500 Finger Tattoos Design That Will Never Go Out of Style

December 22, 2021

0 44 16 minutes read

Finger tattoos have become very popular recently, and it’s easy to see why. While smaller than most tattoos, these inking’s are no less meaningful and can be adapted to suit any style. From bold and statement-making to tiny and delicate, there’s a finger tattoo out there to suit everyone. Feeling inspired to get one of your own? Keep reading to find out all about finger tattoos and discover the best designs that will stand the test of time.

How badly do finger tattoos hurt?

While all tattoos carry some degree of pain, most people consider finger tattoos to hurt more than tattoos on the arm or wrist. That’s because the nerves and bones in our fingers are close to the skin. There is also very little muscle or fat to act as a protective cushion from the needle. However, finger tattoos are, by definition, small, so they take less time to complete. As a result, the pain won’t last long and will be easier to manage.

How Quickly do Finger Tattoos Fade?

Finger tattoos are some of the fastest inkings to fade and blur. To keep yours looking crisp and vibrant, make sure you follow all the aftercare instructions very carefully in the first few days after getting the tattoo. Choose blue or black ink over other colors as the dark pigment will look fresher for longer, and try to avoid inking over your knuckles as these tattoos tend to fade even faster. Book an appointment with your tattoo artist every 10 to 12 months for a touch-up.

How long do finger tattoos take to heal?

How much do finger tattoos cost?

The price of a finger tattoo will vary based on the tattoo artist you choose. In general, a finger tattoo will cost between $50-$100.

Finger Tattoos Design

1. Ring Finger Tattoo

Ring finger tattoos are a beautiful way to show your commitment to your other half. Many couples choose these inkings for their wedding, and they can be a great alternative to a real ring as a tattoo can never be lost or stolen. They are also ideal if you are unable to wear your wedding ring at work for safety reasons. The ancient Romans believed the ring finger contained the ‘vein of love’ which connected directly to the heart, making this finger tattoo a very romantic and meaningful option.

2. Small Finger Tattoo

The trend for small tattoos is showing no sign of slowing down. If you are searching for the perfect subtle inking, a small finger tattoo could be perfect for you. Mini symbols, initials, and shapes are all popular options and are tiny enough to you won’t need to worry about keeping them covered. Small finger tattoos can be just as meaningful as large pieces, and you will always be able to see your inking whenever you want.

3. Cute Finger Tattoo

Cute tattoos take many forms – from fruit to candy, cartoons, and even dinosaurs! To get the perfect cute finger tattoo, choose your favorite character or theme, then select an artist with an adorable art style. When it comes to finger tattoos, keeping it simple is usually the best option. Try a cute line-drawing in black or blue ink for the best results.

4. Side Finger Tattoo

Side finger tattoos are a great subtle option as they aren’t visible unless you move your fingers in a certain way. Many people choose secret messages, mantras, or single letters for their side finger tattoos as these inkings have a mysterious and intriguing quality. They are also popular as couple’s tattoos, as messages can be spelled out when the pair hold hands.

5. Inner Finger Tattoo

One of the most discreet types of inking is the inner finger tattoo. This tattoo will only be visible if you show your open palm to someone else, make it ideal for those who prefer to keep their body art private. As a result, it’s the perfect placement for a tiny, meaningful design, such as an initial or symbol. Plus, tattoos in this area are slightly less painful than outer finger tattoos, as there are more muscle and fat to protect the bones and nerves.

6. Middle Finger Tattoo

Looking for ink with attitude? Try a middle finger tattoo! Favored by stars like Ariana Grande, the middle finger tattoo is all about showing off your rebellious spirit with a bold and attention-grabbing design. Alternatively, your middle finger is generally your longest, which means it’s perfect for larger vertical designs such as line drawings or patterns.

7. Heart Finger Tattoo

Heart tattoos are usually chosen as a symbol of love, romance, and commitment. They can also represent self-love, family, or act as an expression of a person’s loving and caring spirit. Because it’s visible whenever you look at your hand, a heart finger tattoo will always remind you about the most important thing in life: love.

8. Rose Finger Tattoo

Rose tattoos are one of the most popular tattoo designs of all time, and they look great when placed on your finger. These sweet-smelling flowers have petals and thorns, meaning they represent both the beauty and pain of life. Roses are also linked with love and passion, so they are often chosen as a tattoo tribute to a loved one.

9. Lion Finger Tattoo

Made popular by celebrities like Cara Delevingne and Anthony Joshua, lion finger tattoos stand out because they are unusually detailed when compared with standard finger designs. A symbol of pride, nobility, courage, and strength, the lion is known as the king of the jungle. It’s a popular ink option for those that feel connected to those attributes. Alternatively, if you’re born under the star sign Leo, you’ll love a lion tattoo.

10. Snake Tattoo

Snake tattoos not only look cool, but they are also versatile and can be adapted to fit any placement on the body – so it’s not hard to see why they’ve never gone out of style. Historically, snakes represent creativity, knowledge, fertility, and transformation, making them perfect for both women and men. They also have a cool Gothic appeal and are popular with those looking for a unique finger tattoo option.

11. Tattoo with Words

Fingers are long and straight, making them perfect for a word tattoo. These meaningful inkings are a pure way to express what is most important to you. You can also use your finger tattoo to spell out a special quote or to hide a secret message for a special person to read. Whatever you choose, your finger tattoo with words will make a powerful statement.

12. Butterfly Tattoo

Butterflies represent transformation, freedom, and beauty. They are popular with both women and men, and your butterfly design can be adapted to suit your style. For a more masculine take, try a black ink butterfly in a static pose. Meanwhile, a feminine butterfly tattoo could wrap around your finger and feature an accent color like red or yellow.

13. Flower Tattoo

Flower tattoos have many different meanings, from the joyful optimism of the sunflower to the spiritual harmony of the lotus. When choosing your floral finger inking, think about what you want your tattoo to represent and if it fits with your style. Long-stemmed flowers like daisies and roses also look especially beautiful when placed on your finger.

14. Finger Dot Tattoo

One of the simplest and most popular finger tattoo designs is dots. While they are understated, dot tattoos also carry a lot of meaning and significance. A single dot often represents a ‘full stop’ – the end of one phase and the start of another. A row of three dots is another popular version of this tattoo. Once often worn by gang members, today, it is associated with living life on your terms. It can also be considered a Christian tattoo, representing the Holy Trinity.

15. Henna Finger Tattoo

Considering a finger tattoo but not quite ready to commit? Try having your chosen design inked in henna, which is painless and naturally fades over a few weeks. This natural plant-based dye has been used to create beautiful body art for centuries; the most well-known is mehndi, the traditional wedding tattoo of India. While you could take inspiration from Indian culture for your henna tattoo, any design can be inked in henna if you choose an experienced artist.

16. King and Queen Finger Tattoo

One of the most iconic couple’s tattoo designs is the king and queen symbols. This inking represents mutual respect and shows that while you have different roles, you complement each other perfectly. An ideal way to pay tribute to the one who rules over your heart, king-and-queen finger tattoos look especially romantic when you and your other half hold hands.

17. Rosary Tattoo

For religious people, a rosary finger tattoo can be a subtle yet meaningful reminder of their faith in God. A Catholic symbol, the rosary is used to count prayers and is associated with the Virgin Mary. As a tattoo, it is considered to represent God’s protection from evil. In Scripture, the right hand is also associated with strength, power, and blessings, so having a rosary inked on a finger of your right hand could be especially significant.

18. Arrow Tattoo

Arrows are a simple and stylish option for a finger tattoo for both men and women. They represent your direction in life and the importance of moving forward, not backward. Many people consider an arrow tattoo to symbolize staying true to yourself and your goals. So, not only do these tattoos have a positive and motivating meaning but they also perfectly align with the shape of your finger.

19. Diamond Tattoo

Diamond is the strongest natural material on Earth and has been considered precious – even priceless – for thousands of years. It’s no surprise then that diamonds have come to represent strength, wealth, beauty, and eternal love today. While these glittering gems would look great as a tattoo anywhere, they also suit a finger placement. Many people also choose a diamond tattoo as an engagement inking, as the traditional proposal gift is a diamond ring.

20. Moon Tattoo

Moon tattoos have been a popular inking design choice for many years as it is instantly recognizable. Its bold shape looks great when inked on fingers. The moon is associated with the night, so it’s an attractive tattoo for those with a mysterious side. The moon can also represent transformation, as it waxes and wanes each month.

21. Anchor Tattoo

Another tattoo design that has been popular for centuries is the anchor. These nautical symbols often represent the end of a long journey. Anchors can also symbolize safety and hope, which is why they are often chosen as a couple’s tattoo – they express that you are each other’s ‘safe harbor.’ The anchor is perfectly shaped to fit on your finger, making it a great option for a wedding tattoo.

22. Feather Tattoo

Feathers represent hope, courage, and freedom because they allow birds to fly. People who long to ‘spread their wings’ and see the world may choose feather tattoos to symbolize their free spirit. Additionally, peacock feathers represent spirituality, beauty, self-awareness, and leadership. Like arrows, the long, slender shape of feathers makes them the perfect option for a finger tattoo.

23. Gun Tattoo

While gun tattoos are considered controversial by some, they are also a popular tattoo choice. They can be considered to represent violence and aggression – however, the gun is also a symbol of defense and protection of those you love most. It can also symbolize a fiery ‘loaded pistol’ personality! A small gun inking, such as one on your finger, is a less threatening and more discreet option for those who want a gun tattoo design.

24. Infinity Tattoo

The infinity symbol is small and self-contained, and its smooth figure-eight look fits perfectly on your finger. Because of its simplicity, the infinity symbol suits both men and women. It is often combined with other elements – such as a name or cross – and is also popular as a wedding tattoo, where it symbolizes the infinite love of the couple.

25. Wave Tattoo

Like the infinity symbol, the wave tattoo has simple and fluid lines that look perfect on your finger. Popular with men and women who take a relaxed approach to life – or simply love the ocean – a wave finger tattoo will remind you to go with the flow and that summer is just around the corner.

What are 3D tattoos?

The term ‘ 3-dimensional tattoo’ refers to any design that looks three-dimensional, rather than two-dimensional (flat) on the skin.

The best tattoos of this nature will be realistic enough to look like photographs.

The 3D technique is used for a number of innovative and creative designs – from simply tattooing hyper-realistic looking objects to crossing into the realm of believable optical illusions.

3D tattoos are likely to take longer to complete than two-dimensional designs and require a huge amount of expertise from the tattoo artist.

If you’re considering getting a tattoo like this, it’s best to try to find a tattooist who specializes in this aesthetic, even if it means looking outside your area or paying a bit more than expected.

3-dimensional tattoo work only achieves its purpose – looking realistic – if the artist gets everything 100% right.

Realistic 3D tattoo design ideas

As we’ve already mentioned, creativity is key to creating the very best and most original tattoos.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, consider the following ideas – and don’t forget to check out our massive gallery of awesome three dimensional tattoos!

Animals and objects

This type of tattoos in 3D involves simply – though let’s be honest, it’s not that simple – tattooing a photorealistic image of something on your body.

Real-looking objects and animals make for striking, eye-catching tattoos.

Some popular choices include:

Flowers – always a popular tattoo element, flowers look even better when tattooed in 3D. Most people opt for roses since they’re one of the more complex flowers to tattoo and ones with the most depth involved – there’s a lot of light and shadow play on and between the petals, unlike with flowers that are naturally more flat. Drops of water are sometimes added for extra realism. Both color and black options are viable, and each will result in a distinctive style – though of course, the use of color will make the image more lifelike.

Portraits – portrait tattoos are tough to get right and a major commitment (they’re not as easy to cover up as names!), yet this doesn’t affect their popularity all that much. Plenty of people still get them, and there’s no reason not to if you have the right tattoo artist to help you and the certainty that this is the right choice for you. Portrait tattoos are usually done in black ink. If they were done in color, they’d blend in too much with the color of your own skin.

Animals – both tattoos of pets and of wild animals are often done in 3D to add depth and heighten the aesthetic value of the design. Usually tattooed in color for maximum realism, these tattoos tend to be quite large in order to preserve all the details and make the design more believable. Tigers, wolves, and lions are common choices, as are snakes and lizards.

Spiders – from black widows to huge tarantulas, realistic spiders make for awesome-looking tattoos in 3D. Though these insects generally cause most people to flinch and many are positively fearful of them (sometimes with good reason, after all), the symbolism of the spider is not altogether negative. They’re associated with power, mystery, and growth. Spiders also represent the concept that our choices construct our lives – likely due to the elaborate webs that spiders gradually build to catch prey.

Skulls – often combined with other elements, such as flowers or snakes, skulls never seem to lose popularity. In 3-dimensional tattoos they’re typically done in black ink, giving them a dark, gothic look. This fits in with the general cultural meanings of death and mortality that skulls bring to mind. Skulls also have some positive meanings, though – they’re sometimes associated with protection and wisdom.

Eyes – realistic-looking eyes, either single or in a pair, are another tattoo you’ll see a lot of while browsing our gallery. Eyes are symbolic of intelligence and omniscience, as well as morality and truth. In certain cultures, eyes are considered to be gateways into the soul – sometimes associated with the concept of the ‘third eye’. The third eye is supposed to be the eye of the soul – what could simply be called intuition. In Egyptian and Western occult traditions, the left eye symbolizes the moon and the North, while the right eye represents the sun and the South.

Landing insects

This is one of the most popular choices and one of the safest ones where it comes to achieving the desired effect.

And the effect you’re aiming for here is to make it look as if an insect, such as a butterfly or a dragonfly, has landed on your skin.

The insect is made to look realistic through painstaking work on the tattoo artist’s part – working with several reference images of real examples of your chosen insect to make sure it looks ‘real’ on your skin.

The tattoo is not complete without adding a shadow dropped by the insect – without it, the tattoo could still look somewhat flat.

The placement of a 3D landing insect tattoo is also an important factor to consider. Especially in the case of larger designs, the area can’t be too curved (like the top of your shoulder or your elbow), since this will distort the shape of the tattoo. For lifelike insect tattoos, consider your forearm, the back of your shoulder, or somewhere along your leg – such as your thigh or calf.

The sky’s the limit on what insect you could go with for your tattoo. You could think about what critters visually appeal to you, consider whether you have any personal stories or memories you associate with any particular insect, or take a cultural meaning or value associated with an insect as a starting point.

Butterflies

Butterflies are symbolic of transformation, first and foremost. This is because they start their lives as considerably less attractive caterpillars before transforming themselves into the colorful, beautiful flying insects.

They’re also associated with hope, change, and life itself. As such, they’re particularly meaningful 3D design choices if you want to celebrate an important change in your life or overcoming a difficult struggle. Butterflies are also sometimes thought to be symbolic of the passing of a loved one.

In addition to the above, a blue butterfly 3D tattoo generally symbolizes good luck. Yellow butterflies stand for joy, happiness, and positivity. White ones are associated with purity and, in the context of Christianity, salvation.

Dragonflies

Dragonflies have many meanings which differ somewhat between cultures. In general, they symbolize change, adaptability, transformation, and self-realization.

In Japanese culture, dragonflies are symbolic of power, victory, and agility. For Native Americans, dragonflies stood for happiness and purity, as well as for protection from ill health and injury. In Buddhist cosmology, dragonflies represent the joining of Heaven and Earth.

In tattoo art, dragonflies are often thought to represent living in the moment – letting go of the past, not worrying too much about the future, and focusing on what’s important to us here and now.

Cracked or ripped skin

These tattoo designs in 3D are way less grim than they sound. The 3D effect is achieved here by making it appear as if part of the skin is missing, to reveal something unexpected and unusual beneath.

It’s an interesting choice since this type of tattoo blends in perfectly and appears as if it really is a part of the person’s body.

Again, there are plenty of options here, limited only by your creativity and the size you want your tattoo to be.

Biomechanical

The biomechanical tattoo style involves designs which represent a seamless blend of human and machine. This means combining bones and tissue with gears, pistons, and other mechanical elements in one design, creating the illusion of a cyborg-like nature.

Though biomechanical designs are sometimes done as traditional, two-dimensional tattoos, the 3D option is far more popular. In order to show the blend of muscle and metal, the muscle must be ‘exposed’ – hence including the illusion of missing skin in the design.

Biomechanical tattoos don’t have any specific meanings in themselves – most of the time they’re purely a form of artistic expression and of decoration.

The biomechanical style in broader art movements originates from the 1970s and is closely associated with Ridley Scott’s 1979 movie Alien. In recent years, the steampunk style has influenced biomechanical tattoos – swapping the steel and cabling of traditional biomech for brass clockwork and gears.

Superheroes and other pop culture elements

A highly popular choice among ‘missing skin’ tattoos, this type is based on the idea of having a costume or a different appearance ‘under’ your skin.

Superheroes are a common theme here – you’re bound to have seen 3D tattoo pictures where it seems as if the person’s skin has been torn off to show a Spiderman or Batman costume underneath.

Characteristic, distinctive clothing/costumes, armors, and appearances of characters from movies, comic books, and games, are all great choices for this kind of tattoo.

An interesting twist is to have several tattoos with the same theme – a ‘rip’ on the chest is a classic, but you could also get matching tattoos, here and there, on other parts of your body – such as your shoulders, arms, and legs.

Writing

Using the 3D technique puts a new spin on the traditional quote tattoo. This kind of design usually involves making it appear as if the writing is under your skin, rather than on it.

To achieve this effect, the tattoo artist uses shading to create the illusion of a part of your skin missing, with the letters showing underneath.

There a couple of things to decide on when considering this kind of three-dimensional tattoo. First of all, you need to think about what the writing itself should be – you could opt for a name of a loved one, a quotation that’s important to you, or even a full page of text from a source that has personal meaning to you (e.g. your favorite book or a religious text).

Next up, the shape of the ‘cutout’ – it could look as if the skin is missing in a particular shape, such as a star, heart, or circle, or you could go for a less ordered ‘ripped’ look – as if it’s been scratched or torn off.

The fact that the writing will be ‘under’ your skin suggests that the text is not just important to you, but is a part of you. A 3D under-the-skin writing tattoo is therefore the perfect choice for writing that truly represents who you are, or who you want to be.

Optical illusions

An optical illusion uses perspective, shapes, color, and light/shade to create images that are deceptive, confusing, or misleading to our perception. Put simply, optical illusions cause us to see something that either doesn’t exist in reality or actually looks different than what we think it does.

There are many types of optical illusions out there, but the type we’re most interested in is based mostly on an illusion of depth. Think of graffiti art that makes it seem as if an image is ‘floating’ in the air, or of murals that make it look as if there’s a tunnel – when really, it’s just a plain, solid wall.