Methodology
ForkGrade converts raw violation data into a single 0–100 score for each inspection. Here's exactly how that works.
Scoring formula
Each violation is assigned a weight based on its severity. Those weights are summed into a risk score, which is then converted to a 0–100 display score using an exponential decay:
score = round(100 × e^(−risk × 0.05))
A restaurant with no violations scores 100. More violations, or more severe ones, push the score lower. The decay is gradual — a single critical violation yields roughly 86, while a string of them drops the score into failing territory.
Violation weights
Weights depend on how a region classifies violations:
| Severity | Weight | Used by |
|---|---|---|
| Critical | 3 | All regions (NYC Critical, FL High Priority, TX Substantial/Critical, GA Priority, Chicago Priority, Maricopa Priority, Philly Priority, RI Priority, Boston ***) |
| Major | 2 | All regions except NYC (FL Intermediate, TX Serious/Major, GA Priority Foundation, Chicago Priority Foundation, Maricopa Priority Foundation, Philly Priority Foundation, RI Priority Foundation, Boston **) |
| Minor / Non-critical | 1 | All regions (NYC Not Critical, FL Basic, TX General/Minor, GA Core, Chicago Core, Maricopa Core, Philly Core, RI Core, Boston *) |
NYC classifies violations as either Critical or Not Critical, so only the critical=3 and non-critical=1 weights apply there.
Score tiers
| Tier | Score range |
|---|---|
| Low Risk | 75 and above |
| Medium Risk | 55 – 74 |
| High Risk | Below 55 |
NYC letter grades
NYC DOH issues official letter grades (A, B, C) after scored inspections. Where available, we display this grade alongside our score. The letter grade comes directly from the city — we do not calculate it. A grade of A requires fewer than 14 points on the city's own penalty scale; B is 14–27 points; C is 28 or more.
Some inspections are marked Grade Pending — this happens when a restaurant requests a hearing to contest its grade, or when a re-inspection is scheduled. For these, we show an estimated risk tier based on violations, not an official grade.
Data sources
- Florida — Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants public inspection records
- NYC — NYC Open Data: DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results
- Texas — City of Houston Health Department and San Antonio Metropolitan Health District public inspection records
- Georgia — Georgia Department of Public Health public inspection records (Tyler HealthSpace portal)
- Chicago — Chicago Department of Public Health public inspection records
- Maricopa County — Maricopa County Environmental Services Department public inspection records
- Philadelphia — Philadelphia Department of Public Health public inspection records
- Rhode Island — Rhode Island Department of Health public inspection records
- Boston — Boston Inspectional Services Department public inspection records
Data is refreshed daily. ForkGrade is an independent tool and is not affiliated with any government agency.