Getting your first tattoo? Or maybe you’re adding to your collection? Either way, one of the most common questions people ask is, “How much is this going to hurt?” That’s where the tattoo pain chart comes in. This visual guide breaks down which parts of the body are more painful to tattoo, helping you mentally prepare before getting inked. In this post, we’ll explore the tattoo pain chart, focusing on the areas highlighted in the pain chart, and share some tips for managing the pain like a pro.

What is a Tattoo Pain Chart?

A tattoo pain chart visually maps out how much pain you can expect to feel on different parts of your body during a tattoo session. It ranges from least painful (shown in light blue) to most painful (shown in dark green) based on factors like skin sensitivity, nerve endings, and proximity to bones.

What Influences Tattoo Pain?

Tattoo pain isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” experience—what feels like a small sting to one person could feel like a deep burn to another. Several key factors play a role in how much pain you might feel during your tattoo session. Understanding these factors can help you choose the right spot for your next ink and prepare mentally for what’s ahead.

Nerve Density

The number of nerve endings in a particular area has a huge impact on how much pain you’ll feel. Areas like your hands, feet, face, and groin are packed with nerves, which is why they rank high on the pain chart. More nerve endings mean that every needle poke is going to send a stronger signal to your brain, translating to more discomfort. On the flip side, areas like your upper arms and thighs, which have fewer nerve endings, tend to hurt less.

Example: Think about how sensitive the soles of your feet are. Tickling them might make you jump—now imagine a tattoo needle there! That’s why feet are considered highly painful, while a spot like your upper arm is much more tolerable.

Skin Thickness

Thicker skin generally provides a bit more of a barrier between the tattoo needle and your nerves, which can help reduce pain. On the other hand, areas with thin skin are more likely to hurt because the needle is working closer to the nerves and bones underneath. Spots like your ribs, collarbones, and wrists have thinner skin, making them more sensitive to the needle. In contrast, areas like your calves or upper thighs have thicker skin, making the process easier to handle.

Example: The skin on your forearm is much thicker than the skin on your ribs. This is why tattooing your forearm feels like a mild irritation, while the same tattoo on your ribs might feel sharp and intense.

Bone Proximity

The closer a tattoo is to the bone, the more it’s going to hurt. When there’s little to no fat or muscle between your skin and the bone, the vibrations from the tattoo machine tend to amplify, causing a more intense sensation. Areas like your elbows, knees, ribs, and spine are particularly painful because there’s not much cushion between the skin and the bone. As a result, each needle poke reverberates through your bones, creating that “deep ache” feeling.

Example: Imagine the difference between tapping your thigh versus your shin. The fleshier thigh absorbs the pressure, while hitting your shin sends shock waves right through your leg. That’s why tattoos on bony areas like shins, ribs, and elbows are notoriously uncomfortable.

Fat Padding

Fatty areas like your thighs, buttocks, and outer arms tend to absorb the impact of the needle better than areas with less fat. The extra padding acts like a cushion, dampening the sensation of the needle and making these areas less painful to tattoo. The chart typically shows these regions in lighter blue, representing lower pain levels. However, even in padded areas, the amount of pain can vary based on your body’s unique anatomy.

Example: A tattoo on your outer thigh or buttocks might feel like mild discomfort, while a tattoo on your wrist (where there’s less fat) might feel sharper and more stinging. This is because the fat in padded areas helps to diffuse the sensation of the needle.

By knowing how these factors—nerve density, skin thickness, bone proximity, and fat padding—impact pain, you can better choose a tattoo placement that aligns with your pain tolerance level. Of course, everyone’s pain threshold is different, so what feels excruciating for one person might be a breeze for another!

Tattoo Pain Chart Breakdown

Low Pain Areas (Least Painful)

The upper arm is one of the least painful spots to get a tattoo, as highlighted by the lighter blue shading in the infographic. The skin in this area is thicker, with plenty of muscle to cushion the pain, making it an ideal choice for beginners. Similarly, the forearm is another well-padded location, as indicated by the light blue color on both male and female pain charts. This makes the forearm a popular choice for those new to tattooing. The calves are also shaded in light blue, signaling that they are another low-pain area. The thick skin and muscle in this part of the leg make getting a tattoo here more comfortable compared to other body parts.

Moderate Pain Areas

The shoulders fall into the moderate pain category, with the outer shoulder displaying a light blue to light green gradient in the chart. This indicates mild discomfort, but as you move closer to the shoulder blades—where the skin is thinner and marked in darker blue—the pain increases slightly. The front of the thighs is relatively painless, as shown by the lighter color in the diagram. However, as you move toward the inner thigh, which is shaded a deeper blue-green, the discomfort intensifies due to the thinness of the skin and its increased sensitivity. The upper back, which appears light to medium blue, suggests moderate discomfort. The pain can increase, especially in areas closer to the spine, where the bones are near the skin’s surface and are represented by darker blue-green shades.

High Pain Areas

Tattooing the ribs is one of the most painful experiences, as shown by the dark green shading in both male and female figures. The ribs have thin skin and lack fat padding, making this one of the most challenging spots to ink. Similarly, the ankles and feet are represented in green in the info-graphic, indicating high levels of pain. These areas have minimal fat and muscle, bringing the needle closer to the bone, which heightens discomfort. The elbows and knees also fall into the high-pain category, with dark green shading. Their bony structure and thin skin make these joints especially painful to tattoo.

Very High Pain Areas (Most Painful)

Among the most painful areas to tattoo are the head and face, both shaded in dark green. These regions have a high concentration of nerve endings and very thin skin, making each needle prick more intense. The spine is another highly painful area, marked in dark green on the male pain chart. Tattooing along the spine is particularly uncomfortable due to the thin skin and its proximity to the spinal bones. The groin area, for both males and females, is also highlighted in dark green, indicating that this is one of the most painful spots to get a tattoo. This is due to the high density of nerve endings and the thinness of the skin in this sensitive region.

Tips for Managing Tattoo Pain

No matter where you choose to get your tattoo, some level of pain is inevitable. However, there are several strategies to manage the discomfort. Staying relaxed is crucial, as anxiety can amplify the sensation of pain. Taking deep breaths and trying to remain calm during the session can help. Choosing a skilled and experienced tattoo artist is also important, as they often have a lighter hand, which can make the process less painful. Don’t be afraid to ask your artist to take short breaks if the pain becomes too intense. Additionally, you may want to consider using numbing cream, but always consult your tattoo artist beforehand. Lastly, staying hydrated before and after your session helps keep your skin supple and may ease the process.

Conclusion

Getting a tattoo is an exciting and personal experience, but understanding the pain involved can help make the journey smoother. The tattoo pain chart provides valuable insights into what areas may cause more discomfort and why certain spots hurt more than others. While pain is part of the process, it’s important to remember that each person’s pain tolerance is different, and several factors—like nerve density, skin thickness, and bone proximity—play a role in how much you’ll feel.

By familiarizing yourself with the pain chart, you can make informed decisions about where to place your tattoo and how to prepare for the experience. Whether you opt for a less painful area like your upper arm or decide to brave a highly sensitive spot like your ribs, the key is to stay calm, trust a skilled artist, and use the right pain management strategies. In the end, the temporary discomfort fades, leaving behind a beautiful piece of art that will stay with you for life.

So, take your time, choose the perfect spot, and embrace the process. Your tattoo is a reflection of you, and the reward far outweighs the momentary sting.