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Tattoo Placement Guide: Choosing the Right Spot
Where a tattoo goes matters almost as much as what it is. Placement decides how much it hurts, how well it heals, how long it stays sharp, and who sees it. Here's every common spot compared, with the designs that suit each one.
Placement at a glance
| Spot | Pain | Ageing | Visibility | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outer forearm | Low | Very good | Easy to show or cover | Almost anything, from names to half sleeves |
| Inner forearm | Medium | Very good | Seen when you read your phone | Script, flowers, dates |
| Upper arm | Low | Very good | Hidden by a t-shirt | Traditional, portraits |
| Wrist | Medium | Good | Always on show | Tiny symbols, initials |
| Hand and fingers | Medium to high | Poor, fades fast | Always on show | Bold, simple designs |
| Collarbone | High | Good | Shows with open necklines | Script, small florals |
| Chest | Medium | Good | Private | Symmetrical pieces, names |
| Sternum | High | Good | Private | Sacred hearts, ornamental |
| Ribs | Very high | Good | Private | Quotes, long flowers |
| Spine | High | Good | Private | Vertical script, stems |
| Upper back | Medium | Very good | Private | Big pieces, wings |
| Hip and thigh | Low to medium | Very good | Private | Florals, larger designs |
| Calf | Low to medium | Very good | Seasonal | Medium to large designs |
| Ankle and foot | High | Fair, rubs on shoes | Seasonal | Small symbols |
| Behind the ear | Medium | Good | Hidden by hair | Tiny hearts, stars |
The full pain ratings are on our tattoo pain chart.
How to choose
Match the design to the shape of your body
Long designs (stems, script, snakes) suit long spots like the forearm, spine and ribs. Round designs (mandalas, roses, portraits) suit the upper arm, shoulder, thigh and chest. Your artist will usually adjust a design to flow with the muscle.
Think about the future
If you might want a sleeve one day, place smaller tattoos so they can be built into it later. Ask your artist to leave room.
Think about work and life
Forearms are easy to cover with long sleeves. Hands, neck and face are not. Many studios won't do highly visible spots as a first tattoo.
Think about healing
Spots that bend (elbows, knees, ankles) and spots that rub (feet, waistband, bra line) are harder to heal. Plan around holidays and the gym.
Best spots for love tattoos
- Couple tattoos that connect: inner wrists or sides of hands. See couple tattoos.
- Names and dates: inner forearm, collarbone, chest. See our name tattoo guide.
- Tiny hearts: ring finger, wrist, behind the ear. See finger tattoos.
- Memorial pieces: over the heart on the chest, or the inner arm so you can see it. See memorial tattoos.
Try before you commit
Draw it on with a skin-safe marker, or order a temporary version, and live with it for a week. You'll quickly know if you love the spot.