Top 53 Best Arm Tattoo Ideas [2020 Inspiration Guide]

The next time you hit the punching bag, you might just find yourself swinging with one of these top 50 best arm tattoos for men.

From body art on the biceps to triceps, each ingenious design will pump you up with ideas.

However, drawing attention to your carefully sculpted muscles doesn’t come without a paying a price.

Just like hitting the gym and moving weight you can expect pain.

For starters, you’ll literally get a workout of your cervical spine, deltoids (shoulder muscles), and triceps (upper arm muscles) when tattooing your armpit. Glands are abundant in this region, and the major axillary nerve may push your pain tolerance to the limit.

But rest easy gentlemen, avoid the armpit and you’ll discover the outer arm is actually the least painful place to get a tattoo. The inner arm is a mixed bag, as it varies man to man.

To make things even easier, I’ve acquired a collection of arm tattoos ranging from the simply cool to tribal, cross to skull, and many other kinds, including upper and lower designs.

Tattoo Ideas for Men’s Arms

A captivating sleeve tattoo boldly inked on the outer arm with a series of roman numerals sharing center stage of this art work. October 2, 1949 must be a day worth commemorating as indicated on this visual feast, cushioned comfortably on an array of feathers contoured in black. The transition from the next segment of this creation is fluid.

This incredible contrast of the darkly shaded lower arm highlights sacred geometrical patterns rendered in white. It conveys the unrelenting quest for a deeper understanding of meaning of life, how it begins and how it ends, and how is humanity interconnected.

The king of the jungle magnificently displayed on the upper arm of the wearer. The skin comes alive with this glorious creation, with its weave after weave of hair layered and contoured in black infused with tribal inspired shapes.

Whoever gazes upon her, turns into stone. Medusa, an exquisitely beautiful mortal whose hair was transformed into serpents by the goddess, Athena. This is an impressive interpretation of the Gorgon monster peeking into a mirror in a pensive and brooding manner. It’s multidimensional effect as beautifully expressed by rendering of the artist in black and white ink. It’s stone like impression makes this creature even colder and more sinister.

Portraits are popular tattoo ideas for men seeking to fill in the arm as a blank canvass for body art. It can be a classic portrait of a beautiful woman or highly illustrative & subjective depending on the concept of the work. This piece tackles contradictions of beauty and brokenness, of peace and chaos, and of light and dark.

These gorgeous biblical beings who are believed to have higher power and ability than humans are worn as full sleeve tattoo. The contour of a highly toned arms compliments the aesthetic beauty of this breath-taking creation. This is a perfect tattoo idea for the modern man who believes in invoking the protection and energy of angels, or simply appreciate its symbolism, or even perhaps influenced by a male superstar like David Beckham who popularized angel tattoos on his right arm.

This illustration of a vintage pirate ship threading on dark waters worn on the upper arm looks like has been lifted from a movie scene. It conveys a story so vividly clear that the onlooker might actually feel angry water splashing on the face, or feel the cold sea wind.

This enchanting creation makes you focus on the lamp, and the light it illuminates from it. This is another upper arm tattoo which can be dedicated to a daughter or a sister who has an affinity to Disney stories. This looks like Snow White going through the dark and deadly forest trying to escape the wrath of the witch.

These are great sample arm tattoos for guys who wants to use portrait as a concept. It is flattering to the woman they are honoring whether it’s an expression of deep appreciation, affinity or influence. Whatever the reason may be, it is absolutely appealing to wear the face of a gorgeous lady on an arm.

This dark and deeply blackened industrial piece arm tattoo is perfectly suited for the ruggedly handsome guy in dark denim jeans, brooding quietly in the corner with a dark industrial themed tattoo, encircling his lower arm.

This forearm tattoo is inspired by our fictional comic character superhero alleged to possess extraordinary powers of superhuman stamina. This illustration is rendered in black ink & smeared with water color at the edges to serve as transition to the next artwork to make it full sleeved.

The knight in shining armor championing his woman will never grow old. This gorgeous artwork truly deserves to be showcased on an arm, the dynamic play of flaming shades of red and the varying levels of black is absolutely breathtaking.

The background adds warmth to the monochromatic rendering of the woman. It is indeed flattering to be seen and immortalized by your man on his skin.

This is another awesome concept for an arm tattoo. This is popular among sailors, seafarers and, for those who has close affinity to the sea.

This creation conveys a simple message of “I’m counting the time until I can be home”, but the rendering of the black and red ink speaks volumes. It tells us of its struggles being in the waters and being away, how often time becomes relevant when the longing for home creeps in.

Skulls tattoos are extremely popular as a concept. They are visually cool, hip and captivating especially when bone details are added by the artist. It generally represents death and gore, but the symbolic skull can take on different meanings depending on how it is interpreted by the artist and perceived by the wearer.

A varying degree of regression in dark, brooding illustration rendered in black ink, draped on the outer, upper arm. This type of arm tattoo may contain a deep and personal meaning, but it can also be strategically used to cover scars and enhance the aesthetic of muscular arms.

It’s mind-blowing how a tattoo artist can lift an image from a captured moment in a separate medium then manually transfer it into the skin. Such realism must be part of the checklist when looking for a concept that best suits the wearer’s personality, intention and expression.

This is one of those designs which fall under the simple upper arm tattoo category. It tackles a subject matter which can be understood at first glance. The black contouring of the mountain peaks adds personality to this body art.

If you have an existing tattoo on your arm and wants to cover it up with a new one, this creation is an option. It is dark and vibrant with a very captive under water scene which covers the lower half of the arm.

This is a full-sleeved tattoo which features sacred geometric patterns in vibrant black, white and red colors.  For those who are fascinated by ancient meanings of these patterns, this type of arm tattoo is perfect.

Another full-sleeved arm tattoo which is a visually breath-taking illustration of the underwater scenery. The smeared water color at the shoulder section is a refreshing effect to highlight the swimming sharks.

The flower of life taking on center stage at the tip of the shoulder, intricately rendered in black ink. This is definitely one of the best choices for arm tattoos, taking into consideration its deep meaning plus its aesthetic value. The combination of lines and shapes is captivating.

This is such a cool choice for an arm tattoo of the deeply brooding guy who chooses his art to be intriguingly mysterious. Its dark interpretation is quiet and sexy, but loud enough in its aesthetic form and beauty.

The arm watch laid out in a very striking and elegant manner. The details of this mechanical piece rendered in black is wonderfully laid out, delicately encircling the arm.

The medieval armoured arm in all of its splendour and glory displayed on the upper arm. This enhances the masculine image and absolutely swoon-worthy in so many levels.

The labrys, double headed axe, is an archaic symbol of the thunder god, Zeus. The ancient Greek mythology is a very rich source of inspiration for artists as shown in this half sleeve tattoo. The triumph of good over evil is a timeless theme of storytelling in every available medium, even in tattooing.

To offer the ever-masculine arm for a mechanical industrial illustration of a skull in three interwoven sections to create this masterpiece, is indeed captivating. Its details are a complete standout and should be worn by a man with a personality to match.

This mechanical industrial illustration of a skull in three interwoven sections is captivating. Its details are a complete standout and should be worn by a man with a personality to match.

A symbolic religious piece, recognizing that there is a higher being watching over humanity. The mortal image of God is presented as an elderly man, complete with the sagging skin and lines, slightly crooked nose, white facial hair.

His deep and thoughtful gaze speaks varying levels of concern as he looks over his people gearing up for battle. This is the story of humanity’s journey in life, whether as a race or as an individual, there are battles to fight each day.

This art work takes its audience on a reflective journey, maximizing the ink medium by telling a story that is honest, pure and relevant.

The heavily armored soldier proudly exhibiting sword skills in the battle field. This upper arm tattoo rendered in black ink conveys cold, metallic and extremely detailed textures. The sword’s proud stance adds character into this illustration which conveys bravery and courage, ready to strike and defend itself from its enemies.

A carefully worded lettering design which may be a dedication or an inspirational quote is one of the coolest tattoo ideas for guys. It can be plain text or dramatically embellished. It requires an extra amount of sacrifice to be inked on the inner forearm as this area is highly sensitive. Whoever chooses to get inked on this side of the arm, need ample preparation.

This is a great way to tell a story of mortality. Every man’s eventuality is to pursue a journey which will certainly end. This glorious piece of art is further enhanced by the choice of color, the vibrant shades of fire.

Definitely one of the coolest full-sleeve arm tattoo concepts one should explore. This mind-blowing illustration predominantly rendered in black ink, blackened, shaded, contoured and smeared all throughout the arm which can be perceived by its captive audience in several ways.

Its symmetry and balance is presented not in structured lines and shapes, but by the different floor levels of an ancient Chinese-inspired architecture with its wavy roof layout shaped like a pyramid.

Why not fully drape your arm with this magnificent surreal time piece incorporated into the eye, creating various levels of textures with the fusion of the eye and the watch? With the collaboration of a highly skilled tattoo artist, this genius body art is definitely possible.

The illustration of a winged angel as a half sleeve tattoo on the outer forearm is also a good option. It must be a show stopper each time you show up on the beach donning immaculate white shirt cutoffs.

This is such a cool choice for an arm tattoo. The queen of hearts and queen of spades are presented in a refreshing and witty manner. It can literally mean the queen spade stole the heart of the other queen.

This arm tattoo conveys Japan’s very rich ancient past, a samurai juxtaposed against the rising sun is breathtaking. A Japanese warrior who is ready to dedicate his life for honor, family and nobility.

The hauntingly splendid and melancholic sparrow perched on a skull with a gentle and delicate flower under its chin tells us of two absolute truths in life. We are born, and eventually we die. Beginning and end. This is an awesome way to ink an arm, particularly this creation rendered in black. It is a stark reminder to fill in the gap in between birth and death, with a legacy you can be proud of.

Another cool concept for enhancing the inner arm with this intriguing illustration of two distinct characters. This tattoo is contoured in black, wonderfully vibrant in details such as the delicate facial structure of the girl, in contrast to the lines and sagging skin of the male.

The portrait skulls tattoo inspired by the Day of the Dead also known as Día de Los Muertos, a huge, colorful and joyful holiday in Mexico to honor their dead. This arm tattoo features the image of an elegant skeleton woman, known as La Calavera Catrina.

This arm tattoo is stunning interpretation of a pirate skull adorned with feathers as headpiece. Its details are a visual feast for the onlooker. This tattoo design definitely fits the cool guy personality, whose playful and adventurous self will take on this body art.

The powerful wave tattoo adorns the lower half of the sleeve reveals its threatening nature in this creation.

In as much as water represents life and be the source of nourishment not only to the physical body but the soul, as well. This illustration showcases the dark side of the wave, that it can utterly be destructive and can take life.

The merchant ship voyaging the seas, taking the desire to take on adventure of self-discovery is an amazing concept for a half sleeve tattoo.

This dramatic arm tattoo features an illustration of a black rose offering held by bloody hand which could be the result tightly grasping the thorny stem of this flower.

A grieving heart seeking to immortalize the loss of a love one by capturing the agony and loss in an ink art is one of the more popular theme of tattoos. Seeking to honor pain through a medium so intimate is an act of courage and seen as part of the recovering process.