Tattoo Placements: Where to Put Your Tattoo
The best tattoo placement balances pain, visibility, size and how the area ages. The outer arm, shoulder, thigh and calf hurt least and are easy to cover; the ribs, hands, feet and neck hurt more, are harder to hide, and hands and fingers fade fastest. Match the design's shape to the body part.
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Each guide covers pain, visibility, how the spot ages and design ideas for men and women.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best placement for a first tattoo?
The outer upper arm, outer forearm, outer thigh and calf are popular first placements: they hurt less, heal easily and are simple to cover or show. Keep the first piece small enough for one session.
Which tattoo placements fade the fastest?
Hands, fingers, feet and the inside of the lips fade fastest because the skin there renews quickly and rubs against things all day. Placements that see a lot of sun also fade faster without sunscreen.
Which placements are easiest to hide for work?
The upper arm, shoulder, back, chest, ribs and thigh are easy to cover with ordinary clothes. Hands, neck, face and the lower forearm are hard to hide, which is why many artists suggest saving them for later.
Do some placements cost more?
The same design can cost more on the ribs, hands, feet, neck or face because the skin is harder to work and the session takes longer. See the cost calculator for a range.