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Tattoo Pain Chart: Where It Hurts Most and Least
Everyone's pain threshold is different, but the pattern is the same for nearly everyone. Bony, thin-skinned and nerve-rich areas hurt more, and fleshy, muscly areas hurt less. Here's every common spot rated from 1 to 10, with what it actually feels like.
The tattoo pain chart
1 = barely noticeable, 10 = very intense. These are typical ratings from artists and clients, not medical measurements.
| Area | Pain | What it feels like | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer thigh | 3 | Lots of muscle and fat. One of the easiest spots. | |
| Outer upper arm | 3 | Easy, which is why so many first tattoos go here. | |
| Outer forearm | 3–4 | A scratchy feeling. Very manageable. | |
| Calf | 4 | Fine on the muscle, sharper towards the shin. | |
| Upper back and shoulder blade | 4–5 | Thick skin. Hotter over the bone of the shoulder blade. | |
| Inner forearm | 4–5 | Thinner skin than the outer arm, and stingier near the wrist. | |
| Upper chest | 5–6 | Gets sharper near the collarbone. | |
| Wrist | 5–6 | Thin skin over tendons and bone, but small tattoos are quick. | |
| Hip | 6 | Fine on the fleshy part, intense over the hip bone. | |
| Inner upper arm | 6–7 | Soft and sensitive. It surprises people. | |
| Hands and fingers | 6–7 | Bony with lots of nerves. Usually small tattoos, though. | |
| Neck | 6–7 | The back is easier. The front and throat are much sharper. | |
| Collarbone | 7 | A vibrating feeling right on the bone. | |
| Behind the knee | 7–8 | Thin, stretchy skin. It's also awkward to heal. | |
| Feet and ankles | 7–8 | Bone right under the skin. The top of the foot is intense. | |
| Elbow ditch and kneecap | 8 | Lots of people say the kneecap is the worst spot on the leg. | |
| Spine | 8 | A sharp, rattling feeling down the vertebrae. | |
| Stomach | 7–8 | Stretchy, sensitive skin, especially around the belly button. | |
| Sternum | 8–9 | Thin skin on bone. You feel it in your chest. | |
| Ribs | 9 | The famous one. It's thin skin, it moves when you breathe, and it's on bone. | |
| Armpit | 9–10 | Widely considered the worst spot on the body. |
Hands (about 6–7 out of 10) and the chest (5–6, sharper near the collarbone and sternum).
What does a tattoo feel like?
Most people describe it as a hot scratch, like a cat scratch dragged slowly across sunburnt skin. Line work feels sharper. Shading and colour packing feel duller but more raw, because the artist goes over the same patch repeatedly. Bony spots add a vibrating, rattling feeling.
The first few minutes are usually the worst. After that, your body releases adrenaline and endorphins and settles into it. Long sessions get harder after about three hours, when that natural pain relief wears off.
How to make it hurt less
- Sleep well and eat a proper meal before your appointment. Low blood sugar makes everything feel worse, and it's the main reason people faint.
- No alcohol for 24 hours beforehand. It thins your blood and no reputable studio will tattoo you drunk.
- Avoid painkillers that thin the blood, like aspirin and ibuprofen, before your session. Ask your artist or pharmacist about paracetamol.
- Breathe slowly and keep still. Tensing up makes it hurt more and makes the artist's job harder.
- Bring a distraction: headphones, a podcast, a friend (check with the studio first).
- Ask for breaks. Any good artist will pause when you need it.
- Numbing cream can help on painful spots, but ask your artist before you use it. Some products change how the skin takes ink, and many artists have a brand they prefer or a rule against it.
Tattoo numbing cream on Amazon
Always check with your artist before applying a numbing product, and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Picking a spot for your first tattoo
If you're nervous, start with the outer forearm, outer upper arm or thigh. These are easy places to sit still, they heal well and they're simple to hide. Save the ribs and sternum for when you know how you handle it. Need help deciding what to get? Browse our small love tattoo ideas.