Where Does MAME Look for ROMs and Config?
MAME finds ROMs through rompath and INI files through inipath. The defaults on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
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MAME does not ask where ROMs are. It searches the folders listed in rompath. The default is a roms folder in the working directory, usually beside the MAME exe. Edit mame.ini or pass -rompath to change it.
Config files follow inipath. Windows checks the current folder, then ini. macOS checks ~/Library/Application Support/mame, then ~/.mame. Linux checks ~/.mame. Run mame -showconfig to dump the live values when in doubt.
Where MAME stores this, by platform
.\roms
Default rompath is roms beside the exe. Default inipath is current dir, then ini. Generate mame.ini with mame -createconfig and edit the CORE SEARCH PATH OPTIONS section.
~/.mame
Default inipath is ~/.mame, then current dir, then ini. Default rompath is still roms under the working directory unless mame.ini overrides it.
~/Library/Application Support/mame
Default inipath checks ~/Library/Application Support/mame first, then ~/.mame. ROM defaults match other platforms: a roms folder under the working directory.
Frequently asked questions
how do i set my mame rom folder
Run mame -createconfig to write a default mame.ini, then edit the rompath line. Separate multiple folders with semicolons. Save the file and MAME uses it on every launch.
do mame roms need to be unzipped
ROMs can stay zipped; MAME reads folders, then zip archives, then 7z in each rompath entry. It matches by checksum first, so correct dumps work even with odd filenames. Never unzip one archive inside another.
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