A paperclip icon online typically indicates an email attachment. It symbolizes that a file is attached to an email message, allowing users to recognize that there is additional content included beyond the text of the email itself
. This usage draws from the physical function of a paperclip, which binds papers together without damaging them, and has been adopted as a digital metaphor for attaching files in software and email platforms
. Sometimes, however, a paperclip icon may appear even if no visible attachment is present, such as when there are embedded images or tables within the email body, which can cause confusion
. In summary, online, a paperclip most commonly indicates an attachment to an email or message.
