Top 75 Finger Tattoo Ideas - [2020 Inspiration Guide]

From complicated to simple in design, finger tattoos are paving the way for an ever-evolving creative talent. Though, as you can expect, your bony fingers are more than just hard to ink, they’re painful too thanks to a bunch of nerve endings.

Of course, there’s the fading from constant exposure and contact as well. However, if that doesn’t stop you from getting one, your tattoo artist just might.

In today’s times, finger tattoos are part of the list of 50+ best tattoo ideas , but some still view them as job stoppers. It’s the one part of your body you simply can’t hide. Which means if you’re not heavily inked, it’s going to take some serious consideration before making a commitment. Unless you’re getting a ring tattoo to honor your marriage, you may just be out of luck when you visit your local tattoo parlor to make an appointment.

Read on for our gallery of the top 75 best finger tattoo design ideas for men. In this masculine collection you’ll find some of the coolest designs and ideas in the world, from symbols, to matching tattoo, black ink lettering and more.

Even abstract and more artistic styles have made their way into this men’s guide to cool finger tattoo ideas.

1. Extended Finger Tattoos

Some of the most intricate and detailed finger tattoos are extended finger tattoos that continue up the hand to make a larger, more dynamic image. These tattoos make greater use of space by treating the fingers, thumb and the hand as one solid canvas rather than separate pieces, allowing for larger pieces. They can also feature tattoo inspiration which exploit the unique anatomy of the hand , such as ones that present the skeletal structure of the whole hand.

2. Symbol Finger Tattoos

Thanks to the limited space available, using a variety of small symbols is well suited to finger tattoos. These tiny tattoos do not require extensive detail, white ink accents or shading, which is ideal for the limited space and difficult skin that an artist needs to navigate when creating a finger tat. . At the same time, small symbols like eyes and knives make for very eye-catching tiny tattoos in this location.

3. Nautical Finger Tattoos

If you’ve ever wondered why nautical imagery like anchors, ships, and nautical stars are so prominent, wonder no longer. There was a period in history when that adorable finger tattoo was strictly reserved for circus performers, criminals, and sailors, who got their body art from the tattooist in the back room of a bar somewhere.

Today’s widespread acceptance of tattooing was born out of those early days of niche tattooing and, thanks to sailors requesting images that were important to them. Nautical themes are still a big part of tattoo design today, especially in the old school American Traditional style. Nautical finger tattoos featuring ropes , anchors, and even ships fit easily onto fingers, as do wedding band tattoos designed to mark eternal love featuring ropes, chains, twined hooks and the like.

4. Simple Finger Tattoos

Choosing the right type of finger tattoo can be difficult given the limited space you have to deal with. There’s no need to over complicate things if you don’t want to and simple finger tattoo designs are often the best choice.

Bold, solid black ink lines are the best body art for this style, either fine or even thicker if the design merits it. The key is a clean design without a lot of extraneous detail, so the tattoo is easy to read and punched in with clarity to the inner finger or knuckle.

5. Lettered Finger Tattoo Ideas

Lettering across the fingers is one of the most classic finger tattoo designs in the world. Most of us have seen the words “LOVE” and “HATE” emblazoned on some knuckles in the past but you need not limit yourself to that simple a design.

Any four-letter words will fit but so too will eight-letter words across both hands and even across the insides of your hands. The script style can be a simple, flowing handwriting to bold, blocky letters to something more ornate.

6. Beastly Finger Tattoos

The challenge of a finger tattoo is fitting the right amount of detail into a small space to make it readable. One of the most fun applications involves a beastly design that shows off artistic skill to make a clear and readable animal image in only the width of a finger.

When you don’t want to commit to a massive animal portrait, or you just don’t have the real estate left for the ink, this is a great option. It takes an artist with a degree of confidence in their line work to make sure the image doesn’t blur and look amateurish.

7. Skull Small Finger Tattoo

Skulls have long been a popular image in every tattoo shop. Skull finger tattoos are one of the most fun and unique ways to apply them. Unlike standard skull tattoos the detail here has to be restrained because the space is so limited.

A competent artist needs to balance the design between simplicity and overly detailed to hit that sweet spot where the image is clear and recognizable without looking messy or overworked.

8. Clever Finger Tattoos

A tattoo design that flips your expectations is always eye-catching, so a clever finger tattoo is an excellent choice if you want to have a good conversation starter or just have people stare at your hands.

These small tattoo design concepts are best when the tattoo ink exploits the natural length of the finger or the shape of the hand and thumb as it tapers but they can also just use an elegant or unexpected design in a small space to be noticeable.

9. Side Finger Tattoo Concepts

Classic finger tattoos are put in across the front of the fingers between each knuckle, but you do have more space available. A side finger tattoo offers a fun alternative to the usual and can range from simple text, to tribal tattoo, or fun symbols like an arrow tattoo, a linework mustache, or feather tattoo that fits the space. These tattoos are subject to a lot of wear and the application can be uncomfortable, so a very simple, clean design is often your best choice.

Finger Tattoo FAQs

Are finger tattoos a good idea?

Because fingers are such active parts of the human body, finger tattoos don’t always work out the same as tattoos located elsewhere. They can become fuzzier and color put into them will not show as brightly for the wearer. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea to get a finger tattoo it just means you need to be aware of the complications and plan for them. The best finger tattoos are really punched in and solid black to reduce fading, smudging, and illegibility.

Do finger tattoos last?

Because of how much you use your hands and the density of finger skin, a finger tat is subject to fading at a much faster rate than something like a back tattoo design. This can be mitigated by limiting your color palette to just black, and your tattoo artist using thick, solid linework. Be aware that no matter what, a finger tattoo will not be as bright for as long as a tattoo located elsewhere.

Do you like these examples of finger tattoos? Check out the links below for more galleries of tattoo inspiration: