VFR, MVFR, IFR and LIFR Explained
Compare the visibility and ceiling categories shown on PlanetVexa airport pages without relying on color alone.
Illustrative weather context. Flight category is derived from reported ceiling and visibility thresholds; it is not inferred from this image.
What are flight categories?
Flight categories summarize ceiling and surface visibility into familiar labels. They help communicate weather context quickly, but they are not a complete operational assessment and do not describe every local rule, terrain constraint or aircraft requirement.
VFR, MVFR, IFR and LIFR
| Category | Ceiling | Visibility | PlanetVexa label |
|---|---|---|---|
| VFR | Above 3,000 ft | Above 5 statute miles | VFR · Visual |
| MVFR | 1,000–3,000 ft | 3–5 statute miles | MVFR · Marginal visual |
| IFR | 500 to below 1,000 ft | 1 to below 3 statute miles | IFR · Instrument |
| LIFR | Below 500 ft | Below 1 statute mile | LIFR · Low instrument |
The most restrictive applicable ceiling or visibility value determines the displayed category. Threshold conventions can vary by authority and product.
Visibility
Visibility is the horizontal distance at which objects can be identified. It may be reduced by fog, precipitation, smoke, dust or other obscuration.
Ceiling
Ceiling generally refers to the height of the lowest broken or overcast layer, or vertical visibility into an obscuration, under the applicable reporting convention.
How categories appear on PlanetVexa
Airport cards show both a text label and a consistent visual treatment. Color reinforces the category but is never the only cue.
Why categories can change quickly
Weather observations are snapshots. Fog, showers, thunderstorms and shifting cloud layers can change ceiling or visibility between reports.
Read the category with the observation
Use the category as a pointer, then inspect the observation time, visibility, ceiling, wind and raw METAR. PlanetVexa keeps these fields together on each Airport Intelligence page.
From evidence to the PlanetVexa view
Each stage changes what can be claimed. PlanetVexa keeps the source record, derived interpretation and visual presentation visibly distinct.
- 01Station report
A METAR supplies timestamped visibility and cloud-layer information.
- 02Ceiling logic
The lowest qualifying broken, overcast or vertical-visibility layer establishes ceiling context.
- 03Category rule
The most restrictive ceiling or visibility threshold sets the displayed category.
- 04PlanetVexa label
Text, color, raw report, measurement time and source remain available together.
Informational context, not operational instruction
PlanetVexa presents source-backed reports and forecasts for education and planetary context. Decoding is not a substitute for certified training, official briefing products, current charts, notices, procedures or decisions by qualified aviation personnel. Source values can be corrected or amended.
Connected live aviation weather comes from the NOAA Aviation Weather Center. Airport metadata, runways and frequencies come from OurAirports open data; frequencies must be confirmed with an official operational source before use.
Explore Current Airport Categories
These are current backend records when available. Missing source data is shown as unavailable rather than replaced with a demonstration value.
FAQ
Is flight category determined by color?
No. It is determined from reported ceiling and visibility. PlanetVexa supplies text labels so color is not the only cue.
Does VFR mean every flight is safe?
No. A weather category is not a complete safety or operational assessment.
Why can the category differ from a nearby airport?
Ceiling and visibility can vary over short distances, and stations can report at different times.
Read the official material
Definitions and operational context are checked against the responsible institutions. External material can be revised independently of PlanetVexa.