Spot welding is a process that sheet metals are joined in one or more spot by heating at the faying interface. In this process, the spatter is dispersed from melted area. It has been reported that spatter generation has adverse effects on weld quality. However, no systematic study has been carried out to find out its effect on weld quality in resistance spot welding processes. In this study, specially designed specimen are used to perform experimental investigation of spatter generation and its effect. Major finding of this study show trends in tensile-shear strength for various amounts of spatter generated during spot welding process. Thus, optimum welding conditions are proposed in view of spatter generation and tensile-shear strength. (Received December 11, 2002)