What is the CHT file format?
Files with the .cht extension contain cheat codes for classic video games played through emulators. Originally popularised by ZSNES for the Super Nintendo, the format is also used by Project64 (Nintendo 64) and Snes9x, among others. .cht files store special instructions in the form of short codes, which allow modifying the gameplay by changing the parameters of characters or the world presented.
Although the architecture of consoles from over thirty years ago may seem completely outdated to many users, there is no lack of players who derive great satisfaction from battles fought in such old titles, especially since they can use the codes stored in .cht files. Launching games originally released for the Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, and similar classic platforms is enabled by emulators installed on modern computers, whose operation is based on creating a virtual environment closely resembling the original hardware. ROM images, created from original game media, are loaded in the emulator, allowing users to play many now-iconic titles.
.cht files are most often downloaded from the internet - from forums dedicated to a specific game or emulator. After naming the .cht file to match the loaded ROM image and placing it in the emulator's cheats directory, you can use the codes during gameplay. This allows you at any moment, for example, to restore the maximum number of lives for a character, move to the next level, or disable all opponents. Each entry pairs a description with one or more codes in Game Genie, GameShark, or raw memory-address format. Because syntax differs between emulators, a .cht file from ZSNES is not interchangeable with one for Project64.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWCHT files are plain text with no executable content - safe to open in a text editor. The cheat codes they contain modify game memory at runtime within the emulator, which is normal emulation functionality and poses no OS-level security risk. Only download .cht files from trusted emulation community sources.
Format details
in a nutshell- ChartViewer dBASE Interface File - Legacy dBASE database software used .cht for chart interface/template files; very rare today.
- HEX Workshop Template - HEX Workshop hex editor uses .cht for structure templates used during hex data analysis.
Programs that open CHT files
Windows4 apps
Project64
Open-source Place the .cht in Project64's cheats directory (named to match the ROM). Open Cheats in the emulator menu to enable individual codes. 
NotePad++ text editor
Open-source Open any .cht file in Notepad++ to view and edit cheat entries as plain text. 
ZSNES
Open-source ZSNES uses .cht for SNES cheat codes. Last released in 2007 - use Snes9x instead for active development. 
Snes9x
Open-source Active SNES emulator; supports .cht cheat files. Load cheats via the Cheats menu. 
macOS1 app
Linux2 apps
Project64 (via Wine / native)
Open-source Project64 can run under Wine on Linux; .cht cheat files work the same way. Technical details
deep spec| Encoding | Plain text (ASCII or UTF-8) |
| Structure | Named cheat entries pairing a human-readable description with one or more code values |
| Code formats | Game Genie, GameShark/Action Replay, and raw memory address+value pairs depending on emulator |
| Format compatibility | Emulator-specific; ZSNES and Project64 `.cht` syntax differ and files are not interchangeable |
| File naming convention | Must be named to match the ROM file (without extension) for automatic loading by the emulator |
| Storage location | Placed in the emulator's `cheats` subdirectory alongside or near the ROM library |
| Typical size | 1 KB - 50 KB |
| Primary emulator support | ZSNES (SNES/Super Nintendo), Project64 (Nintendo 64), Snes9x (SNES) |
| Activation | Individual cheats can be toggled on or off within the emulator's built-in cheat manager |
| Container | Plain text; no binary header or wrapper |
| Platform support | Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD (wherever ZSNES, Snes9x, or Project64 run) |
| MIME type | `text/plain` (no format-specific MIME type registered) |
| Released | mid-1990s (ZSNES era) |
CHT conversions
Community Q&A
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