What Are the Least Painful Places to Get a Tattoo? A First-Timer's Guide

You're ready to get a tattoo. You have a design in mind, you're saving up, but there's one big hurdle that can cause a lot of anxiety: the fear of the unknown pain. While it's true that all tattoos come with some level of sensation, the location you choose can be the difference between a mildly annoying scratch and an intensely painful experience.

If you're looking for the perfect spot for a first tattoo, or you just want to add a new piece with as little discomfort as possible, this is your guide to the least painful places on the body to get tattooed.

Before we dive in, here’s the golden rule of tattoo pain: More flesh, less pain. Areas with more muscle, more fat, and thicker skin will almost always hurt less than bony areas with thin skin.

Choosing the Right Size for Your First Tattoo

If the thought of tattoo pain has you hesitating, don't worry—you're not alone. For first-timers especially, it's wise to start small. Opt for a design that's small to medium in size; this allows you to get a real feel for the process without committing to hours in the chair. You’ll get to test your comfort level while still walking away with a meaningful piece of art. Once you know how your body—and nerves—handle the experience, you can confidently plan for larger pieces down the road.

Does Gender Make a Difference in Tattoo Pain?

You might also wonder if gender plays a role when it comes to tattoo pain. The answer: sometimes, yes—but it’s mostly about anatomy rather than biology. Men and women often carry muscle and fat differently in certain areas. For example, women may have more fatty tissue on the thighs or hips, which can mean those spots are a bit less sensitive for them compared to men. Conversely, areas where muscle or fat is naturally thinner—regardless of gender—tend to sting a bit more.

Of course, everyone’s body is unique, so these are general guidelines rather than hard-and-fast rules. Your individual build will impact how much discomfort you feel on different parts of your body. The best approach? Choose a placement with ample cushion (like the outer arm or upper thigh), and you’ll set yourself up for an easier ride.

The Top 5 Least Painful Tattoo Placements

Here are the top contenders for the most tolerable tattoo spots, ranked from least to most painful (though all are on the lower end of the scale).

1. The Outer Arm (Bicep and Forearm)

• Pain Level: 2-4/10

• Why it's easy: This is the king of low-pain tattoo spots. The outer bicep and forearm are packed with muscle and have thick skin with relatively few nerve endings. It’s a stable, easy canvas for the artist and a very tolerable spot for the client. The pain is often described as a constant, low-level scratching sensation.

2. The Thighs (Front and Outer)

• Pain Level: 3-5/10

• Why it's easy: Your thighs are another sweet spot, thanks to a generous layer of fat and large muscles. The skin is not overly sensitive, making it a great choice for larger pieces that you want to sit comfortably for. The pain level only starts to increase as you move toward the more sensitive inner thigh.

3. The Calves

• Pain Level: 4-6/10

• Why it's easy: The back and sides of your calves are well-padded with the gastrocnemius muscle. It's a very popular spot for a first medium-sized tattoo for this reason. Be aware that the pain increases significantly as you get closer to the shin bone in the front or the sensitive ditch behind the knee.

4. The Shoulders

• Pain Level: 4-6/10

• Why it's easy: The fleshy part on the top of your shoulder has a decent amount of padding over the bone, making it a relatively comfortable spot. It's a classic placement for a reason. The pain only becomes more intense as you move directly onto the collarbone.

5. The Fleshy Parts of the Back

• Pain Level: 5-7/10

• Why it's (relatively) easy: The wide, fleshy areas of your upper and lower back—away from the spine, shoulder blades, and hips—have thick skin and can be surprisingly manageable. The further you move from the bone, the less intense the pain becomes.

What If Your Dream Tattoo Isn't in an "Easy" Spot?

So you've reviewed the list, but the tattoo you've been dreaming of is on your ribs, foot, or another one of those notoriously high-pain areas. Does that mean you have to give up on it or just prepare to endure hours of agony?

Absolutely not. This is where modern pain management changes the game.

If you really want to stay far away from pain, don’t choose your hands, wrists, ankles, stomach, or armpits as tattoo territory. These spots are infamous for their sensitivity—thin skin, lots of nerve endings, and not much padding. But let’s be real: sometimes your perfect design belongs exactly in one of those “ouch!” zones, like the side of your ribs, the top of your foot, or even the inside of your wrist.

You don't have to limit your artistic vision to only the "easy" spots. Our No Pain Tattoo Numbing Cream is designed to level the playing field. It can turn a notoriously painful 9/10 spot like the ribs or feet into a much more manageable 3/10 experience.

So, whether you’re placing your ink on a classic, fleshy canvas or bravely claiming one of the more sensitive zones, you have options.

And even if you are getting a tattoo on an "easy" spot like the forearm, our numbing cream can make a 3/10 pain level feel like a 0/10, allowing you to completely relax and enjoy the process without any pain or anxiety. It gives you the freedom to put your art wherever you truly want it.

The Verdict: With a long, beautiful Portland weekend ahead, it's the perfect time to plan that new piece. Choosing a fleshy, well-padded area is the best natural defense against tattoo pain. But whether you choose an easy spot or decide to brave a tougher one with a little help, don't let the fear of pain hold you back. Your new art is waiting.