50+ Hidden Tattoos That Will Satisfy Your Craving For New Ink

Updated on May 9, 2024 at 1:45 PM

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.

Baby Blooms Hip Tattoo

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.

Palm Tree Ear Tattoo

This gorgeous tattoo is placed on the ear, hiding it in plain sight.

Little Branch Rib Tattoo

This hidden tattoo features a delicate branch.

Seashell Side-Boob Tattoo

This hidden tattoo of a seashell is placed on the ribs.

Angel Number Elbow Tattoo

Angel-number tattoos are small, easy to hide, and super cute.

Space Behind-the-Ear Tattoo

You can get an entire space scene behind your ear as a hidden tattoo if you make it small enough.

Paw Print Toe Tattoo

Pay tribute to your furry friend with a paw-print tattoo on your foot or toe.

Happiness Under-Boob Tattoo

The rib cage is one of the most popular places to hide tattoos.

Behind-the-Ear Lettering Tattoo

The back of your ear is a great spot for minimalist hidden tattoos.

Tiny Finger Tattoos

The inside of your fingers is a good spot for hidden tattoos.

Small Heart Rib Tattoo

A small, red heart around the ribs is an excellent first tattoo.

Angel Arm Tattoo

Hide your tattoo in plain sight with a delicate fine-line design.

Smiley Face Toe Tattoo

Your big toe is a good place to hide a cute, silly tattoo.

Happiness Under-Boob Tattoo

This hidden tattoo features the word "happiness" in a dainty cursive font.

Nou Led Nou La (We Led Us There) Shoulder Tattoo

The shoulders are a great place for a hidden tattoo of a quote.

Positivity Arm Tattoo

The back of the arm holds many possibilities for different kinds of tattoos like quotes and lettering.

Butterfly Hip Tattoo

This hidden tattoo features a cute, dainty butterfly right on the hipbone.

Olive Branch Side Tattoo

This hidden tattoo features a beautiful olive branch.

Je T'aime Hip Tattoo

Tattoos located on the upper thigh and hip area are pretty easy to hide and make for a super-sexy placement.

Monarch Butterfly Foot Tattoo

The feet are another cool hidden spot for tattoos, like this beautiful monarch butterfly.

Ellipsis Collarbone Tattoo

A tiny ellipsis around the collarbone is another good first hidden tattoo idea if you're still unsure what to get.

Hello Kitty Hip Tattoo

Hello Kitty fits perfectly in this hidden small hip tattoo.

Astrological Symbol Rib Tattoo

Astrological symbols are small, making them really easy to hide.

Constellations Arm Tattoo

A small, colorful constellation on the inside of the arm is an excellent idea for a hidden tattoo.

Dragonfly Back Tattoo

This hidden tattoo features a gorgeous, dainty dragonfly.

Girl Power Hip Tattoo

Hidden small hip tattoos are super cool and mysterious.

Budding Rose Hip Tattoo

Hip tattoos don't have to be small to stay hidden.

Love Yourself Back Tattoo

This tattoo features the quote "love yourself" in a gorgeous cursive font around the back.

Be Kind Elbow Tattoo

Subtle lettering on the back of your arm is an amazing idea for a hidden tattoo.

Still I Rise Side Tattoo

The rib cage is the best spot if you want a quote tattoo that's private.

Stay Strong, Stay True, Stay U Shoulder Tattoo

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.

Easy Tiger Sternum Tattoo

The sternum is one of the coolest hidden tattoo spots.

Happy and Sad Foot Tattoo

This happy-and-sad-face tattoo proves once again the feet are a great spot to hide tattoos.

Paper Airplane Lip Tattoo

An inner-lip tattoo is a great option if you want to keep it hidden while showing off your rebellious side.

Small Heart Shoulder Tattoo

This chic hidden tattoo is a fine-line heart placed on the back of the shoulder.

Favorite Number Wrist Tattoo

A number tattoo like this one would be very easy to hide because of how small and delicate it is.

Cloud and Rain Finger Tattoos

You can get symbols tattooed on your fingers, like these cloud and rain tattoos.

Peace Sign Finger Tattoo

Put the peace in your peace sign by getting a hidden tattoo of the symbol on the inside of a finger.

Gratitude Ankle Tattoo

The ankle is another amazing spot to hide a tattoo.

Shark Rib Tattoo

This cute hidden tattoo features a tiny shark located on the rib cage.

Girl Power Hip Tattoo

"Girl power" is shortened in this adorable hidden hip tattoo.

Tiny Rose Finger Tattoo

The inside of your finger is another great spot to hide tattoos.

Evil Eye Finger

This hidden tattoo features an evil eye colored on the inside of a finger.

Baby Steps Arm Tattoo

This hidden tattoo features the word "baby steps" in a cute, minimalist font.

Rose Shoulder Tattoo

This hidden tattoo features a colored red rose on the shoulder.

Night and Day Back Tattoo

This gorgeous hidden tattoo on the back depicts the contrast between day and night.

Small Diamond Finger Tattoo

This hidden tattoo of a small diamond is placed on the inside of a finger.

Always Wrist Tattoo

If you want your hidden quote tattoo to be a little different, try using red ink.

Rose Ankle Tattoo

Your ankle is a great spot for dramatic tattoos. What you're wearing will affect whether it's visible or not.

Lust Butt Tattoo

The butt makes for an amazing and sexy hidden tattoo spot.

Stay Wild Butt Tattoo

Your hidden butt tattoo can also include a cheeky quote — no one will know it's there.

— Additional reporting by Clara Amelia and Jessica Harrington

Catherine Conelly is a PS contributor.

Clara Amelia was an operations support associate at POPSUGAR.

Jessica Harrington is the senior beauty editor at PS, where she writes about hair, makeup, skin care, piercings, tattoos, and more. As a New York City-based writer and editor with a degree in journalism and over eight years of industry experience, she loves to interview industry experts, keep up with the latest trends, and test new products.