40 Tiny Tattoos That Prove Bigger Isn't Always Better

If you’re looking for grandiose 20 session tattoos this isn’t the right place for you. We’ve decided to devote some time to the little guys, which as you’ll soon find out, can be just as impressive as their larger counterparts.

Unsurprisingly, smaller tattoos are far more popular than larger tattoos for obvious reasons. They’re more affordable, less time consuming initially, and most people feel they’re not as big of a commitment, which is true for the most part. After all, it is easier to remove a tattoo the size of a peanut versus something covering the entirety of your upper back.

From small one word tattoos, to tiny flowers and everyday objects, small tattoos are a beautiful choice for anyone looking for their first tattoo. Let’s take a look at a few delightful examples of some of the best small tattoos that prove that bigger ink isn’t always better.

These tiny lips.

I remember a time when lip tattoos were all the rage, which was somewhere in between the time of Tommy Lee’s neck tattoo of Pamela Anderson’s lips, to the last time N’Sync was in a room together. Luckily for the rest of us, not so much those who have them, those big red smacker tattoos went the way of the dodo. (Photo: Jon Boy)

This arrangement of bones.

The thing about tiny tattoos is that no matter what you get if it’s small enough, it always seems to look good. Maybe that’s why all the “Tiny Tattoo” Instagram accounts are so popular.

This fearless foot tattoo.

This gorgeous “fearless” tattoo seems to almost follow the contour of the foot. A timeless cursive font includes trailing lines at the beginning and end of the word. (Photo: Jon Boy)

This adorable ghost.

Ghosts are supposed to be spooky but this one is just too small and too cute to scare anyone. (Photo: Olive)

This simple heart.

Ah the heart. Definitely one of the most popular tattoo designs year in and year out. This simple minimalistic outline may be small but it represents humankind’s strongest emotions — love and affection. (Photo: Haley)

This watercolor hobgoblin.

This lovely little barn owl is superbly accented with watercolor style fill. Barn owls are the most widespread species of owl in the world and are easily recognizable by their heart-shaped snowy white face. Barn owls go by many names, including ghost owl, church owl, death owl, delicate owl, rat owl, cave owl, monkey-faced owl, hissing owl, and my personal favorite, the hobgoblin owl. (Photo: Jay Shin)

This floating balloon.

A single balloon floating in the air. Yes please. Does anyone else automatically think of the movie UP whenever they see a balloon? (Photo: Jon Boy)

This Michelangelo-inspired forearm tat.

If you don’t recognize this scene from the Sistine Chapel, you should probably read a book, enroll in a few online classes, or write a letter to your congressman. (Jay Shin)

These two nearly-touching hands are the focal point of Michelangelo’s famed The Creation of Adam fresco that adorns the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. This particular fresco is the most well-known and widely reproduced panel in the chapel.

These kitty whiskers.

Whiskers with a heart for a nose. Although this tattoo might not qualify as “tiny,” it was too precious not to include on the list. (Photo: Guilherme Trein)