical pencil versions do not use the same refill.
Buying a Lamy M16 for a Safari Rollerball
The Lamy M16 is for the Lamy Safari Ballpoint. The Safari Rollerball uses the Lamy M63.
Buying a Lamy M63 for a Safari Ballpoint
The Lamy M63 is for the Lamy Safari Rollerball. The Safari Ballpoint uses the Lamy M16.
Confusing the Lamy M63 and Lamy M66
The Lamy M63 and M66 are both Lamy rollerball refills, but they are not the same. The Safari Rollerball uses the M63. Some other Lamy rollerball pens use the M66.
For more detail, see Lamy M63 vs M66.
Assuming a Fountain Pen Uses a Rollerball Refill
The Lamy Safari Fountain Pen uses Lamy T10 ink cartridges or a compatible converter. It does not use the Lamy M16, M63, or M66.
Lamy Safari Refill: FAQs
What refill does a Lamy Safari Ballpoint take?
The Lamy Safari Ballpoint uses the Lamy M16 ballpoint refill. This is the official refill for the ballpoint version of the Safari.
What refill does a Lamy Safari Rollerball take?
The Lamy Safari Rollerball uses the Lamy M63 rollerball refill. It does not use the Lamy M16 ballpoint refill or the Lamy M66 rollerball refill.
What cartridge or converter does a Lamy Safari Fountain Pen use?
The Lamy Safari Fountain Pen uses Lamy T10 ink cartridges or the Lamy Z28 Converter for bottled ink. The T10 cartridge is the simple cartridge option, while the Z28 converter lets you use bottled fountain pen ink.
Does the Lamy Safari Mechanical Pencil use a refill?
The Lamy Safari Mechanical Pencil uses 0.5 mm pencil lead, specifically the Lamy M41 0.5 mm lead refill. It does not use a pen refill, ink cartridge, or converter.
Does the Lamy Safari take the Lamy M16 refill?
Yes, but only the Lamy Safari Ballpoint uses the Lamy M16 refill. The rollerball, fountain pen, and mechanical pencil versions use different systems.
Does the Lamy Safari take the Lamy M63 refill?
Yes, but only the Lamy Safari Rollerball uses the Lamy M63 refill. The Safari Ballpoint uses the Lamy M16, and the Safari Fountain Pen uses T10 cartridges or a converter.
Does the Lamy Safari use Lamy T10 cartridges?
Yes, the Lamy Safari Fountain Pen uses Lamy T10 ink cartridges. The Safari Ballpoint and Safari Rollerball do not use T10 cartridges.
Are there Lamy Safari refill alternatives?
Yes, but alternatives depend on which Safari version you have. The Lamy Safari Ballpoint uses the Lamy M16 refill, while the Lamy Safari Rollerball uses the Lamy M63 refill.
Start with the correct official refill first, then compare alternatives for that specific refill family. For the Safari Ballpoint, see our guide to Lamy M16 refill alternatives. For the Safari Rollerball, see our guide to Lamy M63 refill alternatives. You may also find our Lamy M66 alternative guide helpful if you are comparing other Lamy rollerball pens, but the Safari Rollerball uses the M63, not the M66.
Are Lamy M16 and Lamy M63 refills interchangeable?
No. The Lamy M16 and Lamy M63 are different refills. The M16 is for Lamy ballpoint pens, including the Safari Ballpoint. The M63 is for Lamy rollerball pens, including the Safari Rollerball.
Are Lamy M63 and M66 refills interchangeable?
No, they should not be treated as interchangeable. The Lamy Safari Rollerball uses the M63. Some other Lamy rollerball pens use the M66. See our Lamy M63 vs M66 guide for the full comparison.
Lamy Safari Refill: Final Takeaway
The correct Lamy Safari refill depends on which Safari version you own.
- The Lamy Safari Ballpoint uses the Lamy M16 Ballpoint Refill.
- The Lamy Safari Rollerball uses the Lamy M63 Rollerball Refill.
- The Lamy Safari Fountain Pen uses the Lamy T10 Ink Cartridge or the Lamy Z28 Converter for bottled ink.
- The Lamy Safari Mechanical Pencil uses Pencil Lead.
Once you know which Safari you have, you can choose the correct official refill first, then explore alternatives if needed.
Related Lamy Safari Refill Guides
- Lamy Pens & Refills Overview Guide
- Lamy M16 Refill Alternatives
- Lamy M63 Refill Alternatives
- Lamy M63 vs M66 Refill Guide: What’s the Difference?
- Lamy Ballpoint Refills Explained in Depth
Related Lamy Safari Refills
- Lamy M16 Ballpoint Refill
- Lamy M63 Rollerball Refill
- Lamy T10 Ink Cartridge
- Lamy Z28 Converter
- Lamy M66 Rollerball Refill
- Lamy M21 Ballpoint Refill
- Lamy M22 Ballpoint Refill
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