56 Hidden Tattoos That Will Satisfy Your Craving For New Ink
Even if your body is already covered in tattoos from head to toe, there's something fun and rebellious about secret ink. On the flip side, if you're still easing into the idea of your first small design, getting something etched on one of the best places to hide tattoos can make it all seem less stressful.
No matter your reasoning, hidden tattoos are a great way to ink your body just for you (though don't be surprised if you suddenly feel the need to post it all over Instagram). Some of the best hidden places for a tattoo are your rib cage, sternum, stomach, and back. You also can't go wrong with hidden small hip tattoos; they're a classic. Depending on the placement you choose, you can play peekaboo or let it be your own little secret.
The best hiding places for tattoos come with different pain levels. A rib or neck tattoo might be a little more painful than a design on your thighs. Luckily, these types of designs are typically tiny with fine lines and little to no shading, so they're relatively quick and easy.
Whether you're a tattoo newbie or this isn't your first rodeo, we rounded up some of the best hidden tattoo places for you to peruse ahead. Keep scrolling to see how to hide a tattoo like a pro.
— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes, Clara Amelia, and Jessica Harrington
Hidden Tattoos: Baby Blooms
The hips are a great hiding place for tattoos. This area makes the design only visible when you're wearing a cropped top or swimsuit.
Hidden Tattoos: Palm Tree
This gorgeous tattoo is placed on the ear, hiding it in plain sight.
Hidden Tattoos: Little Branch
This hidden tattoo features a delicate branch.
Hidden Tattoos: Seashell
This hidden tattoo of a seashell is placed on the ribs.
Hidden Tattoos: Angel Number
Angel-number tattoos are small, easy to hide, and super cute.
Hidden Tattoos: Space
You can get an entire space scene behind your ear as a hidden tattoo if you make it small enough.
Hidden Tattoos: Paw Print
Pay tribute to your furry friend with a paw-print tattoo on your foot or toe.
Hidden Tattoos: Happiness
The rib cage is one of the most popular places to hide tattoos.
Hidden Tattoos: Lettering
The back of your ear is a great spot for minimalist hidden tattoos.
Hidden Tattoos: Double Triangle
The back of the ear is one of the best and cutest hiding places for a tattoo.
Hidden Tattoos: "Alive" Written in a Rose
Another popular hidden tattoo spot is the back and spine area.
Hidden Tattoos: Tiny Finger Tattoos
The inside of your fingers is a good spot for hidden tattoos.
Hidden Tattoos: Small Heart
A small, red heart around the ribs is an excellent first tattoo.
Hidden Tattoos: Angel
Hide your tattoo in plain sight with a delicate fine-line design.
Hidden Tattoos: Smiley Face
Your big toe is a good place to hide a cute, silly tattoo.
Hidden Tattoos: Happiness
This hidden tattoo features the word "happiness" in a dainty cursive font.
Hidden Tattoos: Nou Led Nou La (We Led Us There)
The shoulders are a great place for a hidden tattoo of a quote.
Hidden Tattoos: Positivity
The back of the arm holds many possibilities for different kinds of tattoos like quotes and lettering.
Hidden Tattoos: Butterfly
This hidden tattoo features a cute, dainty butterfly right on the hipbone.
Hidden Tattoos: Olive Branch
This hidden tattoo features a beautiful olive branch.
Hidden Tattoos: Je T'aime
Tattoos located on the upper thigh and hip area are pretty easy to hide and make for a super-sexy placement.
Hidden Tattoos: Monarch Butterfly
The feet are another cool hidden spot for tattoos, like this beautiful monarch butterfly.
Hidden Tattoos: Ellipsis
A tiny ellipsis around the collarbone is another good first hidden tattoo idea if you're still unsure what to get.
Hidden Tattoos: Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty fits perfectly in this hidden small hip tattoo.
Hidden Tattoos: Astrological Symbol
Astrological symbols are small, making them really easy to hide.
Hidden Tattoos: Constellations
A small, colorful constellation on the inside of the arm is an excellent idea for a hidden tattoo.
Hidden Tattoos: Dragonfly
This hidden tattoo features a gorgeous, dainty dragonfly.
Hidden Tattoos: Girl Power
Hidden small hip tattoos are super cool and mysterious.
Hidden Tattoos: Budding Rose
Hip tattoos don't have to be small to stay hidden.
Hidden Tattoos: Love Yourself
This tattoo features the quote "love yourself" in a gorgeous cursive font around the back.
Hidden Tattoos: Be Kind
Subtle lettering on the back of your arm is an amazing idea for a hidden tattoo.
Hidden Tattoos: Still I Rise
The rib cage is the best spot if you want a quote tattoo that's private.
Hidden Tattoos: Stay Strong, Stay True, Stay U
If you want to get a quote tattoo but don't want to keep it hidden all the time, the back of the shoulder is a good placement option.
Hidden Tattoos: Easy Tiger
The sternum is one of the coolest hidden tattoo spots.
Hidden Tattoos: Happy and Sad
This happy-and-sad-face tattoo proves once again the feet are a great spot to hide tattoos.
Hidden Tattoos: Paper Airplane
An inner-lip tattoo is a great option if you want to keep it hidden while showing off your rebellious side.
Hidden Tattoos: Small Heart
This chic hidden tattoo is a fine-line heart placed on the back of the shoulder.
Hidden Tattoos: Favorite Number
A number tattoo like this one would be very easy to hide because of how small and delicate it is.
Hidden Tattoos: Cloud and Rain
You can get symbols tattooed on your fingers, like these cloud and rain tattoos.
Hidden Tattoos: Peace Sign
Put the peace in your peace sign by getting a hidden tattoo of the symbol on the inside of a finger.
Hidden Tattoos: Gratitude
The ankle is another amazing spot to hide a tattoo.
Hidden Tattoos: Shark
This cute hidden tattoo features a tiny shark located on the rib cage.
Hidden Tattoos: Quenya Letter
Small wrist tattoos are pretty and easy to hide with a bracelet, watch, or sleeve.
Hidden Tattoos: Girl Power
"Girl power" is shortened in this adorable hidden hip tattoo.
Hidden Tattoos: Tiny Rose
The inside of your finger is another great spot to hide tattoos.
Hidden Tattoos: Evil Eye
This hidden tattoo features an evil eye colored on the inside of a finger.
Hidden Tattoos: Pineapple
This small hidden tattoo is located on the lower stomach and concealed by the waistband.
Hidden Tattoos: Small Heart
This tattoo features an extra-tiny heart on the hand.
Hidden Tattoos: Baby Steps
This hidden tattoo features the word "baby steps" in a cute, minimalist font.
Hidden Tattoos: Rose
This hidden tattoo features a colored red rose on the shoulder.
Hidden Tattoos: Night and Day
This gorgeous hidden tattoo on the back depicts the contrast between day and night.
Hidden Tattoos: Small Diamond
This hidden tattoo of a small diamond is placed on the inside of a finger.
Hidden Tattoos: Always
If you want your hidden quote tattoo to be a little different, try using red ink.
Hidden Tattoos: Rose
Your ankle is a great spot for dramatic tattoos. What you're wearing will affect whether it's visible or not.
Hidden Tattoos: Lust
The butt makes for an amazing and sexy hidden tattoo spot.
Hidden Tattoos: Stay Wild
Your hidden butt tattoo can also include a cheeky quote — no one will know it's there.