terminology - What is the term for a numeric input field of a specific format?

There are new HTML5 input types being defined for commonly used numeric input types such as date, time, telephone number, etc. These terms refer to a specific input format based on the type of numeric data that needs to be captured and displayed.

I was wondering if there is a more generic term used for numeric input that is required in a specific format (but not any particular format), since the term 'specific format numeric input' is probably not commonly used. This would indicate that the input field is not a free text input that is then validated, but the format of the input itself would create some constraints in the type of numeric data that can be entered. An example of this would be credit card details with digits separated the same way as it is displayed on the credit card.

The only thing that comes to mind is a 'fixed' or 'formatted' numeric input field. Any other suggestions?

Free text format

Fixed input format

This should not be a 'technical' sounding term since it is also intended for UX specification for designers and other UX people, so I prefer not to use a developer term but something everyone can understand. Also, the term should reflect the fact that it is not a free text looking field, but something that already indicates to the user that it has a specific input format.

Answer

The term used for these format-constrained inputs is masked inputs or mask input.

Here is a demo which includes a broad range of masks (date, time, phone number, etc). If you Google 'masked input' you will find plenty more examples.

http://igorescobar.github.io/jQuery-Mask-Plugin/

And a screenshot for posterity in case the link dies in the future.

It isn't a particularly descriptive term for lay users (e.g. your marketing team). For that kind audience, I describe them as 'formatted inputs' or 'formatted number inputs', but then introduce the term 'masked input' so they know how to use it in the future.

Here's another common masked input, the Windows serial number widget:

For extra geek credit, the term is an evolution of an approach used in data entry in the early days of programming to ensure correct input. See: