diff --git a/source/specifications/core-metadata.rst b/source/specifications/core-metadata.rst
index 550c6e55a..c79b4e0f7 100644
--- a/source/specifications/core-metadata.rst
+++ b/source/specifications/core-metadata.rst
@@ -473,6 +473,9 @@ Text string that is a valid SPDX
 :term:`license expression <License Expression>`,
 as specified in :doc:`/specifications/license-expression`.
 
+Note that the expression in this field only applies to the distribution file
+containing the metadata, not the project overall or other distribution files.
+
 Examples::
 
     License-Expression: MIT
@@ -923,6 +926,9 @@ Example::
 History
 =======
 
+- August 2025: Clarified that ``License-Expression`` applies to the containing
+  distribution file and not the project itself.
+
 - August 2024: Core metadata 2.4 was approved through :pep:`639`.
 
   - Added the ``License-Expression`` field.