Abstract: The present invention provides an indicator and indicator cartridge that shows the amount of material on a roll. The roll preferably has at least one toothed sprocket, the indicator, and includes a rotatable rod which is rotated through engagement with the rotating roll. At one end of the rod, a pinion gear is fixed to engage the toothed sprocket. An indicator member is slidingly configured to engage the rod such that the rotation is at least partially converted to linear motion of the indicator member. The rod and the indicator member are preferably threaded. A reference point is included for showing the linear displacement of the indicator member relative to the rod.