Tattoo size chart
updated
Tattoos are measured by their longest side. As a rough guide, small pieces are 2–8 cm (1–3 in), medium pieces 8–15 cm (3–6 in), and large pieces 15 cm (6 in) and up, but the same size reads very differently by placement: 10 cm is large on a wrist and small on a back. The table gives typical ranges for each area.
Typical sizes by placement
| Placement | Small | Medium | Large / full area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inner wrist | 2–4 cm (1–1.5 in) | 4–6 cm (1.5–2.5 in) | n/a |
| Ankle | 2–4 cm (1–1.5 in) | 4–7 cm (1.5–3 in) | n/a |
| Forearm (inner or outer) | 3–8 cm (1–3 in) | 10–15 cm (4–6 in) | 15–20 cm (6–8 in), wrist to elbow |
| Upper arm | 5–8 cm (2–3 in) | 8–15 cm (3–6 in) | 15–25 cm (6–10 in) |
| Calf | 5–8 cm (2–3 in) | 8–15 cm (3–6 in) | 15–25 cm (6–10 in) |
| Chest (one side) | 8–10 cm (3–4 in) | 10–15 cm (4–6 in) | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) across both sides |
| Ribs / side | 7–10 cm (3–4 in) | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Thigh | 7–12 cm (3–5 in) | 12–20 cm (5–8 in) | 20–35 cm (8–14 in) |
| Upper back | under 10 cm (4 in) | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) | 20–40 cm (8–16 in), full back |
How small can a tattoo be?
Small is fine for simple shapes. The limit is detail: over the years ink spreads slightly under the skin, so lines drawn very close together merge and small lettering fills in. If a design has fine detail, go up a size or simplify it.
The same size on different placements
On a forearm, 10 cm runs almost half the way from wrist to elbow. On a back, the same piece is a small mark between the shoulder blades. Choose the size for the placement, not for the design.
How to measure it on yourself
Lay a tape along the spot, following the curve of the skin, not in a straight line through the air. Mark the two ends with a pen. Then try the design at that size on a body in plan.tattoo and turn it to see the wrap.
Sources: Sydney Tattoo Convention: tattoo size and body part guide · Bosphorus Ink: tattoo size and placement guide · Skin Design Tattoos: tattoo sizing guide · Black Hat Tattoo: how small can lettering go · Vatican Tattoo Studio: why micro tattoos blur