ISO 4264:2007 describes a procedure for the calculation of the cetane index of middle-distillate fuels from petroleum-derived sources. The calculated value is termed the "cetane index by four-variable equation". Throughout the remaining text of ISO 4264:2007, the term "cetane index" implies cetane index by four-variable equation.

ISO 4264:2007 is not applicable to fuels containing additives for raising the cetane number, nor to pure hydrocarbons, nor to distillate fuels derived from coal. It is applicable to fuels containing non-petroleum derivatives from tar sand and oil shale.