Compressed PlayStation Portable UMD disc image format for PSP game data
File type: Archive and compressed file
DAX is a compressed disc-image format developed for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). It stores data from a PSP UMD image in a smaller file than an uncompressed ISO, reducing storage requirements on memory cards and computer drives.
Found 2 different file type records with the same dax filename suffix.
File type category:
Archive and compressed file
Date updated: August 2, 2026
A DAX image contains a compressed representation of a PSP UMD disc image. It was designed as a space-saving alternative to the standard PSP ISO format and became associated with early PSP homebrew and custom-firmware software. Compression is generally applied to disc-image sectors using a zlib-based method.
DAX files can use configurable compression settings, but the format is less widely supported than ISO and CSO. Some PSP utilities also support splitting or joining image files to accommodate storage limitations on older memory cards.
On a physical PSP, a DAX image normally requires compatible custom firmware, a homebrew loader, or a supporting plugin. Modern emulators may not recognize DAX directly, and PPSSPP generally provides better compatibility with ISO, CSO, and other commonly supported image formats. Converting an unsupported DAX image may therefore be necessary.
PSP ISO Compressor, DAX Creator, and similar PSP image utilities were primarily distributed for Windows. Native DAX software for macOS and Linux is less common; users can try a compatible emulator or command-line tool, run a Windows utility through Wine, or convert the image to ISO or CSO. PSP images should be created only from game media the user owns and is permitted to copy.
On Windows, try opening the image with a legacy PSP utility such as PSP ISO Compressor or DAX Creator. You may also test it with PPSSPP, although DAX support depends on the emulator version. If supported, place the image in a directory scanned by PPSSPP and select it from the games list.
On a physical PSP, copy the image to the appropriate ISO directory and use a compatible custom-firmware loader. macOS and Linux users can try PPSSPP, run a Windows DAX utility with Wine, or convert the image to ISO or CSO first. If no application recognizes the file, it may be corrupt or use an unsupported DAX variant.
Use PSP ISO Compressor, DAX Creator, or another compatible PSP image utility to convert between DAX, ISO, and CSO. Select the source image, choose the destination format and compression level, and start the conversion. Converting DAX to an uncompressed ISO usually provides the broadest compatibility, while CSO preserves compression and is more widely supported by PSP software and emulators.
Online conversion services are generally impractical for DAX images because PSP disc images can be very large and may contain copyrighted game data. A desktop converter is safer and more reliable. Test the converted image in PPSSPP or on compatible PSP hardware before removing the original.
Software applications that can open dax files:
Microsoft Windows
Software applications that can edit dax files:
Microsoft Windows
Software capable of saving dax files:
Microsoft Windows
Apps designed for playing dax files:
Multiplatform
Software apps that create dax files:
Microsoft Windows
Software apps that import dax files:
Multiplatform
Software apps that extract dax files:
Microsoft Windows
File type category:
Settings, options, themes or skins file
Date updated: August 26, 2019
The dax file extension is also related to theme (skin) files used in OrangeCD digital audio cataloging system for Windows.
The dax file is used to customize the graphic design of the program.
Use OrangeCD to work with *.dax files.
Probably cannot be converted to anything else.
Software apps that manage or store settings in dax files:
Microsoft Windows
Software applications that handle other tasks involving dax files:
Microsoft Windows
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