Editing Static random-access memory (section)

{{Short description|Type of computer memory}}
{{Distinguish|text=[[synchronous dynamic random-access memory]] (SDRAM)}}

[[File:Hyundai RAM HY6116AP-10.jpg|thumb|alt=|A static RAM chip from a [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] clone (2K × 8&nbsp;bits)]]
{{Memory types}}

'''Static random-access memory''' ('''static RAM''' or '''SRAM''') is a type of [[random-access memory]] (RAM) that uses [[Flip-flop (electronics)|latching circuitry (flip-flop)]] to store each bit. SRAM is [[volatile memory]]; data is lost when power is removed.

The ''static'' qualifier differentiates SRAM from [[Dynamic random-access memory|''dynamic'' random-access memory]] (DRAM):
* SRAM will hold its data permanently in the presence of power, while data in DRAM decays in seconds and thus must be periodically [[memory refresh|refreshed]].  
* SRAM is faster than DRAM but it is more expensive in terms of silicon area and cost.
* Typically, SRAM is used for the [[CPU cache|cache]] and internal [[CPU register|registers]] of a [[CPU]] while DRAM is used for a computer's [[main memory]].