Does It Hurt to Get a Tattoo? Pain Levels by Placement
The short answer is yes, tattoos hurt. In varying degrees, but yes, tattoos are painful. It’s needles going into the top layers of your skin thousands of times per minute, it’d be pretty weird if it felt good. And if it does feel good, you’re probably into some other pretty weird stuff entirely. Totally ok, zero judgment, but you are the exception, my friend, not the rule.
That said, not all tattoos hurt the same.
There are a lot of factors that play a part in the experience of getting a tattoo. Placement is a big one (likely the biggest), certain areas of the body are just more sensitive, no matter how big and tough you are. The style of tattoo you’re getting plays a huge part in the pain level as well. For example, a blackout tattoo is probably going to hurt more than some soft black-and-gray shading. Having fully saturated colour packed into your upper inner thigh is going to feel a hell of a lot different than getting a small heart outline tattoo on the back of your forearm.
Tattooing technique is another factor worth mentioning. Every artist runs their machine a little differently, and every setup hits the skin a little differently. Those factors, along with your mental state, sleep quality, and how you’re feeling emotionally that day, can all affect the experience in varying degrees. And last, but certainly not least, the duration of your session. Tattoo pain gets worse the longer you sit. However, it's not linear, you'll have ups and downs along the way, but the overall trajectory is usually a downward spiral into the abyss of pain. You know the saying about staring into the abyss? And if you stare into it long enough the abyss states back at you… that one from some crazy dude with a crazy moustache? I think it fits here.
Some days you’ll sit like a rock, other days you’ll feel every single line. Sometimes it’s physical, sometimes it’s mental, sometimes mercury is in retrograde, sometimes it's a Nietzschean prophecy being fulfilled. Sometimes it’s all of these things at the same god damn time. It can be real mixed bag of shit, tbh. But, also to be honest, almost EVERYONE can handle it. Many different reactions and experiences, but people are usually a lot tougher than they think they are.
Pain is personal. What’s hell for one person might be totally chill for someone else. I’ve tattooed someone’s head and they sat there like they were under general anesthesia. Then I’ve had some people wriggle around like they are being electrocuted getting a 5-minute tattoo outline on their forearm. There is no shame in this, by the way, it’s just an observation, and this, my friends, is honest journalism.
I was once having the side of my head tattooed and I was holding on for dear life, brow sweat and all… seriously questioning my life choices in that moment. Another artist tattooed a butterfly on the back of my head and it felt like it was an actual butterfly ever so delicately tattooing my cranium. Same general area, completely different experience. That’s just how it goes. Different day, different artist, different style, mercury in retrograde… different experience.
So yeah, tattoos hurt. I realize this is kind of all over the place, but it's genuinely an extremely difficult question to answer. Pain is subjective. But after years of tattooing hundreds of people, and getting tattooed for many, many hours myself, I can give you a pretty reliable subjectively objective breakdown of what’s likely to hurt and what’s probably not so bad.
How Much Do Tattoos Really Hurt?
This is the question everyone wants to know, the tattoo artist equivalent of “what’s the meaning of life?” The bloody holy grail of tattoo questions.
And the truth is: We don’t know how much it will hurt YOU. Only you will know once you get the tattoo. That is honestly the most honest answer anyone could give you. You might not like the answer, it might not be the answer you want, but again, this is honest journalism. I know we all want certainty and answers in the face of uncertainty, fear, and ambiguity, but some things just need to be experienced.
I can explain it a little further with some examples. Answering the question “how much does a tattoo hurt?” is like asking “how bad does it hurt to get stung by a wasp?” or “how bad does it hurt to stub your toe?” It’s all very subjective. Some people can split their leg wide open and calmly go get stitches. Others stub their toe and scream bloody murder. Pain is personal.
Some people cry at one of these experiences. Some people barely flinch and get on with their day. Tattoo pain is no different. It depends on your pain tolerance, your mindset, your artist’s technique, what you’re getting done, and where it’s going.
All of this ambiguity aside, below I’ve tried to solve this riddle for you as best I can based on my experience, using tattoo placement as a guide. There are certain areas that are almost universally brutal, and others that are surprisingly chill.
Here’s a breakdown. It’s not gospel, but it’s a solid guide.
Tattoo Pain Chart by Body Part
Least Painful Areas
Outer thigh
Front thigh
Back thigh
Outer calf
Inner calf
Back of the forearm
Shoulder (away from the joint)
Outer bicep
Upper/mid back
Some parts of the chest
These areas usually have more muscle and fewer nerve endings. If it’s your first tattoo and you’re nervous about pain, these are safe bets. That said, don’t pick your tattoo placement based on how much it may or may not hurt. The pain only lasts a few hours. The tattoo is forever. Get it where it looks best and feels right, not where it’s easiest.
Moderately Painful Areas
Inner biceps
Inner forearms
Inner thigh
Shin
Upper back (closer to spine and shoulder blades)
Stomach
Hands and feet
Squishy side body area below the ribs
Ribs
Knee ditch
Elbow ditch
Armpit creases
Around the nipples
These spots range from “not great” to “fuck this, what am I doing with my life?” (yes, I still ask myself this every single time I get tattooed).
Most Painful Areas
Neck and throat
Elbows
Knees (anywhere around the fucking knee)
Wrists
Fingers
Palms
Ankles
Upper inner thigh
Under the butt cheek
Hip bone
Head
Bum, the closer you get to the butt crack, the worse it gets
These spots are almost always rough. Heads, palms, and the butt are in a league of their own.
It’s not just about the spot, what you’re getting done matters. A small walk-in tattoo in one of these areas might be uncomfortable but tolerable. Two or three hours of heavy fill? Completely different story.
When I’m working in these areas, I try not to hit them at the end of a long session. If the client’s sitting well, we might push through, but for larger work, I usually break these areas into manageable chunks.
What Factors Influence Tattoo Pain?
Placement — probably the biggest factor
Tattoo style — bold color packing hurts more than soft shading
Tattoo size — the longer the session, the more it wears on you
Your artist’s technique — every artist works differently
Session duration — pain builds over time
Your mindset — your mood, stress, anxiety, and even breathing all matter
Your body — sleep, hydration, what you ate, your pain threshold, the time of the month (yes, really). Some days you’re more sensitive than others
Prep — showing up well-fed, hydrated, rested, and relaxed can make a huge difference
Mercury? Retrograde?
Tips to Minimize Tattoo Pain
Eat a full meal before your appointment
Hydrate well the day before and the day of
Get a good night’s sleep
Don’t come in hungover or exhausted
Bring headphones, water, and snacks if it’s a long session
Talk to your artist, ask questions, stay informed
Use numbing cream only if your artist recommends it. Some artists are fine with it, some aren’t — always ask first. Make sure you ask first. Do not show up with numbing cream without asking your artist. DID I MENTION TO CHECK WITH YOUR ARTIST FIRST?
If you're prone to anxiety, breathing techniques or calming music can help
Don’t overthink it, most people get through it just fine
If you constantly tell yourself how much it hurts, tense your body, and physically react, you reinforce the idea that it hurts
Consciously trying to stay calm and relaxed helps more than almost anything
Breathe, please don't forget that part
Final Thoughts
Yes, tattoos hurt. But the pain comes in waves and goes in waves. Ride them out, my dude, don't swim against the current, and it'll be smooth sailing for you and your artist. Tattoo pain is temporary, the tattoo is not. It'll be over before you know it.
Pick the placement based on where it looks best, not just where it hurts less. If it means something to you, it’s worth it.
FAQs
What’s the most painful place to get a tattoo?
Everyone’s different, but generally: ribs, head, palms, neck/throat, and the under-butt area are at the top of the list.
Are tattoos more painful for women or men?
Pain tolerance isn’t strictly about sex. Some women sit like statues. Some men pass out. There is no universal truth here.
Does tattoo pain get worse with time?
Yes and no. The first 30-ish minutes tend to be the hardest. After that, your body starts releasing endorphins and things can level out. The exception is very long sessions, you hit a point where it inevitably gets more sensitive as the hours drag on. Everyone has a limit.
Can numbing cream really help?
It can, but it depends on the product, how it’s applied, and your artist’s preferences. Some artists don’t allow it because it can change how the skin reacts. Others are fine with it. I personally only like to use it for the last hour or two of a session. Always ask before applying.
