Tattoo Pain Chart: How Much Does Getting a Tattoo Hurt?

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When you tell people you got a tattoo, they tend to ask two things first: what does it look like and how much did it hurt. Tattoos and pain go hand in hand and our tattoo pain chart tool gives you a better idea of what you can expect depending on where you’re getting inked. Simply answer a few questions to get helpful information for your appointment.

Tattoo pain is something that gets people really talking. For some people, it can be a worrying prospect but a necessary part of getting a tattoo. For others, it can actually make them feel good and be welcomed and somewhat addictive. Whether you’re a total tattoo aficionado, an artist, or considering your first one, it’s nice to know what to expect.

If you’re here, you’re probably wondering exactly that: what’s it going to feel like? I’m going to detail all of the sensations you might experience, including some of the more painful ones. I’ll also share some useful ideas on how to minimise the pain of getting a tattoo, including before, during and after.

The main thing is to not worry. If you want a tattoo, but are worried about the pain, you will manage. There are so many ways around it these days, including reviewing a detailed tattoo pain chart to choose the best location. So you don’t need to be one of those people with a finer line between pleasure and pain.

Why Does Getting a Tattoo Hurt?

Getting a tattoo does hurt, but really, it’s varying by individual. You just have to bear it, and where you get tattooed and how bad it hurts may make it feel like a very small pinch or much worse.

So why’s it so different?

The tattoo needle stings your skin and deposits ink into the layer beneath it. For some people, it may hurt a little bit, and a variety of things may make it hurt more or less, such as:

• Where you’re having it done
• Your individual pain tolerance
• Your tattoo artist’s skill
• The detail of your tattoo
• If you have thick or thin skin
• How much pain you’re used to with tattoos or otherwise
• If you have sensitive skin in particular areas

If you know all this information, and use a tattoo pain chart, it can really help you prepare yourself for the experience.

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What Does Tattoo Pain Feel Like?

One of the things a tattoo pain chart helps you recognise is not just where you’re going to get pain, but how much you can expect. It can also help you understand what the pain in that specific area is going to feel like.

Here are some examples of pain often associated with specific tattoo placement:

1. Burning Pain

It’s similar to this wild intense, hot burning sensation when you’ve had a terrible sunburn.

2. Background Pain or Dull Pain

The nagging, throbbing hurt that becomes real during those longer sessions. This is pretty common when you’re getting a large or intricate tattoo.

3. Scratching Pain

It has a sensation similar to if a cat scratches you or if you rub against some sandpaper.

4. Sharp or Stinging Pain

This one is going to strike suddenly. It might remind you of being stung by a bee or getting pricked by a needle. This one can be determined by how sharp the tattoo’ needle is and how it’s being applied to your skin. Tender areas of your body or areas with thin skin are usually more susceptible to sharp or stinging pain.

5. Vibrating Pain

You’re going to feel this pain, kind of like a buzzing feeling, when you get a tattoo in an area that’s close to your bone. Places like hands, shoulders and feet, depending on how much flesh or fatty tissue is stored there.

It might also help to hear about tattoo pain from people who’ve gotten tattoos on various parts of their bodies. I recommend watching this video on YouTube, where real people describe the pain.

My biggest takeaway from this is that the pain that comes with getting a tattoo is going to be different for pretty much everyone. This is because we all have different amounts of fatty tissue and pain thresholds.

Just remember that most of the pain will be gone as soon as tattooing is complete. Sometimes reminding yourself that the pain is temporary can keep you calm. And remember, communicating with your tattoo artist is important. They should be able to give you additional guidance and adjustments to make everything as comfortable as possible.

Is Your First Tattoo Going to be Your Most Painful?

Not necessarily. As Cosmopolitan covered back in 2022, and as I’ve mentioned above, tattoo pain depends on various factors. One of the biggest ones is the part of your body you’re getting inked.

So let’s say you get your first tattoo on your ankle, that could be pretty painful because it’s a sensitive area close to the bone. Likewise with rib cage tattoo pain. But if you get your first tattoo somewhere more fleshy or not so sensitive, it might be one of your least painful tattoos compared to others in the future.

People often describe an initial shock when they get their first one. The anticipation and worry about the pain can sometimes cause this shock. And what comes after might not be so bad. In fact, it’s usually not for most people. Many find it manageable and some of them even kind of like it.

There’s also usually a rush of adrenalin, either during or definitely after getting a tattoo. The adrenalin during can come from doing something painful, while afterwards it might come from feeling a sense of accomplishment or pride.

I think it’s best to walk into that studio feeling confident and positive. Remind yourself that you’re working with a professional and they should be able to field any concerns you have.

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Can You Withstand Tattoo Pain?

Yeah 100%. You wouldn’t see so many people getting about with tattoos if the pain was completely unmanageable. As I mentioned, adrenalin and endorphins can distract you from the pain. Your own mindset is also a powerful tool for numbing the pain. I mean, if you think you’re really going to struggle with it, you can also apply a tattoo numbing cream.

If you’re worried about not being able to withstand the pain for long, it might be a good idea to start out with a small tattoo. At least then you won’t need to be in the chair for long. If afterwards, you feel like you could’ve gone for longer, you can always get a bigger tattoo next time.

What Does the Tattoo Pain Chart Tell Us?

The tattoo pain chart is a general overview of where you might feel pain when getting a tattoo. It gives us a rough idea of how that pain may differ depending on the area of your body.

However, it should only ever be used as a guide and not taken as gospel, as it were. People’s bodies are so different and our experiences with tattoo pain vary greatly. So one of your body parts might be more painful to tattoo than presented on the chart. With that said, it is pretty common that people experience more pain in areas with less flesh, closer bones and higher nerve endings.

Tattoo pain chart for men (Illustration by Wenzdai Figueroa)

Most Painful Areas According to the Tattoo Pain Chart

Ribcage and Sternum

Proximity to bones and thin skin increase sensitivity in these parts, so expect a high level of pain. Rib cage tattoo pain can also be a sharp or stinging pain.

Ankles and Shins

Thin skin over the bony areas is going to produce additional discomfort.

Elbows and Kneecaps

Tattooing directly over these bones is going to bring on some strong pain.

Armpits

Believe it or not, our armpits have a lot of nerve endings. So get ready for some painful sensations if you’re getting armpit tattoos.

Spine

Your skin is thin, the spinal bones are protruding and the pain is going to come rushing in because of it. 

Breasts & Groin

You have a lot of nerves in breasts and around the groin area, which can heighten pain.

Head, Face & Ears

Can be quite painful because the skin is really thin and there are a lot of nerve endings.

Hands and Fingers

Yep those hands and fingers are full of nerve endings, which can bring on a sharp or stinging pain. Keep this in mind for hand tattoos.

Feet and Toes

Pretty much for the same reason as hands and fingers. You’ve got nerve endings, bones and thin skin to work with.

Inside Lip

Inside lip tattoos are notorious for being some of the most painful. Some people embrace them as a test of resilience, while many others steer clear of them. It’s the nerve endings that make it so hard to endure. Here are some more thoughts on whether inside lip tattoos are worth the pain.

Tattoo pain chart for women (Illustration by Wenzdai Figueroa)

Moderately Bad Areas According to the Tattoo Pain Chart

Chest

Your chest, particularly the sternum, has a fair amount of sensitivity because it’s close to the bone. Chest tattoo pain can vary depending on where you’re getting inked.

Stomach

People can’t really agree on stomach tattoo pain. It’s good, it’s bad, it kind of depends on your body. I’ve left it here because on average it can be pretty painful.

Inner Bicep

Again, similar to the stomach, you may or may not get pain here. Inner bicep tattoo pain really depends on your body.

Bicep

It’s got a nice amount of fat and nerve endings, so getting a tattoo there isn’t always so bad.

Lower Back

This area’s got a mix of fat and muscle, so it’s sort of a medium pain area.

Hips

This is another one that really depends on your body. Some people have enough fat in this area to make the pain not so bad. Others don’t have much fat and a lot of bone, which is a recipe for more pain when getting a tattoo.

Least Painful Areas According to the Tattoo Pain Chart

Outer Thigh

Plenty of cushioning and fewer nerve endings here, so it’s pretty tolerable most of the time. Thigh tattoo pain is actually one of the most forgiving, usually.

Forearm

A forearm tattoo is generally quite bearable and does not hurt very much, because it has thicker skin and fewer nerve endings.

Outer Shoulders

There’s more muscle here, so it’s going to be less sensitive.

Outer Bicep

Same as the forearm, you’ve got more muscle and cushioning here.

Calves

Plenty of meat and muscle to reduce the pain.

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What Can Influence Your Tattoo Pain and Tolerance?

I think we’ve covered some of these earlier, but let’s take a look quickly at some of the things that can affect individual pain tolerance when it comes to tattoos. It really comes down to eight main factors:

1. Tattoo placement

I’ve covered all the different areas and their pain levels above. It’s also what our tattoo pain chart tool will help you learn when you answer the prompts, including the location and description of your body area.

2. Your individual pain tolerance

Yep, unfortunately this is different for everyone and personal pain threshold can come down to genetics and how you perceive needles or tattoos.

3. Your mental state

If you manage your feelings of anxiety or fear around tattoo pain, you might find it reduces the physical sensation.

4. Your tattoo artist

Tattoo artists are human, so their techniques differ. Some artists have techniques that cause less pain than others, while others are a bit heavy handed. An experienced tattoo artist will typically cause less pain than an inexperienced one.

5. Tattoo size and intricacy

The longer it takes to do your tattoo, the more pain you may be required to deal with. That’s why big and detailed upper arm tattoos can actually be somewhat painful.

6. Your physical state

It can actually help reduce pain if you make sure you’ve eaten and drunk enough before your appointment.

7. Age and weight

Older skin can be more sensitive. More fat or muscle can reduce the pain, but also stretched skin can be more sensitive. Skinnier people may feel more pain due to more exposure of their bones. So it really can swing back and forth here.

8. Your experience with tattoos

Like most things in life, we can develop a tolerance to tattoo pain over time. Maybe you’re used to a sharp needle or the vibrating sensation of the tattoo gun. If so, it might be a walk in the park.

How Can You Manage Tattoo Pain?

I want to share some ways to manage your tattoo pain both during and after your tattooing session. This can help reduce pain in those areas highlighted in the tattoo pain chart as being very painful.

Advice for reducing pain during your tattoo session

1. Make sure you’re physically prepared

By this I mean eat healthy foods, stay hydrated and be sure to get plenty of rest the night before. All of these things can help improve your pain tolerance. Hush Aesthetic recommends eating high-protein foods and whole grains about two hours before your session.

2. Use mental strategies

You can rely on breathing techniques (deep, long breaths) or visualisation practices to help keep you calm and distracted during the process. You can also try positive affirmations to stop yourself from becoming too caught up in the pain.

3. Have a chat with your artist

Man, these artists are incredible. Most of them can create a work of art while holding a conversation. Don’t worry about distracting them, unless they say otherwise. Many tattoo artists are happy to chat while they work. You also should feel okay to ask them about any pain concerns, too. Also to request breaks whenever you need.

4. Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol beforehand

It might be tempting to have that cappuccino or beer before your session, but it’s better if you don’t. Both caffeine and alcohol can heighten sensitivity, which means more pain.

5. Download a podcast or tv show

If you want to let your artist get into the zone, just switch on a podcast or a tv show on your phone. It’s a great way to tune into something enjoyable and tune out of the pain.

6. Apply a numbing agent

There are numerous numbing agents out there that are recommended for tattoos. Always discuss this with your tattoo artist first before committing to one. Sometimes artists prefer to use lidocaine injections or nerve blockers. But always check with your doctor before you use one of those.

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Advice for reducing pain after your tattoo

If everything all goes well, the pain you feel after you tattoo should be much less as the skin heals. But there are still some good techniques for managing this pain. Read our article on how to take care of a tattoo for more information.

1. Use soothing ointments

Topical ointments and pain-relieving gels are really handy for reducing after-pain. Check the ointment with your artist first to make sure it’s not going to harm the tattoo in any way.

2. Keep it clean, moisturized and out of the sun

I mean, this is just proper aftercare for tattoos isn’t it. Make sure you’re cleaning your tattoo properly, moisturizing it with a thin layer of recommended ointment, and protecting it from the sun. Doing this can ensure the healing process goes smoothly.

3. Use a cold compress and pain meds 

If there’s a lot of swelling in the area, a cold compress can help reduce it. You might also need over-the-counter pain meds to alleviate the inflammation and pain.

4. Wear loose clothing

Keep the area around the skin away from any agitating materials. Loose clothing is good for this one. It can prevent any friction that may irritate the area.

What if You’re Afraid of Needles?

If you’ve got a fear of needles, I recommend a few things to help you get into that chair:

1. Educate yourself on the tattooing process to better understand how different a tattoo gun is to the needles you’re used to.
2. Chat about it with your tattoo artist so they can help you feel more reassured about the process.
3. Practice those relaxation and distraction techniques we’ve talked about a little earlier.
4. Start small so you can get used to the tattoo experience and face your fear slowly.

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Some Final Thoughts on the Tattoo Pain Chart and Tattoo Pain in General

Remember, the pain and aftercare are part of the journey to having a beautiful tattoo. Enjoy the process and the results! Having a tattoo is great, and the hurt isn’t so bad depending on where you get it and how you cope with it. If you know what to expect, you’ll be fine, both physically and mentally.

All of it, from that initial little pinch to how you care for it after, makes all the difference in your tattoo experience. Okay, so yes, certain areas of your body definitely hurt more than others, but come on, that amazing tattoo is definitely worth it. As long as you follow the aftercare procedures and employ a few tricks to manage the pain, you’ll be healed in no time and ready to show off your new tattoo.

When it comes to the tattoo pain chart, everyone’s different, which is why our tool asks you questions specific to your mental and physical state. Make sure you’re getting your tattoo in a relaxed and stress-free environment. And manage your pain appropriately during and after your session.

And remember, what may feel really intense to one individual may feel totally relaxed to another person. So don’t hesitate to let your artist know if the pain is too much. Sometimes a break to drink water or have a snack can help. Chill out, take care of yourself and everything will be okay.

Are you looking for a free tattoo design tool to get ideas for your first or next in? Try our AI tattoo generator for inspiration. It’s free to use and creates great designs to get you started.