Frigidaire has used at least four different water filter designs over the years, and they do not interchange. That is why the number one Frigidaire filter mistake is buying by brand instead of by part number. This guide shows you how to identify the exact Frigidaire water filter your refrigerator takes, walks through the three filters that cover most Frigidaire fridges in service today (ULTRAWF, WF3CB, and EPTWFU01), and gets you to the right cartridge the first time.

Written by the Water Filters FAST filter experts. Reviewed by Phil McNamara, owner, Water Filters FAST. Updated July 2026.

Two minutes of checking now beats a return label next week. Here is the fast way to do it.

Step one: find your filter's part number, not your fridge's brand

The most reliable identifier is printed on the filter already in your refrigerator. Pull the current filter and read the label on the housing. Frigidaire filters carry the part number right on the cartridge. If the old filter is long gone, or its label has faded past reading, use your refrigerator's model number instead. It is on a sticker inside the fresh food compartment, usually on the ceiling or a side wall (that sticker can fade too; a phone flashlight and a photo help). With that model number, the product listing or the support team can confirm the match before you spend a dollar.

Skip this step and you are guessing. Frigidaire's filters look similar in photos, but a WF3CB will not seat in a fridge built for the ULTRAWF, and forcing the wrong cartridge is the fastest way to a leak.

The three filters that cover most Frigidaire refrigerators

ULTRAWF (PureSource Ultra)

The ULTRAWF is the workhorse of the lineup. It serves a wide range of Frigidaire and Frigidaire Gallery French-door and side-by-side models built from about 2009 onward. It is a slide-in cassette style cartridge that typically lives in the upper right corner of the fresh food compartment. Owners of a Gallery French-door from the last fifteen years or so should start here: a cassette that slides into a housing inside the fridge, rather than the base grille, points straight at the ULTRAWF.

WF3CB (PureSource3)

A cylindrical push-in cartridge: a round canister that pushes straight in and releases with a push or a quarter turn. The WF3CB serves many Frigidaire side-by-side models from roughly 2009 forward, mounting in the front base grille or inside the fresh food compartment depending on the model.

EPTWFU01 (PureSource Ultra II)

The EPTWFU01 is Frigidaire's newer design. Used in Frigidaire and Frigidaire Gallery models from roughly 2017 onward, it twists into a housing inside the fresh food compartment with a quarter turn. A filter that rotates to lock, rather than sliding or pushing in, usually means the EPTWFU01. One caution: this filter is a frequent target for poorly made knockoffs, so buy from a source that stands behind the fit. Our guide to OEM vs aftermarket refrigerator filters explains exactly what to check on a compatible cartridge before you trust it.

Older models: WF2CB and WFCB

Frigidaire refrigerators from the early 2000s and before often take the WF2CB (PureSource2) or the original WFCB. Both are still available. If your fridge has been running since before smartphones, do not assume it takes a current filter. Match the old part number exactly.

Quick reference: which Frigidaire filter fits what

Years are general guides, not guarantees. Frigidaire moved designs between product lines gradually, which is exactly why the part number on your current filter, or your fridge's model number, settles the question in a way a chart never can.

How often to replace a Frigidaire water filter

Frigidaire's guidance is the industry standard: every 6 months under normal use. Households that run a lot of ice and drinking water through the door, or that sit on harder or heavily sedimented supply lines, hit the useful end of the cartridge sooner. Slow dispensing, gray or cloudy first glasses, or a taste that drifts back toward plain tap water are the signals to swap early. The full logic on timing, including when to break the 6-month rule, is in our guide on how often to replace a refrigerator water filter.

Replacing the filter: what to expect

1. Match the part number using the steps above. Everything after this is easy.
2. Remove the old filter. Slide-out cassettes (ULTRAWF) pull forward with a release; push-in canisters (WF3CB) release with a push or quarter turn; twist-in cartridges (EPTWFU01) rotate a quarter turn and pull free. Keep a towel handy for a few drops of water.
3. Seat the new filter the same way the old one came out, until it locks or seats flush.
4. Flush the new cartridge. Run 2 to 3 gallons of water through the dispenser to clear carbon fines and purge air. Sputtering and gray water in the first few glasses is normal and passes quickly.
5. Reset the filter indicator light so the fridge starts its 6-month countdown fresh. The button label and hold time vary by model; on many Frigidaire panels it is a press-and-hold on Reset, and the owner's manual confirms yours.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the same Frigidaire filter as my neighbor's Frigidaire?

Only if both refrigerators take the same part number. Frigidaire has used several incompatible filter designs across its lineup, so brand alone tells you nothing. Match the part number on your current cartridge or your fridge's model number.

Is the ULTRAWF the same as the EPTWFU01?

No. The ULTRAWF is a slide-in cassette used in models from about 2009 onward, overlapping the EPTWFU01 on newer lines; the EPTWFU01 is a quarter-turn twist-in used in models from about 2017 forward. They are not interchangeable, and neither swaps with the WF3CB.

Where is the water filter on a Frigidaire refrigerator?

Most current models house it inside the fresh food compartment, often in the upper right corner or in a housing along the back or side wall. Some side-by-side models mount it in the front base grille. Your owner's manual or a quick look for a labeled housing will confirm it.

Do I have to buy the Frigidaire-branded filter?

A well-made compatible filter built to the same specification fits the same housing and does the same job, usually for less. The key is verifying the compatible cartridge lists your part number and carries testing to a recognized standard such as NSF/ANSI 42 for chlorine taste and odor. Our OEM vs aftermarket guide shows exactly what to check.

Why is my water cloudy after installing a new filter?

Air and harmless carbon fines from the new cartridge. Flush 2 to 3 gallons through the dispenser and it clears. If cloudiness persists well beyond that, double-check that the filter seated fully.

Get the right Frigidaire filter, shipped today

Once you have your part number, the rest is easy. Browse refrigerator water filters to find the ULTRAWF, WF3CB, EPTWFU01, and older Frigidaire cartridges, including compatible options. Weekday orders placed before 1pm CST ship the same day, shipping is free over $75, and every order is backed by a 30-day return policy. Not sure which filter your model takes? Call the filter experts at 855-789-FAST with your fridge's model number and they will confirm the match before you buy.