--- title: "Pilot Hi-Tec-C vs G-Tec-C4: What Actually Differs" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-hi-tec-c-vs-g-tec-c4/" description: "Pilot Hi-Tec-C vs G-Tec-C4: one needle-tip gel pen under two names. Sizes by region, colors, refills (BLS-GC4), body, price in Japan, Europe and the US." category: "Pens" type: "Gel pen" published: 2026-10-24 updated: 2026-10-24 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 10 products: - name: "Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.4 mm (LH-20C4), Japan" brand: "Pilot" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Resin barrel and cap (Pilot); metal pipe tip" released: "1994" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Pilot Corporation (Japan)" model: "LH-20C4 (0.4 mm)" mpn: "LH-20C4-B" gtin: "4902505126321" url: "https://webcatalog.pilot.co.jp/products/DispDetail.do?volumeName=00004&itemID=t000100000892" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-hi-tec-c/" - name: "Pilot G-Tec-C4 0.4 mm (BL-GC4), Europe; G-TEC-C Ultra in the US" brand: "Pilot" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Plastic barrel and cap; tungsten carbide ball (Pilot France)" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Pilot Corporation (Japan)" model: "BL-GC4" mpn: "BL-GC4-B" gtin: "4902505139314" url: "https://pilotpen.fr/g-tec-c4-roller-encre-gel-pointe-extra-fine" --- # Pilot Hi-Tec-C vs G-Tec-C4: What Actually Differs > The Hi-Tec-C and G-Tec-C4 are the same Pilot needle-tip gel pen sold under two names: Hi-Tec-C in Japan, G-Tec-C4 in Europe and G-TEC-C in the US. Both write a 0.2 mm line from a 0.4 mm ball. Japan also sells 0.3 and 0.5 mm; Pilot France sells a BLS-GC4 refill, which Pilot Japan doesn't. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-hi-tec-c-vs-g-tec-c4/ - Category: Pens - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-24 - Updated: 2026-10-24 ![A capped Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.4 mm above a capped G-Tec-C4, both with clear bodies and black ink, drawn at 136 mm, with an inset of the shared 0.4 mm needle tip](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/pilot-hi-tec-c-vs-g-tec-c4-16x9.png) *One pen, two labels: the Hi-Tec-C drawn to scale from Pilot Japan's 136 mm.* Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.4 mm (LH-20C4), Japan | Pilot (by Pilot Corporation (Japan)) | Japan | Japan | Resin barrel and cap (Pilot); metal pipe tip | 1994 | $: under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | | Pilot G-Tec-C4 0.4 mm (BL-GC4), Europe; G-TEC-C Ultra in the US | Pilot (by Pilot Corporation (Japan)) | Japan | Japan | Plastic barrel and cap; tungsten carbide ball (Pilot France) | – | $: under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | - Made in (Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.4 mm (LH-20C4), Japan): Japan. Unsharpen lists Japan as the country of origin. Pilot's Japanese catalog pages for LH-20C3, LH-20C4 and LH-20C5 (read in full on October 20, 2026) don't state a country of manufacture. Simple Paper, which earlier listed Japan, blocked our access on that date. Source: https://unsharpen.com/pen/pilot-hi-tec-c/ - Made in (Pilot G-Tec-C4 0.4 mm (BL-GC4), Europe; G-TEC-C Ultra in the US): Japan. OnTime Supplies' spec sheet for the US G-TEC-C Ultra 5-pack (35480) gives JP as the country of origin. Pilot France's G-Tec-C4 page (read October 24, 2026) doesn't state one. Source: https://www.ontimesupplies.com/pil35480-g-tec-c-ultra-gel-pen-stick-extra-fine-04-mm-assorted-ink-colors-clear-barrel-5-pack.html ## Key takeaways - Pilot Japan's LH-20C4 and Pilot France's G-Tec-C4 both list a 0.4 mm ball writing a 0.2 mm line, with water-based biopolymer gel ink. - Japan's catalog has three sizes (0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 mm); the export pen is 0.4 mm only in every European and US listing we found. - Pilot France sells the G-Tec-C4 in 10 ink colours at €3.32 (about US$3.70); Pilot Japan lists 3 colours for the 0.4 mm at ¥220 (about US$1.40). - Pilot Japan offers no Hi-Tec-C refill, while Pilot France lists the G-Tec-C4 as refillable with the BLS-GC4 refill. - Both cost under $5 per pen in the US, our $ band, and a US spec sheet gives Japan as the country of origin. ## What's the difference between the Hi-Tec-C and the G-Tec-C4? **Mostly the name and what each region sells: the pen, tip and ink are the same.** Pilot Japan's catalog lists the 0.4 mm [Pilot Hi-Tec-C](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-hi-tec-c/) (LH-20C4) with a 0.4 mm ball, a 0.2 mm line and water-based biopolymer ink. Pilot France lists the G-Tec-C4 with the same 0.4 mm ball and 0.2 mm line, and calls it Pilot's extra-fine Hi-Tec point with biopolymer gel ink. People search "hi tec c vs g tec c" because one pen carries three names. It's the Hi-Tec-C in Japan, the G-Tec-C4 in Europe, and the G-Tec-C or G-TEC-C Ultra on US shelves. Cult Pens puts it plainly: in Europe the G-Tec-C name is used instead of Hi-Tec-C, "but they're the same thing". ## How do the specs compare? **Line, ink and tip match; sizes, colour count, refills and price differ.** | | Hi-Tec-C (Japan) | G-Tec-C4 (Europe) / G-TEC-C Ultra (US) | |---|---|---| | Model | LH-20C3, LH-20C4, LH-20C5 | BL-GC4 (Europe); 35491, 35480 (US packs) | | Ball sizes | 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 mm | 0.4 mm | | Line width, 0.4 mm | 0.2 mm (Pilot Japan) | 0.2 mm (Pilot France) | | Ink | Water-based biopolymer gel | Biopolymer gel (Pilot France) | | Ball | Not stated | Tungsten carbide (Pilot France) | | Body | Capped, clear resin barrel and cap | Capped, clear barrel with a textured grip | | Size and weight | 136 mm (5.4 in), 10.2 g | Not published | | Ink colours, 0.4 mm | 3 in Pilot's catalog (black, red, blue) | 10 at Pilot France; 5 in the US 5-pack | | Refill | None offered (Pilot Japan) | BLS-GC4 (Pilot France) | | List price | ¥220 (about US$1.40) | €3.32 (about US$3.70), Pilot France | | Price band (US) | $ (under $5) | $ (under $5) | ![Hi-Tec-C and G-Tec-C4 ball sizes at 200 times: Japan sells 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 mm, plus 0.25 mm from stock; the G-Tec-C4 is 0.4 mm only](https://stationerytimes.com/images/pilot-hi-tec-c-vs-g-tec-c4-sizes.svg) *Japan's Hi-Tec-C range against the export pen's single 0.4 mm size, drawn at 200×.* ## Which tip sizes can you buy in each region? **Japan sells three sizes; the export pen is 0.4 mm only.** Pilot Japan's catalog lists the 0.3 mm (LH-20C3), 0.4 mm (LH-20C4) and 0.5 mm (LH-20C5). The famous 0.25 mm (LH-20C25) has left that catalog but is still sold from stock, as our [discontinued pens list](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/discontinued-pens/) explains. Pilot France sells only the G-Tec-C4, and every US listing we found is 0.4 mm, from Staples' 5-pack to OfficeCrave's black dozen. If you want 0.3 or 0.5 mm, buy the Japanese pen from an importer. ## Do the bodies and colours differ? **The bodies look the same in Pilot's current photos; the colour ranges don't.** Pilot Japan's and Pilot France's photos both show a clear barrel and a clear cap with a white label printed with the name and an ink-colour dot. The labels read HI-TEC-C and G-TEC-C4. Staples describes the US pen's clear barrel with a textured grip. Colour choice changes by market. Pilot France offers 10 inks: black, blue, red, green, violet, pink, orange, yellow, brown and turquoise blue, matching Cult Pens' count of 10. Pilot Japan's catalog now lists just black, red and blue for the 0.4 mm. The US 5-pack (35480) holds black, blue, red, green and purple. ## Can you refill them, and do the parts interchange? **Pilot France sells a refill for the G-Tec-C4; Pilot Japan sells none for the Hi-Tec-C.** Pilot France lists the G-Tec-C4 as refillable and names the BLS-GC4 refill at €1.92 (about US$2.20). Pilot Japan's LH-20C4 page says plainly that it offers no replacement refill. US listings disagree with Pilot France: OnTime Supplies' spec sheet for the 35480 5-pack says "Refillable: No". On interchange, Unsharpen says the stick Hi-Tec-C, G-Tec and Maica share one standard refill, 11.6 cm long. A BLS-GC4 should therefore fit a 0.4 mm Hi-Tec-C, but Pilot doesn't say so. The [Hi-Tec-C Coleto](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-hi-tec-c-coleto/) multi pen uses a different refill. ## How much do they cost? **Both fall in our $ band in the US, under $5 per pen.** In its home market the Hi-Tec-C is cheaper: Pilot Japan's list price is ¥220 (about US$1.40) including tax. Pilot France sells the G-Tec-C4 at €3.32 (about US$3.70). US shops sell the G-TEC-C Ultra mostly in packs, such as the black dozen (35491) and the assorted 5-pack (35480). Imported Hi-Tec-C pens cost more per pen than at Japanese list price, but still stay under $5. ## Which should you buy? **Buy the Hi-Tec-C for size choice, the G-Tec-C4 for refills and colours in Europe.** - **Hi-Tec-C (import):** the only way to get 0.3 or 0.5 mm, plus 0.25 mm while stock lasts. Choose it for planners and tiny handwriting. - **G-Tec-C4 / G-TEC-C Ultra:** easier to find in office shops, with 10 colours and a refill in Europe. It's the same line on paper. If the needle tip skips for you, a capped [Pentel Slicci](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pentel-slicci/) or a cone-tip pen from our [best gel pens](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-gel-pens/) roundup may suit you better. ## Where are they made? **Japan, per the retailer spec sheets we found.** OnTime Supplies gives JP as the country of origin for the US 5-pack, and Unsharpen lists Japan for the Hi-Tec-C. Pilot Japan's and Pilot France's product pages don't state a country. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is the G-Tec-C4 just the Hi-Tec-C with a different name? Yes, in all the specs that matter. Pilot Japan and Pilot France list the same 0.4 mm ball, 0.2 mm line and biopolymer gel ink; the differences are the name on the cap, the sizes and colours sold in each region, and refills. ### What does the 4 in G-Tec-C4 mean? The 0.4 mm ball. Pilot's Japanese codes work the same way: LH-20C3 is the 0.3 mm, LH-20C4 the 0.4 mm and LH-20C5 the 0.5 mm Hi-Tec-C. ### Can I get a 0.3 mm G-Tec-C? Not as a G-Tec-C in the European and US listings we found, which are all 0.4 mm. For 0.3 mm, buy the Japanese Hi-Tec-C LH-20C3 from an importer such as JetPens. ### Does a G-Tec-C4 refill fit the Hi-Tec-C? Unsharpen says the stick Hi-Tec-C, G-Tec and Maica pens share one standard refill, so a 0.4 mm BLS-GC4 should fit a 0.4 mm Hi-Tec-C. Pilot itself doesn't state this, and Pilot Japan sells no Hi-Tec-C refill. ### Why is the G-TEC-C called Ultra in the US? It's the US retail name. Staples and OnTime Supplies sell the 0.4 mm pen as the Pilot G-Tec-C or G-TEC-C Ultra Gel Pen, for example the assorted 5-pack 35480. ### Which is cheaper, the Hi-Tec-C or the G-Tec-C4? At list price in its home market, the Hi-Tec-C: Pilot Japan lists it at ¥220 (about US$1.40), while Pilot France sells the G-Tec-C4 at €3.32 (about US$3.70). In US shops both sit in our $ band, under $5 per pen. ### Is either pen made in the USA? No. OnTime Supplies gives Japan as the country of origin for the US G-TEC-C Ultra, and Unsharpen lists Japan for the Hi-Tec-C. ## Sources - [パイロット ウェブカタログ「ハイテックC04」LH-20C4-B (Pilot Japan: 0.4 mm ball, 0.2 mm line, cap type, biopolymer ink, 136 mm, 10.2 g, no refill, ¥220, black/red/blue; read October 24, 2026)](https://webcatalog.pilot.co.jp/products/DispDetail.do?volumeName=00004&itemID=t000100000892) - [パイロット ウェブカタログ「ハイテックC03」LH-20C3-B (Pilot Japan: 0.3 mm)](https://webcatalog.pilot.co.jp/products/DispDetail.do?volumeName=00004&itemID=t000100000889) - [パイロット ウェブカタログ「ハイテック05」LH-20C5-B (Pilot Japan: 0.5 mm)](https://webcatalog.pilot.co.jp/products/DispDetail.do?volumeName=00004&itemID=t000100000895) - [Pilot France: G-Tec-C4 roller encre gel pointe extra fine (0.4 mm, 0.2 mm line, refillable, refill BLS-GC4, 10 colours, €3.32; read October 24, 2026)](https://pilotpen.fr/g-tec-c4-roller-encre-gel-pointe-extra-fine) - [Staples: Pilot G-Tec-C Gel Pens, Ultra Fine Point, Assorted Ink, 5/Pack (35480)](https://www.staples.com/Pilot-G-Tec-C-Gel-Ink-Rolling-Ball-Stick-Pens-Ultra-Fine-Point-Assorted-5-Pack-35480/product_897551) - [OnTime Supplies: Pilot G-TEC-C Ultra Gel Pen 0.4 mm, 5/Pack (35480; UPC, refillable No, country of origin JP)](https://www.ontimesupplies.com/pil35480-g-tec-c-ultra-gel-pen-stick-extra-fine-04-mm-assorted-ink-colors-clear-barrel-5-pack.html) - [OfficeCrave: Pilot G-TEC-C Ultra Gel Pen, 0.4 mm, black, dozen (35491)](https://www.officecrave.com/pilot-35491.html) - [Cult Pens: Pilot G-Tec-C4 and Hi-Tec-C (G-Tec-C name used in Europe; 10 ink colours)](https://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Pilot_GTecC4_Rollerball.html) - [Unsharpen: Pilot Hi-Tec-C gel pen refill (fits stick Hi-Tec-C, G-Tec and Maica; 11.6 cm)](https://unsharpen.com/refill/pilot-hi-tec-c-gel-pen-refill/) - [Unsharpen: Pilot Hi-Tec-C (country of origin Japan)](https://unsharpen.com/pen/pilot-hi-tec-c/)