.rom — ROM Image
A dump of the read-only memory from a game cartridge or arcade board, played back through emulator software.
ROM images are frequently distributed without the copyright holder's permission — downloading them may be illegal in your jurisdiction even if you own the original cartridge. As with any downloaded file, scan it before running it in an emulator.
Check another filename
File extension lookup
Frequently asked questions
What is a .rom file?
A dump of the read-only memory from a game cartridge or arcade board, played back through emulator software.
Can I edit a .rom file?
Not directly as text — .rom is a runnable or packaged format, not one meant for manual editing.
Does having a .rom extension mean the file is safe?
No single extension can guarantee that. ROM images are frequently distributed without the copyright holder's permission — downloading them may be illegal in your jurisdiction even if you own the original cartridge. As with any downloaded file, scan it before running it in an emulator. Always consider where the file came from, not just its name.