Free · realistic ranges
Tattoo Cost Calculator
Pick size, placement, detail and city to see a realistic price range, the hours involved and what to tip.
Estimated price
$100–$250
USD, before tip · a range, not a quote
Preview free in your browser · download or print: 1 credit · Credits
- Time
- 1–1.5 h
- Sessions
- 1
- Tip (15–20%)
- $15–$50
- Pain
Shop minimums and artist demand change the final price.
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- Price
- Free, no sign-up
- Inputs
- Size, placement, detail, ink, region
- Results
- Price, hours, sessions, tip, pain
- Regions
- US, UK, Canada, Australia, EU
Use this tattoo cost calculator to get a realistic price range before you message a studio. Choose size, placement, detail, ink and where you’ll get it to see the estimated price, hours, sessions, a suggested tip and a pain rating.
No. 01
How the tattoo price calculator works
The calculator follows a simple model: time multiplied by an hourly rate, with a shop minimum as the floor. It estimates the hours from size, detail, placement and color, applies typical rates for your region and shows the result as a range – never a quote.
- 1. Size and placement
- Choose from tiny (under 1 in / 2.5 cm) to a full sleeve, then pick one of 13 body areas.
- 2. Detail and ink
- Simple linework, some shading, detailed shading or realism – in black and grey or color.
- 3. Region
- A major US city, elsewhere in the US, the UK, Canada, Australia or the EU, with prices in local currency.
No. 02
How much does a tattoo cost?
Beyond the shop minimum, price mostly tracks time. Here’s what the calculator estimates for black and grey work with some shading on the forearm – first for most of the US, then for major cities such as New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Color, heavy detail and harder placements push these numbers up; simple linework brings them down. All prices are before tip. The UK, Canada, Australia and the EU follow the same model in local currency – pick your region in the calculator to see them.
- Tiny (under 1 in)
- $80–$130, or $120–$190 in a major city. About half an hour, so usually the shop minimum.
- Small (1–3 in)
- $100–$250, or $140–$380 in a major city. Around 1–1.5 hours.
- Medium (3–6 in)
- $240–$630, or $360–$940 in a major city. Roughly 2–3 hours for a palm-sized piece.
- Large (6–10 in)
- $500–$1,250, or $700–$1,900 in a major city. 4–6.5 hours, often split over two sessions.
- Extra large
- $1,150–$3,000, or $1,750–$4,500 in a major city. Half a back or a thigh: 9.5–15 hours over about three sessions.
- Full sleeve
- $2,900–$7,500, or $4,300–$11,250 in a major city. Roughly 24–38 hours across around eight sessions.
No. 03
What affects tattoo prices
Two tattoos of the same size can differ in price by hundreds of dollars. These are the main reasons:
- Size and time
- The biggest factor. Larger pieces take more hours, and hours are what you pay for.
- Detail
- Realism and intricate work can take nearly twice as long as a design with some shading. A medium realism piece comes out around $450–$1,150 in the calculator.
- Color
- Color usually adds 20–30% to the time, because each shade has to be packed in evenly. A medium color piece estimates at $300–$780.
- Placement
- Ribs, fingers, hands and the neck are harder to work on, adding up to about 30% more time.
- Region and artist
- Hourly rates in the calculator run $120–$200 across most of the US and $180–$300 in major cities. In-demand artists can charge well above that – something no calculator can predict.
- Shop minimum
- Even a tiny tattoo covers setup and single-use supplies, so studios set a minimum: $80 in the calculator for most of the US and $120 in major cities.
- Custom drawing
- A custom piece takes drawing time before the appointment. Some artists include it in the price; others charge for it or take it from the deposit.
No. 04
How much to tip your tattoo artist
In the US, a tip of 15–20% of the total is customary, and the calculator shows that range with every estimate. Tip on the final price, not just the deposit, in cash or however the studio accepts it. For a large piece done over several sessions, tipping at each session is common and keeps it manageable. If you’re unsure how a studio handles tips, ask when you book – it’s a normal question.
Customs differ elsewhere: in the UK, Australia and much of Europe, tips are appreciated rather than expected. Beyond money, a review, a referral or a photo that credits the artist all help someone who earns a living from their work.
No. 05
How to get an accurate quote from a studio
An estimate gets you into the right range; a quote comes from the artist. Make it easy for them by covering these points in your first message:
- The design
- A reference image or your own design, plus anything you’d like changed.
- Size and placement
- Approximate size in inches or centimeters and a photo of the area.
- Color and style
- Black and grey or color, and the style you’re after.
- Your budget
- An honest range helps the artist suggest a size or level of detail that fits it.
- Questions to ask
- The shop minimum, hourly or per-piece pricing, how the deposit works and whether touch-ups are included.
- If it’s over budget
- Reduce the size or detail rather than haggling, and be wary of quotes far below the usual range for large work.
No. 06
Hours, sessions and pain explained
The calculator plans sessions of up to about five hours, a common upper limit for a single sitting. A large piece showing 4–6.5 hours will usually be split into two sittings, with healing time in between. Many artists would rather book an extra sitting than push past your limit, because tired skin and a tired client both make the work harder.
The pain rating comes from the placement alone, on a 1–10 scale: around 3 for the forearm or upper arm, up to 9 for the ribs. Your own experience will vary, but it’s a useful way to compare spots before you commit.
FAQ
Tattoo Cost Calculator FAQ
How accurate is the tattoo cost calculator?
It gives a realistic range based on typical hourly rates and shop minimums for your region, adjusted for size, detail, color and placement. Real quotes can land outside it: in-demand artists charge more, and complex custom work takes longer. Use it to set a budget, then get a quote from the artist.
How much is a small tattoo?
In most of the US, a tiny or small tattoo – up to about 3 inches – runs from the shop minimum of around $80 up to about $250 in the calculator. In major cities such as New York or Los Angeles, expect roughly $120–$380. Fine detail or color adds to that.
How much does a full sleeve cost?
A full sleeve in black and grey with some shading estimates at $2,900–$7,500 across most of the US and $4,300–$11,250 in major cities. That reflects roughly 24–38 hours of tattooing, usually spread over many sessions. Color, realism and an in-demand artist push it higher.
Do tattoo artists charge by the hour?
Many do for medium and large work, while small pieces and flash are often priced per piece. Most studios also have a minimum charge, and some artists offer day rates for big projects. Ask how your artist prices before you book, so the final total isn’t a surprise.
Is a color tattoo more expensive than black and grey?
Usually, because color takes longer to pack in evenly. The calculator adds about 25% more time for color, so a medium forearm piece goes from $240–$630 in black and grey to $300–$780 in color across most of the US. Bold, simple color designs keep the difference small.
Why do some placements cost more?
Ribs, hands, fingers and the neck have stretchy, bony or curved skin that takes longer to work on, and clients often need more breaks there. More time means a higher price – the calculator adds up to about 30% extra time for the hardest areas.
What is a shop minimum?
It’s the lowest price a studio charges for any tattoo, however small. It covers setup, single-use needles and supplies, cleaning and the artist’s time. In the calculator it’s $80 across most of the US and $120 in major cities, which is why tiny tattoos cost more per square inch.
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