In a software meant to be used internationally, should I use "post code", "postal code" or "zip code"?

In a software meant to be used internationally, should I use "post code", "postal code" or "zip code"?

As most of countries have some sort of implementation of this code, I'm after the term that would be best suited for international usage.

Solution 1:

Most computer systems I've used that are intended to support addresses in many countries use "postal code". This seems to be generally accepted. "Postal" is a pretty generic word, not implying any particular country's mail delivery system

I definitely wouldn't use "zip code" because that is specifically U.S. I think most people could figure out what "postal code" means. Would people in other countries know what a "zip code" is? Even if they did, I can readily imagine someone being unsure whether they should enter their own country's equivalent, or if, as they do not have a "zip code", they should leave this blank, or if there is some special value they should enter, etc. If I was filling out a form and saw a space labeled "Foobar code", even if I knew that this was a Ruritanian term for their national health care service identification, I would be wondering, "As I am not a Ruritanian, should I leave this blank? Should I enter my Blue Cross member number as the nearest equivalent? Do they have some value that means 'non-Ruritanian' that I am somehow expected to know?" etc etc

I suppose if you really wanted to be accommodating you could look up the term used by each country you want to support, and change the headings based on country selected. Some systems will change a heading between "State" and "Province" based on the country, etc. But that seems like a lot of work, and I think most people accept "postal code" as a generic term.

Solution 2:

I personally put a switch in when the person selects the county. For example on a web form that is designed to be used internationally I default to the Zip Code, as that is where most users are from, but when the country changes I change the label to Postal Code.

Solution 3:

I guess people don't use "post code" because "postal" exists as an adjective of post and is widely used. Either Zip Code or Postal code is fine. Not all countries use "zip code", they directly use home addresses.

Solution 4:

Can you fit "zip/postal code" ?
If you have to choose one I would use 'zip'.
1, The US is a big market
2, English speakers outside the US are used to translating American terms
3, Americans are generally less familiar with foreign terms