The outer upper arm, forearm, thigh and calf tend to be the least painful areas to get tattooed: there’s more muscle there and fewer nerves near the surface. The ribs, feet, hands, collarbones and spots over bone hurt more. Designs fade fastest on the fingers, palms and feet. Below is a quick guide to each area.
How to read the cards
For each area, the guide covers three things: pain, longevity, and whether the design shows in everyday clothes. The pain descriptions reflect what most people feel, but your experience may be different: a lot depends on the length of the session, how well you’ve slept and your mood.
For detailed advice on choosing a spot for your idea, see “Choosing your tattoo placement”.
Arms
Upper arm and forearm
- Outer upper arm. One of the most bearable spots. The design holds up well and is easy to cover with a sleeve.
- Inner upper arm. The skin is thin and sensitive, so you’ll feel it noticeably more.
- Outer forearm. Bearable, easy to look after, and you can see the design yourself. A popular choice for a first tattoo.
- Inner forearm. A little more sensitive, but one of the best places for fine linework.
- Elbow. It hurts, and the skin is constantly bending, so it takes longer to heal and sometimes needs a touch-up.
Wrist and hand
- Wrist. Close to the bone, so you’ll feel it. Visible almost all the time.
- Hand. Painful and always on show. The skin gets a lot of wear, so the design fades faster.
- Fingers and the side of the hand. The skin renews very quickly, so fine lines can blur or fade noticeably within the first year.
The skin on fingers and hands is constantly renewing itself and rubbing against things, so fine lines fade quickly. If you want something on your hand that will last, I suggest moving it to the wrist or forearm.
Torso
Front
- Collarbones. The bone is close to the skin, so you’ll feel it. A tattoo here highlights the line of your shoulders beautifully.
- Chest. Bearable over the muscle, more painful closer to the breastbone.
- Under the breasts and over the breastbone. Sensitive areas, especially in the centre.
- Stomach. Bearable, but the skin changes more with weight gain or loss and pregnancy.
Side and back
- Ribs and side. One of the most painful spots, and breathing makes it hard to keep still. On the plus side, it’s easy to hide.
- Shoulder blades and upper back. Bearable, with plenty of room for a large piece.
- Spine. You’ll feel it all the way along, but vertical designs look stunning there.
- Lower back. Bearable and covered by clothing, but awkward to look after yourself.
Legs
- Front and outer thigh. One of the most bearable areas. There's plenty of space, and it's easy to hide.
- Inner thigh. The skin is more delicate, so you’ll feel it more.
- Knee and back of the knee. Painful, and the skin bends, so it takes longer to heal.
- Calf. Bearable; the design holds up well and looks good when you move.
- Front of the shin. The bone is right under the skin, so you’ll feel it.
- Ankle. Close to the bone, and shoes rub it while it heals.
- Foot. Painful, and the design fades quickly because of shoes and friction.
Neck, head and behind the ear
- Back of the neck. Bearable, and covered by hair or a collar.
- Front and side of the neck. Sensitive, and visible almost all the time.
- Behind the ear. Intense, because of the bone and the sound of the machine so close. Small designs look neat there.
- Face and head. Always visible. Many artists won’t do this kind of work as someone’s first tattoo.
Your neck, hands and face can’t be hidden by ordinary clothes. If your job or studies call for a formal look, have a read of “Tattoos and work” before your session.
Quick picks
In short, different areas suit different goals:
- First tattoo: forearm, outer upper arm, thigh, calf.
- Needs hiding at work: upper arm, back, ribs, thigh.
- Longevity matters: upper arm, forearm, thigh, calf, back.
- Worried about pain: outer upper arm and outer thigh.
- Large project: back, thigh, a sleeve from shoulder to hand.
Frequently asked questions
Can't find your question? Message me on Telegram or Instagram. I reply personally.
Where does it hurt most?
Most people name the ribs, feet, hands, inner thigh and anywhere close to the bone. But everyone’s pain threshold is different.
Where does a tattoo last longest?
In areas exposed to less friction and sun: the upper arm, back, thigh and forearm.
Can I get a tattoo where hair grows?
Yes. The artist will shave the area before the session, and once it’s healed, the hair grows back as before.
Does placement affect the price?
Sometimes. Tricky areas are slower to work on, so they can take more time. More in “What goes into the price of a tattoo”.
