Placement picker

Compare body areas by available space and how easy they are to cover.

Pick an area to see designs that actually suit it.

Anatomical body map shown from the front and back

Selected placement

Match the design to the body area

Begin with the outer shape of the artwork. Vertical botanicals, animals and lettering can follow a forearm, spine or ribs. Round compositions often fit the shoulder or thigh. Narrow symbols work on the wrist, ankle and behind the ear when they keep enough open space around the outline.

Next decide how visible the tattoo may be in everyday clothing. Hands, fingers and neck remain visible in most situations. Chest, thigh and ribs are easier to cover. Watches, shoes, collars and existing tattoos create additional boundaries that should be measured before the stencil is resized.

Take a useful measurement

Measure the usable height and width with your body relaxed. Do not twist the arm or torso toward a mirror, since that changes the apparent shape. Send the artist a straight photograph of the full area and state whether the design may wrap around the side. That information is more useful than choosing a placement from a close crop alone.

If two areas remain possible, save the same subject from both galleries and compare the complete silhouettes. The stronger option is usually the one that needs less distortion to follow the body and leaves clear room around joints, clothing edges and nearby work.