From 03e4391623f9dbf910dba1bb840248e1c4ef816b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Fuqiao Xue Date: Thu, 28 Nov 2024 15:02:22 +0800 Subject: [PATCH 1/7] Initial work on address formats --- questions/qa-address-formats.en.md | 106 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 106 insertions(+) create mode 100644 questions/qa-address-formats.en.md diff --git a/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md b/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..d327c0f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md @@ -0,0 +1,106 @@ +# Address formats around the world + +## Question + +### How do address formats differ around the world, and what are the implications of those differences on the design of forms, databases, ontologies, etc. for the Web? + +Address formats vary widely across the globe, with differences in structure, content, and the level of granularity. For authors and developers designing forms, databases, or systems that handle addresses, understanding these variations is crucial to avoid frustrating users from other countries. This article will introduce some of the key differences in address formats around the world and provide guidance on how to design systems that can handle them effectively. + +This is not an exhaustive guide but aims to sensitize you to the complexities of international address formats and the challenges they pose for web design. As with [personal names](https://www.w3.org/International/questions/qa-personal-names.en.html), there is rarely a "perfect" solution, but awareness of these differences is the first step toward building more inclusive systems. + +## Global variations in address formats + +In most countries, an address consists of a combination of elements such as a street name, a house number, a postal code, and a locality name. However, the order, structure, and even the elements themselves can vary significantly between countries—and sometimes even within the same country. Below are some examples of how address formats differ around the world. + +### Key differences in address formats + +#### **Street numbers and house numbering** + +In Colombia, instead of numbering houses sequentially along a street, addresses are based on the distance from the nearest intersecting street. + +Kyoto uses a similar system based around street intersections, with cardinal directions indicating the location relative to the intersection. + +Elsewhere in Japan, street names are often not used at all. Instead, buildings are referenced by block numbers, and their numbering may not follow geographic order (e.g., they can be the order in which buildings were constructed). + +#### **Order of address components** + +While most countries recommend that users format addresses in order from the most detailed part (such as street and house number) to the most general part (like city and province), there are some cases that slightly deviate from the general rule. + +In Germany, if there are suburbs, their names should be placed above the street name and house number. + +In China, addresses are written starting with the postal code, followed by the largest administrative area (e.g., province), and down to the smallest unit (e.g., room number). For example: + +``` +100083 北京市 海淀区 学院路 37号 +``` + +(Postal code → City → District → Street → House number). + +- Russia often follow a "largest-to-smallest" order, starting with the country. For example: +``` +Russia, Moscow, Tverskaya Street, 16 +``` + +However, Russia also uses the "smallest-to-largest" order commonly seen internationally, so developers should account for both formats. + +#### **Locality-specific elements** + +For example, the UK includes elements like "dependent locality" and "double dependent locality" for more granular location information. Royal Mail requires the "post town" to be included whenever possible. + +#### **Countries without postal codes** + +Not all countries use postal codes. For example, Angola and some other nations rely on descriptive addressing, which can make validation more challenging. Always design systems with flexibility to accommodate such exceptions. + +## Postal code systems around the world + +Postal codes also vary widely in format and granularity: + +### Length and format + +- **Europe:** Most countries use 4- or 5-digit codes. The UK and Netherlands use alphanumeric codes (e.g., `SW1A 1AA` in the UK). +- **North America:** The United States uses a 5-digit code, optionally followed by a 4-digit extension (e.g., `20500-0003`). +- **South America:** South America generally uses 4- or 5-digit codes. Argentina and Brazil use alphanumeric 8-digit codes, while Colombia and Ecuador use 6-digit systems. +- **Asia:** China and Japan use 5- or 6-digit codes, with the first few digits specifying the province or prefecture. and the rest to specify the city or district. South Korea and Vietnam use a 5-digit postal code system. +- **Africa:** Nigeria and Ghana use 6-digit systems, while South Africa and Kenya use 4-digit codes. + +### Granularity + +In many countries, postal codes cover relatively large areas, such as Saudi Arabia (which can cover an entire town). In some countries, postal codes cover very small areas, such as a small neighborhood or even a single address. + +## Implications for field design + +### General tips for handling international addresses + +**Avoid rigid field labels and formats.** Using labels like "Street Address" or "Zip Code" can be confusing for users whose countries do not use these concepts. Instead, use more generic terms like "Address Line 1" and "Postal Code." + +**Provide flexibility in input fields.** Allow multiple lines for addresses. Some addresses, especially in rural areas, can be long and descriptive. Avoid strict validation rules that assume specific formats (e.g., expecting numeric postal codes). + +**Separate fields for granularity only if needed.** If you need specific parts of an address (e.g., city, postal code) for sorting or validation, use clear labels and instructions. For example: + +``` +- Address Line 1 (Street address or P.O. Box) +- Address Line 2 (Apartment, suite, unit, building, floor, etc.) +- City/Town +- State/Province/Region +- Postal Code +``` + +**Do not assume addresses will follow a specific order.** Be prepared to handle both "largest-to-smallest" and "smallest-to-largest" formats for address components. + +**Allow non-ASCII characters.** Many addresses include characters from non-Latin scripts (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Cyrillic). Use a Unicode encoding (such as UTF-8) in your pages, backend databases, and all software code in between. + +**Accommodate countries without postal codes.** Ensure that postal codes are optional, if your target users include people from countries that do not use them. + +### Supporting multilingual and localized addresses + +If your website serves users from multiple countries, consider localizing the address form for each locale, such as displaying field labels in the user's language, adjusting the order of fields to match the address format of the user's country, and using address auto-completion tools that are aware of regional differences. + +## Further reading + +For further reading on related topics, see: + +- [International Address Format: Structure and Normalization](https://www.geopostcodes.com/blog/international-address-data/) +- [Address](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Address) on Wikipedia +- [Proposal for extending the autocomplete attribute](https://github.com/battre/autocomplete-attribute-explainer/) +- [Personal names around the world](https://www.w3.org/International/questions/qa-personal-names.en.html) +- [Universal Postal Union](https://www.upu.int/en/home) From a13efa912f6a08596b9dc09e5aacce329620f402 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Fuqiao Xue Date: Thu, 28 Nov 2024 15:06:10 +0800 Subject: [PATCH 2/7] Editorial fix --- questions/qa-address-formats.en.md | 3 ++- 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md b/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md index d327c0f7..e47b2e50 100644 --- a/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md +++ b/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md @@ -36,7 +36,8 @@ In China, addresses are written starting with the postal code, followed by the l (Postal code → City → District → Street → House number). -- Russia often follow a "largest-to-smallest" order, starting with the country. For example: +Russia often follow a "largest-to-smallest" order, starting with the country. For example: + ``` Russia, Moscow, Tverskaya Street, 16 ``` From 8de42e2ebc131f4bc6412594319890723e841233 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Fuqiao Xue Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2024 15:01:44 +0800 Subject: [PATCH 3/7] wip --- questions/qa-address-formats.en.md | 28 ++++++++++++++++++++-------- 1 file changed, 20 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-) diff --git a/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md b/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md index e47b2e50..038052c0 100644 --- a/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md +++ b/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md @@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Address formats vary widely across the globe, with differences in structure, content, and the level of granularity. For authors and developers designing forms, databases, or systems that handle addresses, understanding these variations is crucial to avoid frustrating users from other countries. This article will introduce some of the key differences in address formats around the world and provide guidance on how to design systems that can handle them effectively. -This is not an exhaustive guide but aims to sensitize you to the complexities of international address formats and the challenges they pose for web design. As with [personal names](https://www.w3.org/International/questions/qa-personal-names.en.html), there is rarely a "perfect" solution, but awareness of these differences is the first step toward building more inclusive systems. +This is not an exhaustive guide but aims to sensitize you to the complexities of international address formats and the challenges they pose for web design. As with [personal names](https://www.w3.org/International/questions/qa-personal-names), there is rarely a "perfect" solution, but awareness of these differences is the first step toward building more inclusive systems. ## Global variations in address formats @@ -16,18 +16,30 @@ In most countries, an address consists of a combination of elements such as a st #### **Street numbers and house numbering** -In Colombia, instead of numbering houses sequentially along a street, addresses are based on the distance from the nearest intersecting street. +In Colombia, instead of numbering houses sequentially along a street, addresses are based on the distance from the nearest intersecting street. For example, `Calle 122 # 18 – 15` means 122nd street, 15 metres from the intersection with 18th street. -Kyoto uses a similar system based around street intersections, with cardinal directions indicating the location relative to the intersection. +Kyoto uses a similar system based around street intersections, with cardinal directions indicating the location relative to the intersection. For instance, the address of Kyoto Tower is: -Elsewhere in Japan, street names are often not used at all. Instead, buildings are referenced by block numbers, and their numbering may not follow geographic order (e.g., they can be the order in which buildings were constructed). +``` +京都市下京区 Kyōto-shi, Shimogyō-ku +烏丸七条下ル Karasuma-Shichijō-sagaru +東塩小路町 721-1 Higashi-Shiokōji 721-1 +``` + +This second line means "south of the intersection of Karasuma and Shichijō streets". + +Elsewhere in Japan, street names are often not used at all. Instead, buildings are referenced by block numbers, and their numbering may not follow geographic order (e.g., they can be the order in which buildings were constructed). For example, in the following address: + +``` +305-0051, Ibaraki, Tsukuba, Ninomiya 1-chōme, 6-13 +``` + +305-0051 is the postal code, Ibaraki is the Prefecture, Tsukuba is the city, Ninomiya 1-chōme is the district, 6 is the block number, and 13 is the building number. #### **Order of address components** While most countries recommend that users format addresses in order from the most detailed part (such as street and house number) to the most general part (like city and province), there are some cases that slightly deviate from the general rule. -In Germany, if there are suburbs, their names should be placed above the street name and house number. - In China, addresses are written starting with the postal code, followed by the largest administrative area (e.g., province), and down to the smallest unit (e.g., room number). For example: ``` @@ -50,7 +62,7 @@ For example, the UK includes elements like "dependent locality" and "double depe #### **Countries without postal codes** -Not all countries use postal codes. For example, Angola and some other nations rely on descriptive addressing, which can make validation more challenging. Always design systems with flexibility to accommodate such exceptions. +Not all countries use postal codes. For example, Angola and some other nations do not use postal codes, which can make validation more challenging. Always design systems with flexibility to accommodate such exceptions. ## Postal code systems around the world @@ -103,5 +115,5 @@ For further reading on related topics, see: - [International Address Format: Structure and Normalization](https://www.geopostcodes.com/blog/international-address-data/) - [Address](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Address) on Wikipedia - [Proposal for extending the autocomplete attribute](https://github.com/battre/autocomplete-attribute-explainer/) -- [Personal names around the world](https://www.w3.org/International/questions/qa-personal-names.en.html) +- [Personal names around the world](https://www.w3.org/International/questions/qa-personal-names) - [Universal Postal Union](https://www.upu.int/en/home) From d8a02e7aae11f14cc72916663bb27d50555e7d33 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Fuqiao Xue Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2024 15:19:05 +0800 Subject: [PATCH 4/7] wip --- questions/qa-address-formats.en.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md b/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md index 038052c0..54ca8656 100644 --- a/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md +++ b/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md @@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ Postal codes also vary widely in format and granularity: ### Granularity -In many countries, postal codes cover relatively large areas, such as Saudi Arabia (which can cover an entire town). In some countries, postal codes cover very small areas, such as a small neighborhood or even a single address. +In some countries, postal codes represent relatively large areas, such as an entire town. In others, they can be highly specific, covering small neighborhoods or even a single address. ## Implications for field design From 6165d2c15540030b402b3c4a5e09d299d977fccd Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Fuqiao Xue Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2024 15:20:54 +0800 Subject: [PATCH 5/7] Mention Japan --- questions/qa-address-formats.en.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md b/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md index 54ca8656..81a626e0 100644 --- a/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md +++ b/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md @@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ Elsewhere in Japan, street names are often not used at all. Instead, buildings a While most countries recommend that users format addresses in order from the most detailed part (such as street and house number) to the most general part (like city and province), there are some cases that slightly deviate from the general rule. -In China, addresses are written starting with the postal code, followed by the largest administrative area (e.g., province), and down to the smallest unit (e.g., room number). For example: +In China and Japan, addresses are written starting with the postal code, followed by the largest administrative area (e.g., province), and down to the smallest unit (e.g., room number). For example, here is an example of a Chinese address: ``` 100083 北京市 海淀区 学院路 37号 From 1ad42536bea409732b0ee2dd359e9660e3931012 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Fuqiao Xue Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2024 15:31:37 +0800 Subject: [PATCH 6/7] Remove dependent locality etc. --- questions/qa-address-formats.en.md | 4 ---- 1 file changed, 4 deletions(-) diff --git a/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md b/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md index 81a626e0..b5d30538 100644 --- a/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md +++ b/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md @@ -56,10 +56,6 @@ Russia, Moscow, Tverskaya Street, 16 However, Russia also uses the "smallest-to-largest" order commonly seen internationally, so developers should account for both formats. -#### **Locality-specific elements** - -For example, the UK includes elements like "dependent locality" and "double dependent locality" for more granular location information. Royal Mail requires the "post town" to be included whenever possible. - #### **Countries without postal codes** Not all countries use postal codes. For example, Angola and some other nations do not use postal codes, which can make validation more challenging. Always design systems with flexibility to accommodate such exceptions. From 6ce046979783737820b452ba5e1c411a3c2df359 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Fuqiao Xue Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2024 14:26:01 +0800 Subject: [PATCH 7/7] Editorial fix --- questions/qa-address-formats.en.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md b/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md index b5d30538..3be3c8bb 100644 --- a/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md +++ b/questions/qa-address-formats.en.md @@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ Elsewhere in Japan, street names are often not used at all. Instead, buildings a 305-0051, Ibaraki, Tsukuba, Ninomiya 1-chōme, 6-13 ``` -305-0051 is the postal code, Ibaraki is the Prefecture, Tsukuba is the city, Ninomiya 1-chōme is the district, 6 is the block number, and 13 is the building number. +305-0051 is the postal code, Ibaraki is the prefecture, Tsukuba is the city, Ninomiya 1-chōme is the district, 6 is the block number, and 13 is the building number. #### **Order of address components**