ISO 12213 specifies methods for the calculation of compression factors of natural gases, natural gases containing a synthetic admixture and similar mixtures at conditions under which the mixture can exist only as a gas.

It is divided into three parts: this part, ISO 12213-3:2006, specifies a method for the calculation of compression factors when the superior calorific value, relative density and carbon dioxide content are known, together with the relevant pressures and temperatures. If hydrogen is present, as is often the case for gases with a synthetic admixture, the hydrogen content also needs to be known.

The method is primarily applicable to pipeline quality gases within the ranges of pressure p and temperature T at which transmission and distribution operations normally take place, with an uncertainty of about +/-0,1 %. For wider-ranging applications the uncertainty of the results increases.