When we think of tattoos, our minds often drift to the more traditional spots for arm tattoos or maybe leg tattoos. Some daredevils even prefer to get tattoos on the spine. But why not shake things up a bit and consider elbow tattoos?
This angular joint might seem like an odd choice at first, but that’s precisely what makes it intriguing. This angular canvas is full of possibilities. You can get radiating tattoos on the elbow or opt for something that morphs into a different shape when you bend or flex your arm.
Tattoo artists, though, always have mixed reactions to working on this spot. That’s because the skin on the elbow is usually thinner, more wrinkly, and darker. It can be a tricky spot to get a tattoo.
And let’s not forget about the pain. Just like these ankle tattoo ideas, getting an elbow tattoo is bound to hurt too. It’s a bony area with little to no fat covering. So you will definitely experience pain compared to other tattoo spots. You may also need frequent touch-ups to maintain the vibrancy of the colors.
So if you don’t mind enduring a little extra discomfort, then these 127 elbow tattoo ideas are for you. Our collection includes intricate mandalas to trippy geometric patterns that are bound to start conversations and turn heads.
Whether you’re seriously considering getting an elbow tattoo or are just here to satisfy your curiosity, get ready to embrace these beautiful designs.
Below we’ll also dive into the design possibilities, discuss the pain factor (because, let’s be real, it’s a concern), and share some pro tips for taking care of your inked elbow masterpiece.
To complement your elbow tattoo, explore our armband tattoo ideas for a sleek and stylish addition.
#1 Cat Elbow Tattoo
My sweet boy Atlas by Brook @ Monkey Bones Tattoos Beavercreek, OH. My first!
Image source: holleykitty
#2 Hydrangea Engraved Elbow Tattoo
It’s fascinating how every time I open my arms, a bouquet of flowers unfolds roundly.
Image source: abii_tattoo
#3 Trippy Elbow Tattoo
#4 Spiral Elbow Tattoo
Image source: tattoosnob
#5 Moon-Lit Night Sky Elbow Tattoo
Image source: tattooist_danha
#6 White Lotus Elbow Tattoo
I’m a professional skydiver, so I got some air-bending tattoos.
Image source: dirkriptide
#7 Mandala Elbow Tattoo
Image source: fleur.tattoos
#8 Star Pattern Elbow Tattoo
Image source: soltattoo
#9 Nature Inspired Elbow Tattoo
#10 Blue Ink Elbow Tattoo
Image source: saki.lss
#11 Brushstroke Elbow Tattoo
Image source: wittybutton_tattoo
#12 Berries Elbow Tattoo
#13 Hand-Drawn Rainbow Tattoo
Image source: purensonmez.ink
#14 Clouds And Moon Cover Up Elbow Tattoo
Image source: tattooist_zela
#15 Elbow Tattoo Inspired By The Ocean
Image source: magpietattooshop
#16 Hug Elbow Tattoo
Image source: sophieleetattoo
#17 Cute Horse Carousel Elbow Tattoo
Image source: neocorticalhoney
#18 Bold And Stunning Color Mandala Elbow Tattoo
Image source: kiwa_jip
#19 Pine Tree Elbow Tattoo
Image source: tattooist_namoo
#20 Trippy Elbow Tattoo
Image source: nxe_xiner
#21 Flowers Elbow Tattoo
Image source: nicholasleetattoo
#22 Spike Elbow Tattoo
Image source: mikeaustintattoo
#23 Funny Trap Elbow Tattoo
Image source: deinyaan.tattoo
#24 Swimming Shark Elbow Tattoo
Designed and tattooed by Tim Hendricks at Classic Tattoo in Fullerton, CA.
Image source: mamamiapizzapia
#25 Lilly Elbow Tattoo
#26 Fence Elbow Tattoo
#27 Broken Glass Elbow Tattoo
#28 Dotwork Elbow Tattoo
#29 Ouroboros Snake Elbow Tattoo
Image source: rinor_electrictattooing
#30 Figure-Eight Knot Elbow Tattoo
Image source: weigel23
#31 Sun Elbow Tattoo
Done by Alex Burd at Ancient Art Tattoo in Virginia Beach.
Image source: philography
#32 Spider Web Elbows Tattoos
Got my elbows webbed same day. By Kelly Smith at Crybaby tattoos.
Image source: ScottTheMyth
#33 Elbow Tattoos Inspired By Woods
#34 Mandala Elbow Tattoo
#35 Landscape Elbow Tattoo
#36 Smoking Cigarette Elbow Tattoo
#37 Black And White Elbow Tattoo
#38 Broken Glass Imitation Elbow Tattoo
#39 Deer Elbow Tattoo
#40 Trap Elbow Tattoo
#41 Red Flower Elbows Tattoo
#42 Witch Hands Elbow Tattoo
#43 Flowers Elbow Tattoo
#44 Colorful Elbow Tattoo
Image source: ok.hee_tt
#45 Trippy Elbow Tattoo
Image source: mitchin.tattoos
#46 Branches Of Olive And Hydrangea Elbow Tattoo
Image source: linsey_tattooer
#47 Symmetrical Intricate Ornaments Elbow Tattoo
Safe to say this is one of the hardest tattoos I’ve done so far.
Image source: maziaje.tattoo
#48 Ring Of Flowers Elbow Tattoo
Image source: bethkweedaytattoo
#49 Small Cupid Elbow Tattoo
Image source: tattoosbyina
#50 Freehand Flames Elbow Tattoo
Image source: _yoiiii
#51 Simple Realism Dove Elbow Tattoo
Image source: tattooist_doy
#52 Cute Baby Clowns Elbow Tattoo
Image source: yumemonchi
#53 Spikes Elbow Tattoo
Image source: __danykim
#54 Abstract Curves Elbow Tattoo
Image source: ___danyul
#55 Eating Skull Elbow Tattoo
Image source: jade_alexandra_tattoos
#56 Blacked Out Elbows Tattoo
By Alex Sabur at Stay Humble Tattoo, Baltimore, MD.
Image source: ragedkali96
#57 Elbow Mandala Tattoo
By Binil Bajracharya at Aamali Tattoo Inn, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Image source: godisasatyromaniac
#58 A Trippysaurus Elbow Tattoo
Done by Deryk Webb at Electric Hand Tattoo in Nashville, TN.
Image source: Whitey-Ford
#59 Eye Elbow Tattoo
Image source: IntrepidBuilder4883
#60 Heart Elbow Tattoo
Image source: TheLebronaldpalmer
#61 Swellbow Elbow Tattoo
Image source: badlittleyou
#62 Spiral Elbow Tattoo
Image source: clydetattoos
#63 Trippy Elbow Tattoo
#64 Ornamental Elbow Tattoo
#65 Round Elbow Tattoo
#66 Trippy Elbow Tattoo
#67 Smoke Elbow Tattoo
#68 Eye Elbow Tattoo
#69 Eye Elbow Tattoo
#70 Moon Elbow Tattoo
#71 Snake And Horseshoe Elbow Tattoo
#72 Teeth Elbow Tattoo
#73 Heart Elbow Tattoo
#74 Bats Elbow Tattoo
#75 Liquified Elbow Tattoo
Image source: dotsnoah
#76 Frog Elbow Tattoo
Image source: coryconnellart
#77 Snakes Elbow Tattoo
Image source: strokin_dark
#78 Broken Glass Elbow Tattoo
Image source: crimclay
#79 Hinge Elbow Tattoo
By Andrew Vidakovich at Stay Humble Tattoo in Baltimore, MD.
Image source: tubachild
#80 Warped Face Elbow Tattoo
Done by Bernard at Crying Heart Tattoo, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Image source: milushman
#81 Elbow Tattoo
Image source: sunhan.tattoo
#82 Coffee Mug Elbow Tattoo
#83 Firefly Elbow Tattoo
#84 Snake Elbow Tattoo
#85 Cobweb Elbow Tattoo
Image source: maia_forster
#86 Flying Eagle Elbow Tattoo
Image source: oldsolnewtricks
#87 Floral Elbow Tattoo
Design done by Wayne At Ice House in Fayetteville, AR.
Image source: plskllmilol
#88 “Pow!” Elbow Tattoo Piece
Done by Nate Deal at Iron Brush Tattoo Lincoln, NE.
Image source: L_honeytoast
#89 Mandala Elbow Tattoo
By Lewis Dodd Ventosa at Civilized Tattoo in Exeter, UK.
Image source: Ab_Walne
#90 Birthday Elbow Tattoo
Done by Ruben at Queen Street Tattoo, Wilmington, NC.
Image source: humptymfdumpty
#91 Turtle Elbow Tattoo
Image source: Eliastattoos
#92 Butterfly Elbow Tattoo
#93 Text Elbow Tattoo
#94 Ornamental Elbow Tattoo
#95 Mandala Elbow Tattoo
#96 Flower Elbow Tattoo
#97 Eye Elbow Tattoo
#98 Mandala Elbow Tattoo
Image source: uappins
#99 The Devil Butterfly Elbow Tattoo
Image source: tatu_panda
#100 Sistine Chapel Elbow Tattoo
Image source: M0120CC0
#101 Atla Inspired Elbow Tattoo
Done by Becca Genné-Bacon at Kings Avenue in NYC.
Image source: LetsRockJ
#102 Web Elbow Tattoo
Done by Henry Big at Greenpoint Tattoo Co in Brooklyn, NY.
Image source: xXxbrandyxXx
#103 Flower Elbow Tattoo
Done by Mina Aoki at Mercy Tattoo, SLC UT.
Image source: reddit.com
#104 Spider Elbow Tattoo
Image source: rprcssns
#105 Skull Elbow Tattoo
Image source: PvtJohnson
#106 Colorful Elbow Tattoo
Done by @adrianmartineztattoo @ Faithful Tattoo, Bellingham, WA.
Image source: akm37
#107 Mandala Elbow Tattoo
#108 Spider Elbow Tattoo
#109 Single Line Hands Elbow Tattoo
#110 Heart Elbow Tattoo
#111 Self Love Elbow Tattoo
Image source: m3.ink
#112 Fresh Midsommar Elbow Tattoo
Done by Corinne at Inflicting Ink, Portsmouth, RI.
Image source: Heresmikejencks
#113 Devil Elbow Tattoo
Spicy hot stuff blasted over my elbow. Done by Kriss Portillo @ Victory tattoo parlor in London, ON.
Image source: CaptainSkunkBag
#114 Skull Elbow Tattoo
Done by Cody Hammond @ Freedom Tattoo Parlor, FL.
Image source: IHitAn11
#115 Fish Elbow Tattoo
Blue Gill on the elbow by Amanda Slater at Lakeside Tattoo Co in RVA.
Image source: Pineapplepunkz
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