15 Best Places To Get a Tattoo for Men

A tattoo makes up the body’s story; it is a chapter unto itself, sometimes solo, other times one of many. A tattoo is something to take pride in, to show to the world without shame or hesitation, and there are specific places on the body that spotlight your works of art for the ultimate effect.

Tattoo arm sleeves are the most surefire way to draw attention and awe from peers and passersby alike. The arms are arguably the most exposed part of one’s body, and some of the most stunning tattoo designs can be rendered along the length of a bicep and forearm. Tattoo sleeves compliment nearly every style and fashion statement, punctuating personal taste and completing a man’s overall ensemble.

For a more understated but expansive canvas, the back and shoulders provide an equally dramatic backdrop for numerous designs and memorable creations. For those living in warmer climates or pursuing athletic lifestyles, back, shoulder, and torso designs emphasize maximum muscle and tone.

More subtle but no less of a signature, tattoos on the fingers, hands, and neck send out a more understated message, that some men don’t need to make a dramatic entrance in order to leave a lasting impression. Wherever you choose to showcase your ink, be confident in letting the world know that you yourself are a work of art, and with many more stories to tell.

1. Chest

Chest tattoo for men featuring bold blackletter text and decorative script across the upper chest and shoulders.

If you want to look tough, a chest tattoo will give you that. The area is big enough to allow for an imprinted picture or a big design. You will be dying to take your shirt off every chance you get, and you can guess the reaction of the people around you, especially women. The area is not painful too. You need to avoid the collarbone though because it can be pretty painful.

2. Ribs

Side torso tattoo for men featuring a bold tribal-style shark design in solid black ink.

Thinking about getting a rib tattoo? You’re in luck because you can get a full body canvas ink or just a small design. However, be prepared for some grueling experience on that chair.

The area has many nerves and close proximity to the bone. They are among the painful because there are numerous bones, and the padding is not the best. This should not deter you from getting the tat though. As long as the artist is not heavy-handed, it will be done before you know it.

3. Leg

Forearm tattoo for men featuring a vibrant red maple leaf with watercolor splashes and realistic water droplets.

From Instagram street stars to catwalks, leg tattoos are gaining popularity. Instances of leg tattoo have not been given much attention in the past, but with ink attitudes changing, you should get some pins and needles there.

This is a prime location, especially if you want to stand out. Not many people get tats on the legs; the more reason to get one here. You can be sure that you will stand out in a crowd where many people have been inked on the popular places like the shoulder, back, and arms.

4. Biceps

Inner bicep tattoo for men showcasing a fierce tiger face in black and grey realism with artistic brushstroke effects.

Just flex those biceps and let the world read the message! Is there a better place than this to get a tattoo? Probably not. You can hide the tat if need be. Also, it is not painful to get a bicep tattoo, and it is on another level of sexy. The area is perfect for tribal tattoos, quotes, scripts, inspirational phrases, and names.

You need to get your biceps in shape for the design to look great. The beauty of having a tattoo on the biceps is to accentuate how toned the muscles are. Everyone at the gym will be commenting on how great the tat looks, and you will never have to worry about wearing tank tops.

5. Back

Full back tattoo for men featuring a detailed skull design with swirling abstract elements and bold lettering across the shoulders.

This is a classy place to get a tattoo for men. The designs dictate where the tattoo will be. It can be in the middle, across the back, between shoulder blades or across the shoulders. If you are working on the formal setup, you can easily hide the tat. It is masculine and sexy, and the back has enough space for you to fit your big tattoo ideas.

Almost every man who loves tattoos will have one on the back. Due to the large space, you can add finer details on the design, and everyone will notice them. Another perk of the site is that the pain is minimal.

6. Forearm

Forearm tattoo for men featuring a hyper-realistic lion and bearded warrior design in black and grey shading.

The forearm is one of the well-toned parts of the male body, which makes it a flattering, and attractive site for a tattoo. You can have small subtle designs a well as have the entire forearm inked. You can easily conceal the tat by wearing long-sleeved jackets, or shirts.

The area is easily accessible, and it is among the areas which are less painful to get a tattoo. To test your pain tolerance, be sure to get a few words written first, or a small design.

7. Thigh

Thigh tattoo for men featuring bold abstract brushstroke-style black ink design with a modern artistic feel.

Besides being the easiest to conceal, thigh tattoos are not painful due to the area being well padded. However, you need to stick to the outer part. The inner thighs are very sensitive because of a high number of nerve endings which makes it a painful place to get inked.

If you are a fan of shorts or an athlete, you can make a statement with your tat wherever you go. However, it will be easy to conceal your tat if you are attending a family gathering or work issues. Due to the large space, it is perfect for inking larger designs.

8. Upper arm

Shoulder tattoo for men featuring a bold tribal-style orca design inspired by Indigenous art in solid black ink.

It is one of the most preferred tattoo sites especially for men who have been hitting the punching bag hard. You do not even have to walk naked to show off your unique ink design. On the other hand, you can easily conceal it if you wish.

You can always get a shirt, jacket, or t-shirt that covers the entire design, and it doesn’t have to be long-sleeved. The area is less painful because it is muscular.

9. Inner wrist

Wrist tattoo for men featuring a small, realistic lion head design in fine black and grey detail.

Think your wrists look too empty? A carefully selected tattoo design might add charm to the area. There isn’t much space to work with here and your design should be small. Even though wrist tattoo pain is high on the scale of the painful tattoos, you should rest easy because the small designs lessen the time you will be in the chair.

10. Outer shoulder

Shoulder tattoo for men featuring bold black ink splatter streaks flowing from the shoulder to the upper arm and back.

The outer shoulder is a prime location for tattoo lovers. There are two reasons which make it enticing. First, it has ample space, and your choice for designs will be limitless. The other reason is that you can easily expose or cover up the area. You can get creative in your design, and a t-shirt will get you sorted in covering it up. When you are in a flashy mood, don on a tank top and heads will be turning.

This is one of the least painful sites because it has fewer nerve endings, and it has a lot of muscle. Thus, it is a common site for people getting a tat for the first time. Actually, this is the ideal site if you want to gauge your tolerance to pins and needles. You can also ask the tattoo artist to use analgesic cream if you are afraid of pain.

11. Stomach

Stomach tattoo for men featuring a geometric mandala-style design with intricate dotwork and overlapping circular patterns.

A well-built man with sleeve or chest tattoo will arouse curiosity in women, with many wondering how far down the tat goes. It is always a sexy surprise if it extends down the stomach. The area is big and you can continue your chest designs up to the site. To drive people crazy, you only have to lift your shirt! Additionally, it is one of the least painful places to get inked.

12. Hip

Side torso tattoo for men featuring a bold black tribal design with sharp curves and pointed edges.

The hip does not have much space. Thus, getting a tattoo here means you will have to limit your choice to small designs or get a design that extends down the torso or leg. Because it is not heavily padded, the pain might be significant. This is not only a sensual area for men to get a tattoo but also attractive. Concealing it is not a problem.

13. Triceps

Upper arm tattoo for men with bold black lettering that reads "VENI VIDI VICI" in a minimalist font.

Triceps tattoos are always on trend. You will always have people turning their heads to follow just how far the triceps ink goes. Given the masculinity of the area, you will automatically look more rugged, which is a big plus for men. It has good padding hence the low pain.

Also, you can have big designs which extend to the ribs, shoulder, or abdomen. Covering or exposing triceps tattoos has never been an issue.

14. Shin

Calf tattoo for men featuring a detailed sugar skull design with dotwork and geometric patterns.

Many people shy away from getting inked on the shin due to the associated pain, but this varies from one person to the other. Thus, this should not deter you from getting a shin tattoo. You can easily conceal the tat with long pants, and easily expose it by wearing shorts. The designs you can fit here are varied, and some can be an extension of the thigh tattoos.

15. Inner arm

Inner arm tattoo for men featuring a hyper-realistic black and grey portrait of a bearded Greek or Roman statue.

The beauty of getting inner arm tattoos is that you choose who sees them, and when. Because they are not always exposed, people will be left dying to take a second look.

People make different impressions on people with tattoos, and the fact that you will be in control on who sees them and the occasion at which you flash them, you will have the upper hand. They are great for working people, and even though painful, they are worth it. However, avoid the armpit.

Best Places To Get Tattoos That Can Be Hidden

Corporate, office, education, and medical settings are just a few places that might prohibit showing off one’s tattoo design.

And yet rest assured some of the world’s most successful people sport equally impressive ink, albeit the tattoo placement is hidden safely out of sight.

A more conservative profession shouldn’t deter one from getting inscribed, and there are a number of ideal hidden tattoo spots to get a design that won’t draw unwanted attention. A chest tattoo, stomach and rib cage, back, shoulder tattoo, upper arm and legs can sport a number of elaborate tattoo pieces and just as easily be concealed under standard work attire.

What’s more, your secret tattoo spot will be safe even if you have to remove a jacket or roll up your sleeves.

More discreet regions of the body also mean more detailed, expansive designs that the standard forearm tattoo, hand tattoo, sleeve, ear or neck tattoo idea can’t always contain. While the need to hide a tattoo can seem restrictive, it is in fact an opportunity to be twice as bold and unapologetic if you find the perfect spot for your tattoo placement. If you know you have to conceal it, why not make it doubly rewarding for the lucky ones that get to see your tattoo art?

There is always more than meets the eye where the multi-dimensional tattoo is concerned. It may be the corporate world’s loss to be barred from this tattoo legacy, but it will most certainly be the gain of those closest to him. So, don’t be afraid to research your tattoo idea, the perfect spot and tattoo artist for your next tattoo.

1. The Butt is a Great Spot

The butt is pretty meaty, and you will not experience a lot of pain. You will, however, experience a burning sensation. Pain tolerance is of importance here, and it might be just walk in the park for you. The butt is perhaps one of the areas that you can easily hide. Unless you are a female in a bikini, your clothes always do hide the tattoo.

If there was any person who would have been against your tattoo, you could hide it in your butt. Being larger, you can place bigger tattoos. It might take a bit longer to heal through with optimal care; you will be okay soon.

2. Spine Tattoo Art

Spine tattoo for men featuring vertical Roman numerals in bold black ink running down the center of the back.

The spine is the house to the nervous system and has high sensitivity. It, however, offers you a good place to hide a tattoo. Since the spine is a bit bony, the needle will feel like a jamb. Hold your fist tight and let the artist work the way up and you will have a secret tattoo on your spine.

Most people who prefer to have the emblem on the back are pain tolerant. It is a good place to hide the tattoo while you want to remain employable.

3. Caves, Shin, and Thigh

Leg tattoo for men featuring a bold traditional-style design of a bird claw gripping a dagger with a red sun backdrop.

The leg is perhaps a funny place to place your tattoo and expects to hide it. Nonetheless, there are specific spots that can conceal your tattoo. This will mostly depend on the type of wear you prefer.

With most men wearing trousers at all times, the whole leg could be a great place to conceal your tattoo. If you often have to stay in a short dress or mini skirt, the upper leg could be a great place.

4. Ankle

Ankle tattoo for men featuring a minimalist black line art outline of a walking bear.

The ankle position is not apparent to many. Most men will have socks meaning that no one will look at the ankle to notice the tattoo. The footwear will undoubtedly influence the visibility of the ankle tattoo. 

It, therefore, means that your visible tattoo can be hidden. It is a pretty painful position since it is bony. The fattier the tissue is, the least painful place it becomes. Expect more pain if you have a tattoo on less fatty tissues and more son on the bony parts of your body.

5. Foot Tattoo (top and bottom of foot)

Foot tattoo for men featuring a colorful ocean wave crashing under a vivid sunset sky in a realistic painting style.

The foot bottom is one place that your tattoos are perfectly hidden. Do you walk barefooted? If you answer no, then, your foot tattoo will never be seen unless you wish to show them off. While it is not meaty, the skin is pretty tough and will absorb the pain; you will feel like there is a hot scratch on your foot.

While a top of the foot tattoo does not offer equal concealing, it does its job well. It has bony tissues, and you expect some jabbing sensation. This tattoo spot will also hold up much better over a long period of time, due to less wear and tear.

6. Knee

Leg tattoo for men featuring intricate geometric and mandala patterns with dotwork and 3D-style elements.

If you want a tattoo down there on your knees, it can easily be drawn by an expert. While the knee is one of the painful parts of the lower body, your tattoo will be through as soon as possible. The symbol on the knee is hardly noticeable to many people. Even celebs put some of their hidden tattoos on their knees. If you are on long wears, in most cases, your tattoo will be less obvious.

For your knee tattoo, it should not be one that you really want to remain secret but something that you wouldn’t mind showing off sometimes. If they do, why not you?

7. Inner Lip Tattoo

Inner lip tattoo for men featuring three bold black X symbols in a simple and edgy style.
Source: @chrissnelgrove via Instagram

The inner lip tattoo offers space to draw a small tattoo or minimalist tattoo design . While the internal lips tattoos are good, they often fade quickly despite being in a perfect spot. This is because they are always wet and the lip cells are rapidly being replaced due to the high friction in the mouth.

Even if they fade away, it is comfortable and pain-free to have them redone. You could even let the tattoo face and apply another style to your lips.

8. Armpit Ink

Armpit tattoo for men featuring a yellow skull surrounded by red and black twisted ribbon-like shapes in a bold traditional style.

An armpit is pretty, a nice place for hidden tattoos. Unless you are going with a strapless ensemble, it is easy to conceal. Nikki Reed has a tattoo on her side that is only seen when it is peeking. Honestly, the armpit has dense nerve network, and some pains will be experienced. Nevertheless, the experience is not as you would think at first.

9. Rib Cage

Side torso tattoo for men featuring a dramatic black ink design of crashing waves merging into a twisted, leafless tree.

Ribs are bony structures, the deeper the tattoo goes, the higher the sensation. It is nice to keep on reminding you that a painful experience is not bad at all since it is only for a short time.

The needle will be jabbing your skin, and soon you will have a great tattoo to conceal. You can show it at any time you wish. Miss Millay has tattoos on her rib cage which was done some years ago. It is a painful place but tucks away under most ensembles.

10. Triceps and Upper Arm

Upper arm tattoo for men featuring a realistic light bulb design with a brain inside, symbolizing creativity and intelligence.

Your triceps are unquestionably a beautiful place to hide some fancy tattoos. They can be cute and lovely. They are masculine, and pain is relative. Pain tolerance will determine how one considers the experience.

Someone may make it a big ordeal that you even develop a phobia for the triceps tattoo. However, the pain is not as much as might expect and you would certainly love the hidden tattoo.

One thing to remember: you can always make a test run for your ink idea by (in most cases) getting a temporary tattoo before heading to the tattooist. A temporary tattoo is useful for style, size, and tattoo placement concerns you might have in the lead up to getting your first tattoo or making a tattoo appointment for your next tattoo.

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