clipboards

A clipboard is a rigid writing surface with a clip at the top used to hold papers, forms, or notepads. The clip secures documents while the user writes, enabling portable note-taking without a desk.

Clipboards are typically made from plastic, hardboard, wood, or metal. They come in landscape or portrait orientation and in sizes that fit common paper formats, most often letter or A4. Some models include a writing lip or a groove to guide the page edge. Clipboards have a long history, evolving from simple boards with clips to lightweight composites.

They are widely used in schools, offices, healthcare, construction, and fieldwork for notes, checklists, and form completion. The design prioritizes portability, a stable writing surface, and reliable page retention during movement.

The top clip is usually a metal or plastic spring mechanism; some clips are larger, adjustable, or lockable. Variants include clipboards with storage compartments, attached notepads, or washable surfaces for medical and laboratory use.

In modern use, digital clipboards exist as devices that combine a writing surface with touchscreens or data capture capabilities to replace or supplement paper clipboards.