Famicom cartridge dimensions

This page documents the dimensions of common Famicom cartridges, including their cartridge shell and their corresponding PCB type. The source files are open-source and available on Github.

TODO: identify more cartridge shell forms

Famicom cartridge shell outline

Small cartridge form

HVC-TxROM

TODO: measure and publish dimensions

HVC-NROM/CNROM

TODO: measure and publish dimensions

Large cartridge form

HVC-ExROM

TODO: measure and publish dimensions

Miscellaneous cartridge forms

TODO: document and measure other forms

Famicom cartridge PCB outline

These outlines of different cartridge PCB types are based on the most space-filling variant, so that designers may choose to cut off unused portions that their designs may not need. Some outlines of cartridges with no maximally space filling PCB are thus modified to be such, with measurements being based on adjacent types made by the same producer.

Each cartridge type varies in how the 60 pin card edge is implemented. The pin pitch is 2.54mm, with 2 rows of 30 pads. Each pad may be uniform in dimensions, or slightly thicker and longer for power/ground.

HVC-TxROM

This outline is based on measurements from a HVC-TGROM-01 type cartridge PCB, compatible with any cartridge shell that supports any HVC-AxROM / FxROM / PxROM / SxROM / TxROM/ PCB or similar/bigger. These measurements are measured with vernier calipers with 1/128 inch accuracy. Note that this outline also details where the soldermask ends for the card edge.

Technical drawing of the outlines of an HVC-TGROM-01 type cartridge PCB.

Dimensions
Designator	Dimensions in mm (±0.5 mm)	Description
A	90.4875	Board width
A.1	78.58125	Card edge width
A.2	80.9625	Notched width
A.2.1	42.8625	Inset board width 1
A.2.2	32.40625	Inset board width 2
B	46.434375	Board height
B.1	23.217188	Inset board height 1
B.2	21.034375	Inset board height 2
B.3	10.31875	Card edge depth
C	1.2	Board thickness
D.1	2.38125	Card edge base to pad top
D.2	3.571875	Card edge base to soldermask keepout
D.3	7.14375	Power pad height
D.4	6.35	Signal pad height
E.1	0.873125	Power pad to card edge side
E.2	1.666875	Signal pad to card edge side
E.3	2.38125	Power pad width
E.4	1.5875	Signal pad width
E.5	0.9525	Space between pads
E.6	2.54	Pad spacing

HVC-ExROM

TODO: measure and publish dimensions

HVC-NROM/CNROM

This outline is based on measurements from a HVC-CNROM-256K-01 type cartridge PCB, augmented with dimensions from a HVC-TGROM-01 type PCB. This is compatible with any cartridge shell that supports any HVC-CNROM / GNROM / UNROM 01-05 / etc. PCB or similar/bigger. These measurements are measured with vernier calipers with 1/128 inch accuracy. Note that this outline also details where the soldermask ends for the card edge.

Technical drawing of the outlines of an augmented HVC-CNROM-256K-01 type cartridge PCB.

Dimensions
Designator	Dimensions in mm (±0.5 mm)	Description
A	90.4875	Board width
A.1	78.58125	Card edge width
A.2	68.2625	Notched width
A.2.1	31.75	Inset board width 1
A.2.2	26.590625	Inset board width 2
A.3	39.6875	Hole 1 to board edge
A.4	1/2 of A	Hole 2 to board edge
A.5	3.175	Hole 1 diameter
A.6	5.55625	Hole 2 diameter
B	46.434375	Board height
B.1	23.217188	Inset board height 1
B.2	21.034375	Inset board height 2
B.3	10.31875	Card edge depth
B.4	19.84375	Hole 1 center height
B.5	10.31875	Hole 2 center height
C	1.2	Board thickness
D.1	2.38125	Card edge base to pad top
D.2	3.571875	Card edge base to soldermask keepout
D.3	7.14375	Power pad height
D.4	6.35	Signal pad height
E.1	0.873125	Power pad to card edge side
E.2	1.666875	Signal pad to card edge side
E.3	2.38125	Power pad width
E.4	1.5875	Signal pad width
E.5	0.9525	Space between pads
E.6	2.54	Pad spacing