How Much Does a Tattoo Cost in 2026? Prices by Size and Country
Tattoo price table by size for the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Europe: small tattoo, palm size, half sleeve, full sleeve and full back, with hours and sessions.
Short answer: In the US, a small tattoo (2–4 inches) usually costs $120 to $400, a palm-sized piece $250 to $800, a half sleeve $1,200 to $4,000, a full sleeve $2,400 to $8,000 and a full back $4,200 to $14,000. Most shops also charge a minimum of about $80 to $100, even for the tiniest tattoo. Color, realism and tricky spots such as ribs or hands cost more.
These figures are estimates worked out from hours and typical shop rates. They are not quotes. Try your own combination in the free tattoo cost calculator.
Tattoo prices by size and country
For a black and grey tattoo with standard detail, on an easy spot, by an experienced shop artist:
| Size | Hours | Sessions | US (USD) | UK (GBP) | Canada (CAD) | Australia (AUD) | Eurozone (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiny, under 2 in / 5 cm | 0.5–1 | 1 | 80–200 | 60–150 | 100–225 | 120–250 | 60–150 |
| Small, 2–4 in / 5–10 cm | 1–2 | 1 | 120–400 | 90–300 | 140–450 | 160–500 | 90–300 |
| Medium, palm size, 4–6 in / 10–15 cm | 2–4 | 1 | 250–800 | 180–600 | 275–875 | 325–1,000 | 180–600 |
| Large, 6–10 in / 15–25 cm | 4–7 | 2 | 475–1,400 | 350–1,050 | 550–1,550 | 650–1,750 | 350–1,050 |
| Extra large, over 10 in / 25 cm | 7–12 | 3 | 850–2,400 | 625–1,800 | 975–2,650 | 1,100–3,000 | 625–1,800 |
| Half sleeve | 10–20 | 4 | 1,200–4,000 | 900–3,000 | 1,400–4,400 | 1,600–5,000 | 900–3,000 |
| Full sleeve | 20–40 | 8 | 2,400–8,000 | 1,800–6,000 | 2,800–8,800 | 3,200–10,000 | 1,800–6,000 |
| Full back | 35–70 | 14 | 4,200–14,000 | 3,150–10,500 | 4,900–15,400 | 5,600–17,500 | 3,150–10,500 |
Sessions assume up to 5 hours in one sitting.
What the estimates assume
| Assumption | Value we use |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate, experienced artist | US $120–200, UK £90–150, Canada C$140–220, Australia A$160–250, eurozone €90–150 |
| Hourly rate, apprentice | US $60–100, UK £50–80, Canada C$80–120, Australia A$90–140, eurozone €50–80 |
| Hourly rate, in-demand artist | US $200–350, UK £150–250, Canada C$220–350, Australia A$250–400, eurozone €150–250 |
| Shop minimum | US $80, UK £60, Canada C$100, Australia A$120, eurozone €60 |
| Simple designs (minimalist, fine line, lettering) | 25% less time |
| Detailed designs (Japanese, neo-traditional, ornamental) | 30% more time |
| Realism and portraits | 60% more time |
| Color instead of black and grey | 20% more time |
| Ribs, hands, neck, feet, joints | 20% more time |
These rates are our own assumptions, and published guides differ. For comparison, Tommy's Supplies and Airtasker publish their own US price guides. Big cities cost more than small towns.
Other costs to plan for
- Deposit: many artists ask for a deposit to book, which usually comes off the final price.
- Tip: in the US and Canada, 15–20% is customary.
- Aftercare: a healing balm and unscented soap.
- Touch-ups: ask whether a free touch-up is included after healing.
- Custom drawing: some artists charge for several rounds of changes. Bringing a clear reference saves time.
How to pay less without getting a worse tattoo
- Bring a clear design. Less drawing time means less cost. The AI tattoo generator makes 4 designs in about 20 seconds, as a reference for your artist.
- Check the size first. Size drives the price most. Try the design on a photo of your body before you book.
- Choose black and grey. It takes about 20% less time than color in our estimates.
- Combine small ideas. One session avoids paying the minimum several times.
- Don't choose on price alone. A cheap tattoo you later want to hide costs far more. Cover-ups are usually bigger and darker than the original.
FAQ
How much does a small tattoo cost?
In the US, usually $80 to $400, depending on detail. The tiniest pieces are charged the shop minimum.
How much does a full sleeve cost?
About $2,400 to $8,000 in the US for black and grey, over roughly 8 sessions. Color or realism can go well beyond that.
Is it cheaper to pay by the hour or by the piece?
Small pieces are usually a flat price. Large work is usually hourly. Ask for an estimate of total hours before you start.
Why do tattoos on ribs and hands cost more?
They are harder to tattoo because the skin moves or stretches and the area is sensitive, so they take longer.