What is a good tattoo size for you? - Skin Design Tattoo (2024)

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What is a good tattoo size for you? - Skin Design Tattoo (1)

You’ve seen large tattoos that look amazing, but also some poor designs. Furthermore, it’s not uncommon that a small body art piece looks more powerful. The goal is to find the right option for you, and our guide will help to find your way around different tattoo sizes.

Design, area, pain tolerance, and many other factors could affect the size you pick. Here is what you should know about sizing this body art to your individual preference!

Tattoo Size Chart

Tattoo artists use inches to determine the total size of your desired body art. Depending on the chosen option, the tattooed area can be square, rectangle, or non-specific. Some artists calculate a total area to cover when discussing the price and other specifics with you.

Another thing to note is that big tattoo sizes might require multiple sessions. A single session takes about two hours. But if you and the artist can handle it, it can extend up to five hours.

With that in mind, check out our tattoo size and time chart. It’s relative but should give you a general idea about different tattoo size requirements!

Size Hours Best Placement
Up to 1 inch 1 Toe, finger, wrist, ear
1-2 inches 2-3 Ankle, wrist, clavicle
2-3 inches 2-5 Ankle, calf, wrist, upper arm
3-4 inches 4-5 Lower arm, neck, chest
4-5 inches 5-8 Thigh, lower back, shoulders
5-7 inches 8-11 Upper back, half-sleeves
7-10 inches 11-18 Thigh, hip, sleeves
10-15 inches 18-23 Full sleeve, side body, back
15+ 24+ Full body

2×2 Tattoo Size

If you look at the tattoo size and time chart, this is a fine choice for most beginners. It’s not the smallest option available, so it gives enough room to convey the right message. If you have a single symbol, animal, or character, 2×2 will be sufficient to show it proudly.

The experts recommend anything from hearts and other symbols to butterflies, birds, and other animals for a small tattoo. You can also pick initials and some minimalist designs. As for the placement, go with the ankles, or wrists, or lower arm, especially if you are a female.

3×3 Tattoo Size

What is a good tattoo size for you? - Skin Design Tattoo (2)This is a common option, and the crucial thing to note is that it significantly increases the total tattoo area. That gives you more room when choosing the placement of the 3×3 tattoo. You can go with thighs or wrists, but also shoulders and upper arms. This size is sufficient enough for your chest and ribcage if those are your preferred body art options.

You can portray an animal protector or a mythological character with this size. A floral motive, but also swords, feathers, and similar shapes, can be a wise choice, too.

4×4 Tattoo Size

This range already enters large tattoo sizes. Not many people choose an actual square area, so the shape depends on the chosen tattoo. A dragon, tiger, or another powerful creator will look good in this size. You can go for cartoon and mythological characters, but also humans. If the stylist is skilled enough, they can even add some imagery around the focal point of the tattoo.

6×6 Tattoo Size

Although there are larger tattoo sizes, this is the last one we’ll mention. If it’s your first piece, don’t go bigger than this. 6×6 tattoos look best on thighs, hips, shoulders, or the upper back. It’s also enough to get a half or full-sleeve, depending on your arm’s dimensions.

If you like large fonts and symbols, you can go with that. However, there’s no reason not to combine a mythical creature or character with some additional elements. Roses and skulls are a common combination for this tattoo size.

Tattoo Size by Time

What is a good tattoo size for you? - Skin Design Tattoo (3)The desired tattoo sizes and time it takes to do them are usually directly proportionate. However, the actual duration of the tattoo process also depends on the following factors:

  • Artist’s skills. More experience, especially with the requested style, usually means less time required to finish the tattoo.
  • Pain tolerance. If you seem uncomfortable or in pain, the artist might take things slower.
  • Tattoo details. Your body art might be small but with many delicate details. Those tattoos could take more time than large but simple pieces.

It will take the stylist at least an hour for a small 3×3 inch tattoo. But if you want large imagery on your back, that could take multiple sessions and 20+ hours of work. The stylist will divide the process into multiple sessions. Our tattoo size and time chart serve merely for orientation. Make sure to schedule a tattoo consultation to get time and price estimation for your desired body art.

Tattoo Size Prices: Why They Are Hard to Guess?

Not every 3×3 inch tattoo will cost identically. It depends on many factors, ranging from the stylist to body art specifics.

Here are some pointers on different tattoo sizes and prices:

  • Stylist’s reputation and skills. An advanced tattoo will require a master artist. However, famous and reputable stylists tend to charge more. And it might be worth paying a bit extra to get the best service and outcome possible.
  • The equipment used in the process. The payment will cover studio expenses, but also sterilization, ink, needles, and other equipment. Different machines and ink options might result in some cost differences.
  • Tattoo difficulty. Body art that contains many delicate details and colors is more demanding. It requires more focus from the artist, which leads to a price increase.
  • The number of sessions. Some artists might adjust the price depending on the number of sessions they require to finish your tattoo.

About the Author

What is a good tattoo size for you? - Skin Design Tattoo (4)

Jacob Pullman

Jacob Pullman is a former tattoo artist turned into a consultant-enthusiast-writer-educator. A change of career, before he started writing, he got a degree in PR and communications. He is passionate about traveling and exploring the world and cultures visiting all those funky museums as a modern art lover. His ultimate goal is to spread knowledge about relationships (but only theoretically, as he is still single), a healthy lifestyle, body art, and of course, everything related to tattoo art. That's how he went deep into digital marketing, working with Skin Design Tattoo to educate and share his knowledge and experience.

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What is a good tattoo size for you? - Skin Design Tattoo (5)

What is a good tattoo size for you? - Skin Design Tattoo (2024)

FAQs

What is a good tattoo size for you? - Skin Design Tattoo? ›

A palm-sized tattoo usually runs between $200-500, and medium to large tattoos (about 8”) usually range from $300-600. Half sleeves typically start around $1,000 and full sleeves often range from $2,000-$4,000.

How big is a 150$ tattoo? ›

BASIC TATTOO COSTS
TYPESIZECOST
Tiny TattoosUnder 2 inches$50 - $100
Small Tattoos2-4 inches$50 - $250
Medium Sized Tattoos4-6 inches$150 - $450
Large Single-Piece Tattoos4-6 inches$500 - $5,000
1 more row
Jan 29, 2022

How big is a $300 tattoo? ›

A palm-sized tattoo usually runs between $200-500, and medium to large tattoos (about 8”) usually range from $300-600. Half sleeves typically start around $1,000 and full sleeves often range from $2,000-$4,000.

How much is a 4 inch tattoo? ›

The cost of a 4-inch tattoo can vary depending on several factors such as the complexity of the design, the skill level of the tattoo artist, the location of the tattoo studio, and the tattoo artist's pricing structure. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $300 for a 4-inch tattoo.

What is considered a small tattoo? ›

In general, a tattoo under 2 inches is tiny, something 2 to 4 inches is small, 4-6 inches is medium, and 6 or more inches is large. It is important to understand that these sizes are subjective though. Each tattoo artist will have to determine their sizes and how they price them.

Is 150 too much for a small tattoo? ›

A small (2” by 2”) tattoo could be priced anywhere from $30 to $100 on average, and a tattoo double that size (4” by 4”) could cost you somewhere between $150 to $250.

How big is a $500 tattoo? ›

A standard-size hip or thigh tattoo (about 12 inches in length) will run you about $500 for outline only, or anywhere from $1500 to $2000 for full color.

How small is a $50 tattoo? ›

$50 tattoos are approximately one inch by one inch in black ink on arms or legs. Other areas of the body start at only $70.

Is $200 a lot for a small tattoo? ›

-Small Tattoos

Small tattoos, such as minimalistic designs, symbols, linework, or lettering, typically range from $50 to $200, depending on the detail and the artist's rates.

What size tattoo do I want? ›

Tattoo Size Chart
SizeHoursBest Placement
4-5 inches5-8Thigh, lower back, shoulders
5-7 inches8-11Upper back, half-sleeves
7-10 inches11-18Thigh, hip, sleeves
10-15 inches18-23Full sleeve, side body, back
5 more rows
May 12, 2022

What is a 3% tattoo? ›

Named after the rather dubious idea that only 3% of colonists rose up against the British during the American Revolution, the "III%ers" are a paramilitary group that aims to resist intervention by the Federal government in local affairs.

How big should a first tattoo be? ›

It is recommended that you start with a smaller tattoo to learn what the tattoo experience as well as pain tolerance will be like for you personally. BUT… we caution you about going too small. You can have a small delicate tattoo if desired but the smaller your tattoo the less detail it should have.

Should a wrist tattoo face you or away? ›

"If you get a tattoo on your wrist facing toward you, no one else will be able to read it," he said. "It will also be upside down whenever your hands are at your side." It's ultimately up to the client and their preferences, but Lohman suggested giving it some thought before heading to the studio.

Is 150 a lot for a tattoo? ›

A larger tattoo around the size of a credit card will come in at around £100 to £150 while a palm-sized tattoo could go up to around £250.

How much to tip for a $150 tattoo? ›

Many people choose to tip about 20% of the overall price of their tattoo – just like at a barbershop or massage appointment.

Is 150 an hour expensive for a tattoo? ›

Hiring a tattoo artist typically costs $150 to $250 per hour, and prices depend on skill level and demand of Tattooist. At our shop because of how busy we are we offer an extremely fair price.

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