NYC restaurant grades explained: how A, B, and C scoring works
The grade in the window is just a number translated into a letter. Here is the translation.
NYC scores restaurants on points, where lower is better, then maps the score to a letter grade. Understanding the thresholds tells you exactly how much room you have.
The thresholds
- 0 to 13 points: Grade A.
- 14 to 27 points: Grade B.
- 28 or more points: Grade C.
Every violation carries a point value, and critical violations carry more. Your total on the inspection is what gets translated.
What Grade Pending means
Score 14 or more on your initial inspection and you do not post a B or C right away. You post a Grade Pending card and get a re-inspection, usually a few weeks later. If you fix the issues, the re-inspection can put you back at an A.
Initial vs re-inspection
The first inspection sets the baseline. If you miss the A, the re-inspection is your real shot at the letter that goes in the window. The points from the re-inspection are what count for your grade.
Why the grade matters beyond the wall
The grade is public the moment it posts. It shows up on the city's site, on Yelp, and in the window. A B on a Friday night is a measurable hit to walk-in traffic, which is why catching the points before the inspection is worth far more than fixing them after.
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Run my free compliance checkFrequently asked
How many points is a B in NYC?
14 to 27 points is a Grade B. 28 or more is a C. 13 or fewer is an A.
Can a Grade Pending become an A?
Yes. Grade Pending means you await a re-inspection. If you correct the issues, the re-inspection can result in an A.