Hand Tattoo Ideas

Hand Tattoo Ideas: 50+ Most Beautiful Hand Tattoo Designs

Categories Hand TattoosPosted on

Hand tattoo ideas are not something new in the tattoo community. Hands have been and will be the most attractive body part that you can ink. However, it is not the most popular placement for a tattoo. That’s because it is very well visible and it’s an important decision to get a hand tattoo. Anyway, hand tattoos look fantastic, and we have gathered some very cool hand tattoo ideas. So check them out!

Another magnificient blackwork hand tattoo by Guy le Tattooer
Another great blackwork hand tattoo by Guy Le Tattooer.
Anchor tattoo on the hand by Timur Lysenko
Anchor tattoo on the hand by Timur Lysenko.
Abstract hand tattoo idea
Abstract hand tattoo idea.
1945 tattoo
1945 tattoo on the hand.

Like any other art form, tattoos also follow the trends. People were tattooing their hands since the ancient times, but nowadays they are getting more and more attention. Thanks to celebrities, lots of people aren’t afraid of getting a hand tattoo.

Blackwork mandala hand tattoo idea
A gorgeous blackwork mandala tattoo on the hand.
Black tattoos on both palms
Stabbed heart and outline rose tattoos on palms.
Beautifully tattooed hand
Beautifully tattooed hand.
Black wolf tattoo on the hand
A wolf tattoo on the hand.
Black mandala tattoo on the hand
Black mandala tattoo on the hand.
Black flower tattoo on the hand
Dot-work black flower tattoo on the hand.

The best thing about hand tattoo ideas is that they look outstanding when you apply them on your hands. Hand tattoos can be small or large, sophisticated or minimal. There are endless possibilities, and everything depends on your imagination.

Blue rose tattoo on the right hand for the women
Blue rose tattoo on the right hand for the women.
Butterfly and crescent moon tattoo on the hand
Butterfly and crescent moon tattoo on the hand.
Cherry blossom tattoo on the hand
Cherry blossom tattoo on the hand.
Chevron tattoo on the hand
Chevron tattoo on the hand.
Classic swallow tattoo on the right hand
Classic swallow tattoo on the right hand.

What should you know before getting a hand tattoo?

You won’t be able to cover your hands a lot. Everyone will see it including you (every day). So the most crucial aspect is your firm determination. Ask yourself  – do I want a tattoo on my hand? Am I ready for this? If this is your first tattoo, we would recommend to get it on the other parts of the body like rib, chest or back. But if you’re not new into this, go for it! It is probably the most visible part of your body, and it is a perfect chance to get some beautiful art on your hands!

White snake tattoo on the right hand
White snake tattoo on the right hand.
Tribal tattoo on the hand
Tribal tattoo on the hand.
Traditional tattoos on the left hand
Another cool hand tattoo idea for guys – traditional style tats on the left hand.
Traditional style swallow tattoo on the hand
Traditional style tattoo of a swallow on the hand.
Traditional Croatian pattern tattoo on the hand
Traditional Croatian pattern tattoo on the hand.

However, you should also remember that there are still some employers and institutions that do not tolerate tattoos on the hands. Although this is changing and lots of companies don’t even care if you have a face tattoo. But still, if you’re planning your career in some big-ass company, take some time to investigate their policy on this topic.

Hand tattoo by Halb Stark
Hand tattoo by Halb Stark.
Gorgeous dotwork mandala tattoo on the hand
Gorgeous dot-work mandala tattoo on the hand.
Geometric shapes hand tattoo by tattooist Okan Uckun
Geometric shapes hand tattoo by tattooist Okan Uckun.
Cosmic style rose tattoo on the hand
Cosmic style rose tattoo on the hand.
Cool blackwork hand tattoo idea
Cool blackwork hand tattoo idea.

If you’re not sure about what kind of tattoo you want, you can use henna – a temporary tattoo technique. It will allow you to get used to your tattoo and see if you do like it.

Hands are a very sensitive area, so you should think about what kind of hand tattoo design you want. If you hardly tolerate the pain, it is better to choose a smaller and simpler idea. But if you dare to survive the pain for a big reward, you shouldn’t limit yourself with only small hand tattoo ideas.

Hand tattoo idea by Noelle Longhaul
Hand tattoo idea by Noelle Longhaul.
Hawaiian tattoo design on the hand
Hawaiian tattoo design on the hand.
Japanese style hand tattoo
Japanese style hand tattoo.
Leaf vine tattoo on the hand
Leaf vine tattoo on the hand.
Matching hand tattoos
Matching hand tattoos.
Mayan pattern tattoo on the hand
Mayan pattern tattoo on the hand.
Minimalist hand tattoo idea
Minimalist hand tattoo idea.

Types of hand tattoo ideas

Tattoos on the hand can extend on fingers, palm, the sides of the hands and on the wrists. If you don’t want to be very visible, you can get a tattoo on the side of your hand or the inner wrist.

Red rose traditional style tattoo on the hand
Red rose traditional style tattoo on the hand.
Sacred geometry and black lines tattoo on the hand
Sacred geometry and black lines tattoo on the hand.
Sacred geometry tattoo on both palms
Sacred geometry tattoo on both palms.
Shaded peony hand tattoo idea
Shaded peony hand tattoo idea.

There are thousands of hand tattoo ideas. Generally, most of those designs repeat, but each has something unique. Right now, the most fashionable hand tattoo designs are minimal symbols like stars, hearts, letters and geometric shapes. But you shouldn’t just follow the trends – a tattoo must mean something special for you.

Snake tattoo on the hand
Snake tattoo on the hand.
Solar system tattoo on the hand by tattooist Dr Woo
Solar system tattoo on the hand by tattooist Dr. Woo.
Squid tattoo on the left hand
Squid tattoo on the left hand.
Sun and moon tattoo on both hands
Sun and moon tattoo on both hands.

Unless you’ve decided to get a large piece, we would recommend small and uncomplicated tattoos. You can get a matching hand tattoo with your best friend or your love of life. Each of you will carry a part of the tattoo and when they’re joined they make a symbol.

Christmas tree tattoo on the hand
Christmas tree tattoo on the hand.
Bat tattoo on the hand
Bat tattoo on the hand.
Fern leaf tattoo on the hand
Fern leaf tattoo on the hand.
Small arrow tattoo on the hand by Aivaras Lee
Small arrow tattoo on the hand by Aivaras Lee.

Of course, if you want a bigger tattoo and you’re not afraid of the pain, there’s an infinite amount of much more complex hand tattoo ideas. When getting a large piece inked on your body, it is always best to advise with your tattoo artist.

Tips for choosing a hand tattoo idea

First of all, you should select the exact place where you want to get your tattoo and assess the visibility. As we’ve mentioned before, the high-visibility can cause some problems with some workplaces. If you make it more hidden, it will be less visible, but you will avoid the possible problems. So if you’re not sure about the size, it is the best choice to go with smaller hand tattoo ideas and leave the larger pieces for the other body parts.

Tiny cross tattoo on the hand
Tiny cross tattoo on the hand.
Taurus constellation tattoo on the hand
Taurus constellation tattoo on the hand.
Sparrow tattoo on the hand
Sparrow tattoo on the hand.
Small spaceship tattoo on the hand
Small spaceship tattoo on the hand.

There are many nerves in the hands, so be prepared for a painful process. Additionally, every tattoo has to heal, so you will have to take your time to rest your hands after getting a tattoo. Since we use our hands for almost everything, it can be difficult not to perform some of the daily tasks.

If you’re going to ink both of your hands, it is best to do one first, wait for it to heal, and the do the other. Hands heal slower due to the friction, contact with water and other daily activities that incorporate hands.

Another thing that you should bear in mind is that tattoo on the hand fades away, blurs and may even erase over time. That’s because of the high amount of the friction that our hands have with objects and surfaces. So you might have to retouch your tattoo sometime after it gets blur.

Fern leafs tattoo on the fingers
Fern leafs tattoo on the fingers.
Minimalist tattoo on the hand
Minimalist tattoo on the hand.
Crescent small moon hand tattoo.
Praying hands outline tattoo on the left hand
Praying hands outline tattoo.