What the score and grade codes mean
A0–13 points
B14–27 points
C28+ points
- A: best inspection outcome — fewer violations and lower point total.
- B: middling inspection outcome — notable issues, but not the worst score range.
- C: highest score range — generally indicates more or worse sanitation problems.
- N: not yet graded — used when the place has a scored inspection result but no final posted letter grade yet.
- P: grade pending — a temporary placeholder while the final posted grade is still being resolved.
- Z: grade pending while the restaurant is going through the hearing or grade-resolution process after an inspection.
Initial inspection vs re-inspection
- Initial inspection: the first routine inspection in a cycle. NYC says these inspections are scheduled by the Health Department but are generally unannounced, so the restaurant is not given a specific appointment date ahead of time.
- Re-inspection: a follow-up visit after an initial inspection that did not earn an A. NYC says it happens at least a week later to give the restaurant time to improve, but it is still a Health Department inspection rather than a customer-visible appointment date.