You've got the idea. You've saved twenty photos, you know the style you want and you've even cleared a spot in your calendar. But before you book, the big question hits: how much is this going to hurt?
The answer mostly comes down to one thing: placement. Your outer forearm and your ribs are two completely different experiences. That's why we put together this tattoo pain chart, based on what we see in the studio every day, spot by spot, so you can choose wisely (and with no surprises).
Quick answer: where tattoos hurt the most and the least
The most painful places to get tattooed are the ribs, sternum, armpit, spine, feet and ankles, knees and elbows, and hands. They all have something in common: bone right under the skin, thin skin and lots of nerve endings.
The least painful places are the outer forearm, the shoulder and outer arm, the outer thigh, the calf and the upper back. More muscle, more padding and thicker skin: the perfect combo for a first tattoo.
Tattoo pain chart: rated 1 to 10
This is a rough guide. Everyone has their own pain threshold, but this is the average we see with our clients:
Placement | Pain | Level |
|---|---|---|
Outer forearm | 3/10 | |
Shoulder and outer arm | 3/10 | |
Outer thigh | 3/10 | |
Calf | 4/10 | |
Upper back | 4/10 | |
Chest | 6/10 | |
Wrist | 6/10 | |
Hands and fingers | 7/10 | |
Feet and ankles | 8/10 | |
Elbows and knees | 8/10 | |
Spine and sternum | 9/10 | |
Ribs and armpit | 9/10 | |
Why do some spots hurt more than others?
The needle is the same everywhere on your body. What changes is what's under the skin:
- Bone close to the surface: on the ribs, sternum, ankle or elbow there's barely any cushion, and you feel the machine's vibration in the bone.
- Thin skin: wrists, feet and the inner arm have the most delicate skin.
- Nerve endings: hands, feet, armpits and the head are packed with them.
- Muscle and fat: they act as padding. That's why the thigh or outer arm are so easy to sit through.
The least painful places to get a tattoo
Outer forearm. The king of first tattoos. Flat surface, great skin and very manageable discomfort. It heals beautifully too. Heads up: the inner side is a bit more sensitive.
Shoulder and outer arm. Lots of muscle, little bone. Ideal for medium pieces or the start of a sleeve. Check out these arm tattoo ideas by placement and style.
Outer thigh. Tons of space and low sensitivity, perfect if you want something big without a rough time. The inner thigh, on the other hand, hurts a lot more. See our leg tattoos.
Calf. Firm muscle and a very forgiving spot. You'll feel it more near the shin and behind the knee.
Upper back. The shoulder blades and upper back handle it well. What hurts is getting close to the spine. Get inspired by our back tattoos.
The most painful places to get a tattoo
Ribs. The most feared spot, and for good reason. Thin skin, bone right underneath and you're breathing the whole time, so the area keeps moving. Totally worth it, but come well rested.
Sternum and center chest. Bone right against the skin and a vibration you feel through your whole chest. The sides of the chest are much easier.
Spine. You feel every vertebra. Fine vertical designs look stunning here, but bring your patience.
Armpit. Very few people choose it, and the ones who do usually say it's the worst. Lots of nerve endings and super delicate skin.
Feet and ankles. Bone, tendons and paper thin skin. They also heal slower because of rubbing from your shoes.
Elbows and knees. Both the point and the inner side. These areas move a lot and usually need a touch-up.
Hands and fingers. They hurt, and the ink wears faster from daily use. If you go for it, plan on touch-ups.
What else affects tattoo pain?
- Session length: the first hour is easy. After the third, your skin gets more sensitive and you feel everything more.
- Style: linework is a sharper, finer sting; shading and color packing go over the same area several times and feel different.
- Your artist's hand: an experienced artist works faster, at the right depth and is gentler on the skin.
- How you show up: being tired, nervous, hungry or hungover drops your tolerance a lot.
Tips to make your tattoo hurt less
This is what we tell our clients before every session:
- Get a good night's sleep. Sounds basic, but it makes the biggest difference.
- Eat before you come in. It's easier to feel lightheaded on an empty stomach.
- No alcohol for 24 hours before. It increases bleeding and affects the result.
- Moisturize your skin in the days before. Healthy skin takes ink better.
- Bring water, a snack and comfy clothes that leave the area free.
- Breathe. Slow, long breaths. Holding your breath tenses your body and makes it hurt more.
- Ask for breaks. It's totally normal and no good artist will give you a hard time.
- Distract yourself: music, a podcast or a good chat with your artist.
What about numbing cream? Always ask your artist first. Some creams change the skin's texture and not every artist works with them.
First tattoo? Here's where to get it
Our advice: outer forearm, upper arm, calf or outer thigh. They hurt less, heal well and let you see how your body reacts before you go for the ribs or feet. If you want something small and delicate, take a look at these fine line tattoo ideas.
FAQ
What hurts more, a tattoo or a piercing? A piercing is a one second pinch. A tattoo is a milder but continuous sensation. If you're curious, here's which piercing hurts the least.
How long does the pain last afterwards? The area will be tender for a day or two, like a sunburn. After that, you'll mostly feel itching while it heals: don't scratch.
Does linework or shading hurt more? Most people say lines sting more and shading wears you out more. Everyone's different.
Does it hurt less if there's more fat or muscle? Fat and muscle act as padding, so on the same body part it usually hurts less where there's more tissue.
What if I regret it someday? There's a fix. Here's how much laser tattoo removal costs and whether it hurts.
Get tattooed at Noble Art
At Noble Art we help you pick the placement and size that best fit your design and your skin, so the result is perfect and your session is as comfortable as possible. We do every style: fine line, realism, micro-realism, floral, blackwork and much more. Find us in Miami, New York, Montreal and Zurich.
It hurts for a little while. You wear it for a lifetime.
