Home › Tattoo guides

How Much Does a Tattoo Cost in the UK?

By the Tattoo Love team · Updated 4 November 2026

In 2026, most UK studios charge a minimum of around £50 to £80 for a small tattoo. Bigger work is priced by the hour, at roughly £80 to £150 an hour, or by the day. Here's what to expect for every size and body part, and what pushes the price up or down.

Real example: at Timebomb in Bournemouth, tattoos start from £50, a half day is £250, and a full day is £450. A £50 deposit secures the booking and comes off the final price. Second skin is included.

UK tattoo prices by size

Typical ranges at established UK studios. City-centre London and big-name artists can charge more.

Tattoo	Typical time	Typical price
Tiny (heart, initial, dot work)	15–30 min	£50–£80 (studio minimum)
Small (palm-sized)	30 min–1.5 hrs	£80–£180
Medium (half a forearm)	2–4 hrs	£180–£450
Large (full calf, outer thigh)	4–8 hrs	£400–£900
Half sleeve	8–15 hrs, over several sessions	£700–£1,600
Full sleeve	15–30+ hrs	£1,400–£3,500+
Full back piece	25–50+ hrs	£2,500–£6,000+

Prices by body part

Placement	Typical price	Notes
Finger or behind the ear	£50–£90	Usually the minimum charge. Fingers often need a touch-up.
Wrist	£50–£150	Most wrist tattoos are small.
Hand	£80–£250	Some studios won't do hands as someone's first tattoo.
Forearm	£150–£500	Most popular spot, priced by time.
Neck	£100–£400	Same caution as hands.
Spine	£150–£450	Script down the spine is often a half-day job.
Ribs	£150–£600	Can take longer, as people need more breaks.
Chest	£300–£1,200	Symmetrical chest pieces take more design time.

What affects the price?

Time, not size. A small realistic portrait can cost more than a large, simple traditional piece.
Colour usually takes longer than black and grey, because the artist has to pack each colour.
The artist. In-demand artists with waiting lists charge more, and are usually worth it.
Custom design. Most studios include drawing time in the price. Some charge separately for very involved designs.
Cover-ups take extra planning and often more time.
Location. Central London rates run higher than most of the UK.

Before and after: an old tattoo covered up with a black and grey rose — Rose cover-up, before and after. Tattoo by Timebomb Bournemouth.

Deposits, tips and payment

Deposits are normal: often £30 to £100, deducted from the final price. They're usually non-refundable if you cancel late or don't turn up.
Tipping isn't expected in the UK the way it is in the US, but it's always appreciated, especially for long sessions. 10% is generous.
Cash vs card. Many studios take both. Some prefer cash for deposits, so ask when you book.
Payment plans. Big pieces are paid session by session, so a sleeve gets spread over months.

Is a cheap tattoo worth it?

A tattoo is one of the few things you buy that you'll wear every day for the rest of your life. Very cheap tattoos usually mean an inexperienced artist, an unlicensed setting, or both. In the UK, every studio and artist must be registered with their local council, so ask to see the registration. A cover-up or laser removal of a bad tattoo will cost you several times what a good tattoo would have.

The best way to save money is to use the minimum charge well. If the minimum is £50, you can often get two small designs in that time. Or pick a ready-drawn flash design from the studio wall instead of a custom one.

Tattoo artist at work on a client in a tattoo room at Timebomb Croydon — An artist at work in one of the studio's tattoo rooms. Tattoo by Timebomb Croydon.

Get a real quote

Prices are only estimates until an artist sees your idea. Send a reference picture and say roughly how big you want it and where. Most studios will give you a free quote by message or in person.