101 UX Principles

Chapter #49. Allow Users to Enter Phone Numbers However They Wish

Phone number entry should be as painless as possible for the user. Don't attempt to validate them, split them into groups of numbers, apply brackets or any of the other weird tricks you see all over the web. If you've tried to use a UK mobile number on a form that's demanding a European number, then you'll know the feeling.

My theory is that this sort of design comes from traditional paper form filling. Designers are tasked with copying or recreating what was once a paper form into the company's shiny new web application, but they take this too literally and users end up with a horrible experience as a result.

Stop and think whether a phone number is even necessary for most registration ...