Tattoo Pain Scale: What to Expect for Different Body Parts

3 min readSep 16, 2024

Getting a tattoo is both considered thrilling and quite a nerve-wracking experience, especially for the first time. The most common thing that keeps people concerned is the level of pain involved in getting a tattoo. The pain tolerance differs from person to person; however, some areas of the body are generally more sensitive than others. This guide will help one understand what to expect while getting tattooed in various areas of one’s body.

Understanding the Pain Scale

Before we begin with specific parts of the body, we need to emphasize that pain experienced due to a tattoo is subjective. On the spectrum from 1 to 10-where 1 is barely traceable and 10 is unbearable- we have:

1–3: Mild discomfort
4–6: Moderate pain
7–8: High pain
9–10: Extreme pain

Again, a gentle reminder that this too may differ from individual to individual.

Least Painful Areas (1–3)

Upper Outer Arm

The outer bicep is one of the least painful areas to get tattooed, with its thick skin and muscle being more annoyingly painful than actually painful.

Forearm

Similar to the upper arm, this area has relatively thick skin and fewer nerve endings, making it a good placement for a first time tattoo.

Outer Thigh

The outer thigh is also one of those places which is padded with fat and muscle. This lessens the intensity of the process.

Moderately Painful Areas (4–6)

Inner Bicep

While still relatively manageable, the inner bicep is thinner-skinned than the outer arm, thus sometimes more sensitive.

Calf

There is a good amount of muscle on the calf, but it can be more painful than the thigh, especially along the ankle.

Chest

Pain on the chest varies widely depending on proximity to the sternum and nipples. Areas with more muscle are generally less painful.

High Pain Areas (7–8)

Ribcage

The rib cage is one of the most painful areas because there is no fat and muscle, and with every breath, there is movement.

Ankles and Shins

The skin over these bony areas is thin and tends to be more painful to get tattooed.

Shoulders and Collarbone

For the most part, shoulders have enough flesh on them to make getting a tattoo here relatively less painful; however, once you work your way to the collarbone area, it can get pretty sensitive.

Extreme Pain Areas 9–10

Hands, feet, and fingers

These areas have a lot of nerve endings and a small amount of fat, which allows them to be among the most painful tattooing areas.

Face and Head

The face and head are very sensitive because of the high concentration of nerve endings in the skin.

Armpit

Thin and sensitive skin, along with the excessive number of nerve endings, fills the armpit as one of the most painful places for tattooing.

factors Affecting Pain

Several factors can determine how much pain you will go through or feel during a session of getting a tattoo:

Your pain threshold

The expertise of the tattoo artist
The size and intricateness of the tattoo
Your mental state, stress levels
Whether you have had your meal and are hydrated
Managing Tattoo Pain

While some discomfort isn’t totally avoidable, there are ways to manage pain due to a tattoo session:

Choose a less painful area for your first tattoo
Use a numbing cream-first consult with your artist
Stay hydrated and eat before your session
Practice deep breathing or meditation techniques
Distract yourself with music or conversation

Keep in mind, too, that the pain isn’t going to last, but the art will. Many feel it’s well worth the discomfort. If you’re truly concerned about pain, talk to your tattoo artist about your options. They can advise you best on your particular design and placement.

Ready to get started on your tattoo journey? Schedule a consultation with one of our experienced artists to discuss your idea and any pain-related concerns.

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