---
id: pyperclip
version: "1.11.0"
license: BSD
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: aging
---

# pyperclip — A cross-platform clipboard module for Python. (Only handles plain text for now.)

License: permissive · Maintenance: aging · Popularity: top 1,000 on PyPI

## Install

pip install pyperclip
uv add pyperclip
poetry add pyperclip

## Description

Pyperclip is a cross-platform Python module for copy and paste clipboard functions. It works with Python 2 and 3.

Install on Windows: `pip install pyperclip`

Install on Linux/macOS: `pip3 install pyperclip`

Al Sweigart al@inventwithpython.com
BSD License

Example Usage
=============

    >>> import pyperclip
    >>> pyperclip.copy('The text to be copied to the clipboard.')
    >>> pyperclip.paste()
    'The text to be copied to the clipboard.'


Currently only handles plaintext.

On Windows, no additional modules are needed.

On Mac, this module makes use of the pbcopy and pbpaste commands, which should come with the os.

On Linux, this module makes use of the xclip or xsel commands, which should come with the os. Otherwise run "sudo apt-get install xclip" or "sudo apt-get install xsel" (Note: xsel does not always seem to work.)

Otherwise on Linux, you will need the qtpy or PyQT5 modules installed.

Support
-------

If you find this project helpful and would like to support its development, [consider donating to its creator on Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/AlSweigart).

## AI interpretation — verify before relying

Pyperclip provides cross-platform clipboard access for copying and pasting plain text in Python, with native support on Windows and command-line integration on macOS and Linux.

Verdict: Pyperclip is a stable, dependency-free clipboard utility suitable for cross-platform Python applications. No known vulnerabilities and permissive licensing make it a low-risk choice, though Linux users should verify system clipboard tools are available before deployment.

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/pyperclip) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/pyperclip/)