This specification defines quality characteristics and metrics pertinent to resistance spot welds on steels used in automotive applications. The evaluation methods and inspection criteria specified herein can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of particular welding equipment and procedures used to weld a particular base material combination. The criteria and metrics are the same for all welds regardless of the service load. The quality standards established by this specification do not constitute a lower bound of suitability for service; welds that do not meet the weld quality criteria of this specification may be satisfactory for certain applications. The acceptance criteria of this standard are not intended for applications outside this scope (such as post-crash weld quality assessment): attempts to do so may lead to an erroneous result.