If you’re looking for a new tattoo, then you’ll love these tattoo ideas for men. With so many cool tattoos, choosing the right designs can be tough and some guys may need examples to spark their creativity. Oftentimes, the best tattoos combine awesome imagery with a meaningful message. Tattoo designs can range from small and simple to unique and badass. Whether you’re getting your first tattoo or want to add new artwork to your sleeve, we’ve created this guide to help you discover the best tattoos for men to get right now. Explore these amazing masculine design ideas to find inspiration for what you want to get tattooed on your body next!
Tattoo Ideas For Men
Small Tattoo
If you want a tattoo that’s more subtle and easier to hide, go for a small tattoo. They can look great anywhere on your body, and there are many different designs and styles to choose from. If it’s your first tattoo, or your profession doesn’t welcome ink, try out a small design first.
Simple Tattoo
Sometimes, less is more. Simple tattoos can often be the most symbolic. In fact, simple design ideas require the most creativity and generally end up being the most unique drawings. Experiment with simple ideas to see what you can come up with.
Cross Tattoo
Religious tattoos have long been common, and cross tattoos in particular are timeless and unlikely to go out of fashion. Religious imagery holds plenty of meaning, and they can fit anywhere on your body to show off your faith.
Skull Tattoo
Skull tattoos will always be popular for guys who want badass ink ideas. There’s a variety of designs to choose from, ranging from the intricate and realistic to the simple and cartoon-like. No matter which you choose, you’ll be rocking one of the coolest designs.
Dragon Tattoo
Dragon tattoos symbolize wisdom, strength, power and good fortune. Different cultures give different representations to dragons, and your dragon tattoo ideas can mean whatever you like. Even between a Japanese and Chinese dragon tattoo, these mythical creatures can take on several meanings.
Lion Tattoo
Like dragons, lions symbolize strength. A lion tattoo can represent your own strength, or be in honor of someone else’s. Lion tattoos work well at any size, and can form part of a larger piece.
Phoenix Tattoo
A phoenix tattoo symbolizes rebirth or a new life. If you’re moving on from something or making a big change in your life, phoenix tattoo ideas would be a great fit. They can range in size from small wrist tattoos to big pieces taking up an arm or your back, and can be a reminder of what you’ve overcome.
Quote Tattoo
The great thing about quote tattoos is their versatility. You need to consider not only the quote you’d like but also the script. The possibilities are limitless so research meaningful quote tattoo ideas and seriously think about whether it’s a message you want to share for the rest of your life.
Family Tattoo
Pay tribute to those most important to you with a family tattoo. There’s a number of options available to you, from names, dates and portraits to crests, emblems, and family trees. It’s no surprise that family tattoo ideas are one of the most popular searches for men.
Star Tattoo
Stars can represent everything from good luck to big life changes. A star tattoo can be a great addition if you’re considering major life decisions, or can just be a stylish option if you’re looking for a classic, timeless design.
Angel Tattoo
Angel tattoos will never go out of style. One of the most symbolic tattoos that you can get, angels represent faith, hope and love.
Owl Tattoo
Owls are wise, and represent wisdom and knowledge. You can incorporate smaller designs into your owl, or simply get an owl on its own, large or small.
Eagle Tattoo
Eagles are one of the most popular bird tattoos, and for good reasons. They’re common in myths and legends and symbolize power and strength as a bird of prey. The bald eagle is also a US emblem, so an eagle tattoo is great way to display your patriotism.
Arrow Tattoo
You can’t go wrong with an arrow tattoo. Make your design as simple or complex as you like, and you’ll have a tattoo that symbolizes moving forward and looking to the future, with minimal effort.
Name Tattoo
Like family designs, name tattoos are ideal to show love for a family member or friend. The opportunities are endless, with a variety of fonts and embellishments available to personalize your design as much as you like.
Compass Tattoo
Compass tattoos are great if you’re the sort of person who travels a lot, and rarely stays in one place for long. We’re all making our own journey through life, and that’s what a compass tattoo can represent, while offering a classic tattoo design at the same time.
Clock Tattoo
Clocks can symbolize the passing of time, from life to death. There’s a variety of clocks to choose from and they will fit anywhere on your body. If you’re looking forward, or glancing back to the past, a clock will remind you that time continues to move at a steady pace.
Rose Tattoo
Rose tattoos are timeless and cool. Roses come in an array of colors and styles, and can be included into different drawings to represent different meanings. While the most common rose tattoo symbolizes love and passion, rose designs can signify war, bloodshed, beauty, optimism, and fresh beginning.
Tree Tattoo
Tree tattoos have become more popular for men in recent years, and for good reason. They symbolize longevity and growth, and can represent the “tree of life”, as well as being close to nature.
Tiger Tattoo
Tigers are one of the most powerful, ferocious animals – the largest big cat species. Tiger tattoos represent strength and authority, just like the lion tattoo. You can combine tiger tattoo ideas with ink of another animal for badass imagery.
Gemini Tattoo
The Gemini symbol is said to represent twins and duality, although some people interpret it as being a pair of lovers. This is a good tattoo to get in conjunction with somebody else – a sibling, partner, or friend.
Cloud Tattoo
Clouds symbolize weightlessness and your inner consciousness. If you’re at peace with yourself, or are aiming to be content in your life, consider a cloud tattoo. These can be small and minimalist in nature with just thin outlines, or can be larger tattoos which incorporate other elements.
Taurus Tattoo
If this is your star sign, a Taurus tattoo could be an option to consider. The bull symbolizes strength but also single-mindedness and determination. The deeper symbolic meaning of Taurus is connected to the soul, and so makes a great tattoo that’s aesthetically pleasing and joins you to your inner self.
Wolf Tattoo
Wolves have long been associated with loyalty, companionship and family, so it’s not surprising that they’re one of the most popular tattoo ideas for men. If you’re looking for a tattoo that represents your relationships with others in your life, wolf tattoos are a great stylish option.
Christian Tattoo
Aside from crosses, there are a whole load of Christian tattoos that you can get to show off your faith. If there’s a Bible verse that means a lot to you, or religious iconography that you find important, get it inked on your body. There’s a variety of styles and sizes to choose from, so enjoy searching through all the best Christian tattoo ideas to find what works for you.
Scorpio Tattoo
Whether or not your star sign is Scorpio, a scorpion tattoo makes an emphatic statement. This fierce, powerful creature is fit for a powerful tattoo that looks impressive no matter where it’s placed.
American Flag Tattoo
Show off your nationality, or your love for the US, with an American flag tattoo. Whether in full color or black and white, American flag tattoo designs are instantly recognizable and will mark you as a true patriot. You can have anything from a huge flag covering your whole back to a smaller flag on your arm or leg.
Grim Reaper Tattoo
The grim reaper represents death and dying, and won’t be a tattoo for everyone. However, it can be a reminder that life is precious and to appreciate and accept it. If you’ve made your peace with the idea of death being a part of life, say it with a tattoo depicting the grim reaper.
Celtic Tattoo
Celtic tattoos look impressive with their intricate designs and can go from bold to delicate depending on your precise needs. Perhaps you’re looking for something to represent your Celtic heritage, or Celtic bravery and strength. With a classic Celtic design, it’s hard to go wrong.
Demon Tattoo
The inverse of an angel, demon tattoos can showcase your darker side, or an interest in the occult. These can work well alongside angel tattoos, representing the two sides to everyone, or can be equally as effective on their own.
Star War Tattoo
If you love Star Wars, show how much you enjoy the franchise with a Star Wars tattoo. You can get inked with your favorite character, quote, or scene. Whether you want a small or large tattoo, explore cool Star Wars tattoo ideas to create your own design.
3D Tattoo
If you really want to stand out from the crowd, get a 3D tattoo. You’ll have to find an extremely talented artist for these, but all the effort is worth it when you see the cool result. These are often quite large pieces, so be prepared for the commitment.
Biomechanical Tattoo
Biomechanical tattoos need a talented, dedicated artist for best results, but they look amazing when finished. For a realistic tattoo with a science-fiction twist, check out the best biomechanical designs and become part-man, part-machine.
Music Tattoo
If you’re passionate about music, there are a lot of options for you. If you play an instrument, music notes or the instrument itself will look great. Alternatively, consider getting your favorite band’s logo or a lyric that means a lot to you.
Feather Tattoo
Feather tattoos are fashionable and timeless. One of the most popular options for men, they look great anywhere on the body and work well as both a large piece and a smaller filler design.
Crown Tattoo
These tattoos will make you feel like royalty. Your crown can be embellished with whatever you like, to give you a personalized tattoo that’s fit for a king. Many people like to get matching crown tattoos with their partner, representing a king and a queen.
King and Queen Tattoo
Like with crown tattoos, king and queen tattoos work great as matching tattoos with your partner. Symbolizing the power and respect that comes with being royalty, king and queen tattoos are a stylish way of showing that you belong at the very top of society.
Samurai Warrior Tattoo
If you’re looking for a tattoo that represents strength, bravery and masculinity, a samurai warrior tattoo would be ideal. These warriors valued respect, courage and loyalty, and if you share these values, you could get one of these tattoos.
Norse God Tattoo
There are a lot of possibilities when you decide to get a Norse God tattoo. If you have Norse ancestry, or admire the bravery and spirit of the Vikings, then showcase it with a cool Norse Viking Warrior tattoo on the arm, shoulder or chest.
Where To Get A Tattoo
Even when you’ve decided on your tattoo, it can be difficult to decide where to put it. Some tattoos will go anywhere, like your forearm or leg, but when it comes to places like your neck, some careful consideration is needed.
Sleeve Tattoo
Sleeve tattoos are popular, and almost any style or design will be a good fit. Whether you’d like a tribal design, something traditional or even a bio-mechanical tattoo, your sleeve is one of the best places for you to express yourself. Plus, guys can always choose between a half and full sleeve tattoo piece depending on how much of their arm they want inked.
Shoulder Tattoo
More discreet than a sleeve, shoulder tattoos can be bold and expressive but are also easy to cover up when necessary. Artistic and tribal designs can work well with the rounded shape of the shoulder – if the tattoo is going to wrap, make sure the design will be a good fit.
Chest Tattoo
Easy to cover up, chest tattoos are one of the most popular for men. The large surface area is great for intricate, masculine designs that you may not want to risk on other areas of your body. Get a small and simple chest piece or go all out with the coolest ideas.
Back Tattoo
The one thing about back tattoos is that you can’t easily see them yourself. However, you can showcase your ink to everyone behind you, and there’s a lot of space to work with.
Forearm Tattoo
If you don’t mind who’ll see your tattoo, have it on your forearm to maximize attention. Wear a t-shirt and your forearm tattoo will be on display for everyone to see. With so many cool designs available, you really have a chance to flex your creative muscles and come up with some unique ideas.
Leg Tattoo
Get a leg tattoo and you can display your ink when it’s warmer. Your legs are ideal for tattoos as you can cover them up when necessary as well as get a variety of designs on them.
Thigh Tattoo
Thigh tattoos are easy to hide but can look great. However, be wary of tattoos stretching if you put on weight; it can make them warp and look misshapen. Nevertheless, guys will love all the awesome thigh tattoo ideas so definitely spend the time to explore these cool designs.
Wrist Tattoo
It’s best to get smaller, more simple designs on your wrist. Things like symbols are best, as your wrist is instantly visible and there isn’t a lot of space to work with.
Arm Tattoo
Your arms are one of the most versatile body parts when it comes to tattoos. Any shape, size or style will be a good fit as an arm tattoo. Moreover, you can either cover your arm or choose to concentrate on a particular section.
Ankle Tattoo
Like your wrist, small and simple works best on your ankle. Particularly if you wear sneakers or shoes without socks, or cuff your pants, you’ll be able to show off your tattoo.
Hand Tattoo
Hand tattoos are pretty visible, and can be susceptible to fading due to their placement on the body. However, intricate designs and simple patterns alike look very effective on your hands.
Neck Tattoo
A variety of designs are well suited for neck tattoos, but it’s important to be wary. They will be a turn-off to many potential employers, so you should consider your career before getting any ink on your neck.
Face Tattoo
Even more extreme than neck tattoos, face tattoos should be considered with caution. Yes, simple designs and minimalist symbols can look great as face tattoos, but you’ll have to weigh up whether or not it’s really worth it.
Rib Tattoo
Be warned, getting your sides or ribs tattooed will hurt. But the pain is worth it, as rib tattoos are fashionable and cool-looking. You also get to prove to people that you can withstand the pain, when you show off your stylish new ink.
