Best Tattoo Placement Guide: Where Should You Get Inked?

You've found the perfect design. The style is exactly what you wanted. But now comes the question that trips up even experienced tattoo collectors: where should you put it?

Tattoo placement isn't just about aesthetics. The location you choose affects how much the tattoo hurts, how well it ages, how visible it is in different situations, and even how the design needs to be adapted. Making the right choice requires understanding how different body areas work with ink.

Why Placement Matters More Than You Think

A stunning design in the wrong location can look awkward, fade quickly, or cause more pain than necessary. Conversely, a simpler design in the perfect spot can become the centerpiece of your body art collection.

Consider these factors that change based on placement:

• Pain level varies dramatically between body areas
• Visibility affects your professional and personal life
• Aging happens differently depending on skin thickness and sun exposure
• Design adaptation is necessary for different body contours
• Future expansion possibilities depend on surrounding space

Let's explore the most popular placement options and what makes each unique.

Upper Arm and Shoulder

The upper arm remains one of the most popular tattoo locations, and for good reason. This area offers a generous canvas that's easy to show off or cover up depending on your outfit.

Advantages

The skin here is relatively thick, which means moderate pain levels for most people. The flat, muscular surface works well for detailed designs. Upper arm tattoos are easily hidden by short sleeves for professional settings, yet visible when you want them to be.

This location ages reasonably well because it's often protected from sun exposure by clothing. The muscle beneath provides a stable base that doesn't stretch or sag dramatically with normal weight fluctuations.

Best Design Types

• Medium to large pieces with detail
• Designs that work as standalone pieces or sleeve starters
• Portraits, animals, and complex imagery
• Geometric and mandala designs

Considerations

If you're planning a full sleeve eventually, think about how your upper arm piece will connect with future work. Starting with the upper arm and leaving the forearm for later is a common approach that gives you flexibility.

Forearm

The forearm is the showpiece location. Tattoos here are almost always visible in casual clothing, making this spot perfect for meaningful designs you want to see daily.

Inner vs Outer Forearm

The inner forearm (facing up when your palm faces up) is slightly more painful due to thinner skin and more nerve endings. However, it's the first thing you see when you look at your arm, making it ideal for personal reminders or meaningful symbols.

The outer forearm is less sensitive and gets more sun exposure. Designs here face outward, making them more visible to others than to yourself.

Aging Factors

Forearms get significant sun exposure throughout life. Sunscreen becomes essential if you want your tattoo to stay vibrant. Fortunately, the skin here doesn't stretch much with age, so designs maintain their shape well.

Best Design Types

• Script and lettering
• Elongated vertical designs
• Nature elements (trees, flowers, feathers)
• Symbols and meaningful imagery

Ribcage and Side

The ribcage is known as one of the more painful locations, but it offers a large, relatively hidden canvas for substantial pieces.

Pain Reality

Yes, rib tattoos hurt more than arm tattoos. The skin is thin, the bones are close to the surface, and the area is sensitive. However, pain tolerance varies greatly between individuals, and many people find the discomfort manageable for the result they want.

Design Considerations

The ribcage moves with every breath, which can make tattooing technically challenging. Experienced artists know how to work with this movement. The curved surface requires designs that flow with your body's natural contours.

Best Design Types

• Vertical flowing designs
• Script with decorative elements
• Floral arrangements
• Animals in motion
• Large pieces that wrap from front to side

Visibility

Rib tattoos are easily hidden by most clothing, making them popular for people who want significant body art while maintaining a conservative appearance in professional settings.

Back

Your back provides the largest continuous canvas on your body. From small pieces to full back designs, this location offers unmatched possibilities for detailed, expansive artwork.

Upper Back vs Lower Back

The upper back, particularly between the shoulder blades, is moderately painful—similar to the upper arm. This area works well for symmetrical designs and standalone pieces.

The lower back has become less trendy due to past fashion associations, but it remains a valid choice for meaningful tattoos. Pain levels are moderate, and the area is easily covered.

Full Back Pieces

Large back pieces are commitments in both time and budget. They typically require multiple sessions over months or even years. However, the result can be truly spectacular—a personal masterpiece that no other placement can match.

Best Design Types

• Large, detailed scenes
• Symmetrical designs (wings, mandalas)
• Japanese traditional full back pieces
• Portraits and realistic work
• Text and quotes (upper back)

Chest

The chest holds cultural significance as a placement close to the heart. Many people choose this location for deeply meaningful tattoos.

Pain Considerations

The center of the chest over the sternum is quite painful due to the bone directly beneath thin skin. The pectoral muscles are less sensitive. Collarbone area falls somewhere in between.

Design Placement

Chest tattoos can be centered (symmetrical designs, script) or placed on one side (standalone pieces, partial designs). Consider how the design will look with different necklines if visibility matters to you.

Best Design Types

• Symmetrical imagery
• Script and meaningful quotes
• Hearts, wings, and symbolic designs
• Larger pieces that span the chest
• Designs that incorporate or frame the collarbone

Wrist and Hand

Wrists and hands are high-visibility locations that require special consideration. These areas are almost always visible, so your tattoo becomes part of your daily presentation to the world.

Practical Concerns

Hand and finger tattoos fade faster than other locations due to constant use, washing, and sun exposure. Touch-ups are often needed more frequently. Some workplaces still have policies against visible hand tattoos.

Wrist tattoos on the inner surface can be sensitive, while the outer wrist is less so. Both locations are relatively small, limiting design complexity.

Best Design Types

• Small, simple designs
• Symbols and icons
• Minimalist line work
• Words or short phrases
• Matching or complementary pairs

Leg and Thigh

Legs offer substantial space that's easily hidden or revealed depending on your clothing choices.

Thigh Tattoos

The thigh provides a large, relatively flat canvas with moderate pain levels. Outer thigh is less sensitive than inner thigh. This location is popular for larger pieces that you can choose when to display.

Calf Tattoos

Calves are a classic tattoo location with moderate pain. The curved surface suits certain designs particularly well. Calf tattoos are visible in shorts but hidden in pants.

Ankle and Foot

Ankle and foot tattoos are painful due to thin skin and proximity to bones. They also fade faster due to friction from shoes and socks. However, they're popular for small, delicate designs.

Using Virtual Try-On for Placement Decisions

One of the hardest aspects of choosing placement is visualizing how a design will actually look on your body. What seems like the perfect spot in your imagination might feel different when you see it for real.

This is where virtual tattoo try-on becomes invaluable. By uploading photos of yourself and placing designs in different locations, you can:

• Compare the same design in multiple placements
• Check how sizing works in each location
• See how designs flow with your body's contours
• Test visibility in different poses
• Share previews with friends for feedback

Spending time with virtual try-on before your appointment saves you from placement regret and helps you communicate clearly with your artist.

Making Your Final Decision

Consider these questions when choosing your placement:

1. How important is visibility? Do you want to see your tattoo daily, or prefer keeping it private?

2. What's your pain tolerance? Be honest with yourself about how much discomfort you're willing to endure.

3. How will this age? Consider sun exposure and skin changes over decades.

4. Does this fit the design? Some designs need specific shapes or sizes that work better in certain locations.

5. What about future tattoos? If you plan to get more ink, consider how this placement fits with potential future pieces.

Start Exploring Your Options

The perfect placement exists for every design and every person. Take your time exploring possibilities before committing. Use virtual try-on to test different locations, ask your artist for their professional opinion, and trust your instincts about what feels right.

Your tattoo will be with you for life. Choosing the right placement ensures you'll love seeing it exactly where it is, every single day.

Ready to visualize your tattoo in different placements? Try our virtual preview tool and find your perfect spot before you commit.