Behind the Ear Tattoos for Men
Men often choose bolder, darker shapes for this spot: a dagger, a raven or a flame. These 20 small designs stay readable behind the ear. Click any design to make your own version.
a small daggerBlackworkMake a similar design → 
a raven headBlackworkMake a similar design → 
a small flameTraditionalMake a similar design → 
a tiny crossBlackworkMake a similar design → 
a small curved tribal bladeTribalMake a similar design → 
a small sharp diamond shapeGeometricMake a similar design → 
a tiny wolf headBlackworkMake a similar design → 
a small spadeTraditionalMake a similar design → 
a small crownBlackworkMake a similar design → 
a thin lightning boltFine lineMake a similar design → 
a small bat with open wingsBlackworkMake a similar design → 
a tiny swallowTraditionalMake a similar design → 
a tiny eyeBlackworkMake a similar design → 
a small tribal sunTribalMake a similar design → 
a sharp tally of three linesMinimalistMake a similar design → 
a small skullBlackworkMake a similar design → 
an upside down triangle with a dotGeometricMake a similar design → 
a thin barbed wire curveFine lineMake a similar design → 
a tiny serpentBlackworkMake a similar design → 
a tiny anchorTraditionalMake a similar design →
Short haircuts leave this tattoo on show, so it should look clean from a distance. Solid black shapes and thick outlines read better than thin line work on this curved patch of skin.
A tattoo here pairs well with neck pieces you may add later. Ask your artist to follow the line of the hairline, so that the design looks planned, not just placed.
All designs on this page were made with TattooGen AI. Treat them as ideas and let your artist adapt them to your body.
Questions
Will a behind the ear tattoo show at work?
With short hair it usually will. If that matters, longer hair or a spot slightly lower toward the neck changes how much shows, so try the placement on a photo.
What size should I ask for?
Usually an inch or two tall. Your artist will check how much flat skin you have behind the ear before finalising the stencil.