How many fields should a checkout form have? (and which ones to cut first)
The Formleak team
Published
Quick answer
Most stores need about 8 checkout form fields, according to Baymard's research, while the average checkout has 11.3. Start by merging first and last name, hiding address line 2 and the company field, collapsing the coupon field and letting people buy without an account. Then measure which remaining field still loses people.
What the research says
Baymard's checkout research found the average checkout has 11.3 form fields, while most sites can get by with 8 (Baymard). In Baymard's survey of reasons for abandoning an order, 17% of shoppers said the checkout was too long or complicated, and 18% left because the site wanted them to create an account (Baymard).
Fields aren't the only reason: extra costs (40%) and slow delivery (20%) top that list. But fields are the part you can change today without changing your prices or your shipping. Getting plenty of ad clicks but few orders? See high CTR but no sales.
The 8 fields most checkouts need
| Field | Why it's needed |
|---|---|
| Order confirmation and updates | |
| Full name | Delivery (one field, not first and last) |
| Address | Street and house number |
| Postcode | Delivery, and can fill in the city |
| City | Delivery |
| Country | Shipping costs and tax; pre-select the likely one |
| Card or payment method | Payment |
| Phone (only if the courier needs it) | Delivery problems; say why you ask |
Fields to cut, merge or hide first
- First and last name: merge into one "Full name" field.
- Address line 2 and company: hide behind a small "Add apartment, company" link.
- Coupon code: collapse it behind "Have a code?" so an empty box doesn't send people off to search for one.
- Billing address: default to "same as delivery" with a checkbox.
- Account and password: let people buy as a guest and offer an account after the order.
- Phone: make it optional unless the courier needs it, and say why you ask.
- Date of birth, gender, "how did you hear about us": remove, or move to after the order.
- Before
- Phone number*
- After
- Phone (only for the courier if there's a delivery problem)
Saying why removes the main reason people hesitate.
Count fields, then measure them
Fewer fields is a good rule, but your checkout has its own leaks. Sometimes the problem isn't the number of fields but one confusing one: a postcode format error, a phone field that rejects spaces, or a coupon box. Field-level data shows which one it is, so you fix the field that matters instead of guessing.
Formleak tracks your checkout like any other form, including WooCommerce. See how to install it on WordPress, then compare before and after your change.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average cart abandonment rate?
- Baymard's average across 50 studies is about 70%. Many of those shoppers were only browsing, so the part you can win back through the checkout is smaller.
- Is a one-page checkout better than a multi-step checkout?
- Neither wins by default. What matters more is the number and clarity of the fields. Measure each step, and where people leave it.
- Should I force account creation at checkout?
- No. 18% of shoppers in Baymard's survey left an order because the site wanted them to create an account. Offer an account after the purchase instead.
- Should the phone number be required at checkout?
- Only if your courier needs it. If it's required, say why next to the field.