NES cartridge dimensions
This page documents the dimensions of most licensed NES cartridges, including their cartridge shell and their corresponding PCB type. The source files are open-source and available on Github.
TODO: measure and publish dimensions
This outline is based on measurements from a NES-EWROM-01 type cartridge PCB, segmented with cutouts of of other cartridge types. These measurements are measured with vernier calipers with 0.05 mm accuracy, Base measurements assume 0.05 mm grid. Note that this outline also details where the soldermask ends for the card edge.
Technical drawing of the outlines of an NES-EWROM-01 type cartridge PCB.
| Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Designator | Dimensions in mm (±0.05 mm) | Description |
| A | 100 | Board width |
| A.1 | 97 | Notched width |
| A.2 | 90 | Notched width |
| A.3 | 93.5 | Card edge width |
| A.4 | 50 | Tab width for cutout 2 |
| A.5 | 50 | Hole center to PCB edge for cutout 4 / 5 |
| A.6 | 44.5 | Hole center to PCB edge for cutout 4 / 5 |
| A.7 | 3 | Hole diameter for cutout 4 / 5 |
| A.8 | 5 | Hole diameter for cutout 4 / 5 |
| A.9 | 3.5 | Notched width |
| B.1 | 25.5 | Board height for cutout 1 |
| B.2 | 40.5 | Board height for cutout 2 |
| B.3 | 44.5 | Board height for cutout 3 |
| B.4 | 65.5 | Board height for cutout 4 |
| B.5 | 95.5 | Board height for cutout 5 |
| B.6 | 14.5 | Card edge depth |
| B.7 | 6 | Notch height |
| B.8 | 2.5 | Notch height |
| B.9 | 9 | Hole center to PCB edge for cutout 4 / 5 |
| B.10 | 18.5 | Hole center to PCB edge for cutout 4 / 5 |
| C | 1.2 | Board thickness |
| D.1 | 6.5 | Card edge base to front soldermask keepout |
| D.2 | 3.5 | Card edge base to back soldermask keepout |
| D.3 | 1.5 | Card edge base to pad top |
| D.4 | 12 | Card edge pad height |
| E.1 | 1 | Card edge to edge pad side |
| E.2 | 3 | Edge pad width |
| E.3 | 0.5 | Distance between pads |
| E.4 | 2 | Pad width |
| E.5 | 2.5 | Pad spacing |
An NES Game Pak label measures roughly 55x97 mm, with the top 7 mm of that in the fold-over. But actual printing will need a bit of extra space for the bleed area. Here’s a template showing the approximate size of a label for a standard NES cartridge.
acfrazier recommended printing cart labels on Avery 5164, Avery 5264, or Avery 8164 (4x3.33 in) labels.