Popsugar Beauty Tattoos 50+ Hidden Tattoo Ideas and Inspiration 50+ Hidden Tattoos That Will Satisfy Your Craving For New Ink September 26, 2023 by Catherine Conelly Image Source: Getty / Edward Berthelot 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. — Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes, Clara Amelia, and Jessica Harrington 1 Hidden Tattoos: Baby Blooms A post shared by Indie Tattoos (@indietattoos) on Dec 12, 2016 at 6:26pm PST 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. 1 / 54 2 Hidden Tattoos: Palm Tree A post shared by Art On Skin Tattoo Gallery (@artonskintattoo) on Jun 26, 2017 at 3:25pm PDT This gorgeous tattoo is placed on the ear, hiding it in plain sight. 2 / 54 3 Hidden Tattoos: Little Branch A post shared by || tiny tattoos || (@tinie.tattoos) on Aug 9, 2017 at 6:43pm PDT This hidden tattoo features a delicate branch. 3 / 54 4 Hidden Tattoos: Seashell A post shared by || tiny tattoos || (@tinie.tattoos) on Aug 5, 2017 at 12:34am PDT This hidden tattoo of a seashell is placed on the ribs. 4 / 54 5 Hidden Tattoos: Angel Number View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorraine Morena (@iamthelorr) on Apr 10, 2020 at 1:07am PDT Angel-number tattoos are small, easy to hide, and super cute. 5 / 54 6 Hidden Tattoos: Space A post shared by 타투이스트우나 (@woonatattoo) on Aug 14, 2017 at 1:09am PDT You can get an entire space scene behind your ear as a hidden tattoo if you make it small enough. 6 / 54 7 Hidden Tattoos: Paw Print A post shared by Electric Ink Tattoo Studio (@electricinktattoostudio) on Jul 14, 2017 at 9:24pm PDT Pay tribute to your furry friend with a paw-print tattoo on your foot or toe. 7 / 54 8 Hidden Tattoos: Happiness A post shared by Inkspire_tattoo (@inkspirelove89) on Jun 14, 2017 at 12:51pm PDT The rib cage is one of the most popular places to hide tattoos. 8 / 54 9 Hidden Tattoos: Lettering A post shared by 위티버튼 (@wittybutton_tattoo) on Aug 16, 2017 at 9:59pm PDT The back of your ear is a great spot for minimalist hidden tattoos. 9 / 54 10 Hidden Tattoos: Double Triangle A post shared by [埼玉県川越市]tattoo studio (@defy.minimal) on Aug 14, 2017 at 12:17am PDT The back of the ear is one of the best and cutest hiding places for a tattoo. 10 / 54 11 Hidden Tattoos: Tiny Finger Tattoos View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝘽𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙠𝙚𝙚 (@bongkee_) on Jul 6, 2019 at 5:28am PDT The inside of your fingers is a good spot for hidden tattoos. 11 / 54 12 Hidden Tattoos: Small Heart View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂 𝑨𝒏𝒋𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂 - 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒊 (@mayoanj) on Nov 16, 2019 at 6:22am PST A small, red heart around the ribs is an excellent first tattoo. 12 / 54 13 Hidden Tattoos: Angel View this post on Instagram A post shared by Small Tattoo Inspiration ➰ (@inkster) on Jun 24, 2020 at 3:18am PDT Hide your tattoo in plain sight with a delicate fine-line design. 13 / 54 14 Hidden Tattoos: Smiley Face View this post on Instagram A post shared by CAMI ROMERO (@camiromer) on Dec 20, 2018 at 8:21am PST Your big toe is a good place to hide a cute, silly tattoo. 14 / 54 15 Hidden Tattoos: Happiness View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂 𝑨𝒏𝒋𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂 - 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒊 (@mayoanj) on May 28, 2019 at 5:57pm PDT This hidden tattoo features the word "happiness" in a dainty cursive font. 15 / 54 16 Hidden Tattoos: Nou Led Nou La (We Led Us There) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lydia Amor ~ Leicester (@tattooingbyamor) on Jun 26, 2020 at 4:51am PDT The shoulders are a great place for a hidden tattoo of a quote. 16 / 54 17 Hidden Tattoos: Positivity View this post on Instagram A post shared by MELSAYS (@melsays) on Jan 10, 2016 at 6:25pm PST The back of the arm holds many possibilities for different kinds of tattoos like quotes and lettering. 17 / 54 18 Hidden Tattoos: Butterfly View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂 𝑨𝒏𝒋𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂 - 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒊 (@mayoanj) on Nov 14, 2019 at 11:21pm PST This hidden tattoo features a cute, dainty butterfly right on the hipbone. 18 / 54 19 Hidden Tattoos: Olive Branch View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂 𝑨𝒏𝒋𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂 - 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒊 (@mayoanj) on Jun 2, 2019 at 9:31pm PDT This hidden tattoo features a beautiful olive branch. 19 / 54 20 Hidden Tattoos: Je T'aime View this post on Instagram A post shared by Анна Голая (@golaya.tatts) Tattoos located on the upper thigh and hip area are pretty easy to hide and make for a super-sexy placement. 20 / 54 21 Hidden Tattoos: Monarch Butterfly View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda Carmel (@0uchless) on Feb 2, 2020 at 6:19pm PST The feet are another cool hidden spot for tattoos, like this beautiful monarch butterfly. 21 / 54 22 Hidden Tattoos: Ellipsis View this post on Instagram A post shared by `❈´• 𝙽𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚍 •` ❈´ (@nothingwildtattoo) on Oct 1, 2017 at 4:37pm PDT A tiny ellipsis around the collarbone is another good first hidden tattoo idea if you're still unsure what to get. 22 / 54 23 Hidden Tattoos: Hello Kitty View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂 𝑨𝒏𝒋𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂 - 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒊 (@mayoanj) on Dec 23, 2019 at 6:17am PST Hello Kitty fits perfectly in this hidden small hip tattoo. 23 / 54 24 Hidden Tattoos: Astrological Symbol View this post on Instagram A post shared by 🌿 Tokela 🦊 (@tokela_natane) on Aug 27, 2019 at 3:43am PDT Astrological symbols are small, making them really easy to hide. 24 / 54 25 Hidden Tattoos: Constellations View this post on Instagram A post shared by Siyeon tattoo (@siyeon_tattoo) on Dec 26, 2019 at 5:14am PST A small, colorful constellation on the inside of the arm is an excellent idea for a hidden tattoo. 25 / 54 26 Hidden Tattoos: Dragonfly View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂 𝑨𝒏𝒋𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂 - 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒊 (@mayoanj) on Oct 27, 2019 at 12:55am PDT This hidden tattoo features a gorgeous, dainty dragonfly. 26 / 54 27 Hidden Tattoos: Girl Power View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mathias Tatoo (@mathiastatoo) on Jun 24, 2020 at 8:00am PDT Hidden small hip tattoos are super cool and mysterious. 27 / 54 28 Hidden Tattoos: Budding Rose View this post on Instagram A post shared by Luxury Dose (@doseluxury) on Jan 28, 2016 at 7:40am PST Hip tattoos don't have to be small to stay hidden. 28 / 54 29 Hidden Tattoos: Love Yourself View this post on Instagram A post shared by Z A Y A (@zaya) on Jun 25, 2019 at 11:30am PDT This tattoo features the quote "love yourself" in a gorgeous cursive font around the back. 29 / 54 30 Hidden Tattoos: Be Kind View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂 𝑨𝒏𝒋𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂 - 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒊 (@mayoanj) on Nov 20, 2019 at 7:31am PST Subtle lettering on the back of your arm is an amazing idea for a hidden tattoo. 30 / 54 31 Hidden Tattoos: Still I Rise View this post on Instagram A post shared by Small Tattoos (@small.tattoos) on Jan 20, 2016 at 10:09am PST The rib cage is the best spot if you want a quote tattoo that's private. 31 / 54 32 Hidden Tattoos: Stay Strong, Stay True, Stay U View this post on Instagram A post shared by מיסטר ג'ונס קעקועים (@mr.jones.tattoo) on May 4, 2019 at 10:51am PDT 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. 32 / 54 33 Hidden Tattoos: Easy Tiger View this post on Instagram A post shared by Z A Y A (@zaya) on Jul 7, 2019 at 1:08am PDT The sternum is one of the coolest hidden tattoo spots. 33 / 54 34 Hidden Tattoos: Happy and Sad View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂 𝑨𝒏𝒋𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂 - 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒊 (@mayoanj) on Dec 8, 2019 at 7:07pm PST This happy-and-sad-face tattoo proves once again the feet are a great spot to hide tattoos. 34 / 54 35 Hidden Tattoos: Paper Airplane View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂 𝑨𝒏𝒋𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂 - 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒊 (@mayoanj) on Sep 18, 2019 at 4:44am PDT An inner-lip tattoo is a great option if you want to keep it hidden while showing off your rebellious side. 35 / 54 36 Hidden Tattoos: Small Heart View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂 𝑨𝒏𝒋𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂 - 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒊 (@mayoanj) on Oct 11, 2019 at 4:30am PDT This chic hidden tattoo is a fine-line heart placed on the back of the shoulder. 36 / 54 37 Hidden Tattoos: Favorite Number View this post on Instagram A post shared by Small Tattoo Inspiration ➰ (@inkster) on Jun 27, 2020 at 3:10am PDT A number tattoo like this one would be very easy to hide because of how small and delicate it is. 37 / 54 38 Hidden Tattoos: Cloud and Rain View this post on Instagram A post shared by @_____tukoi_____ on Aug 26, 2019 at 9:32pm PDT You can get symbols tattooed on your fingers, like these cloud and rain tattoos. 38 / 54 39 Hidden Tattoos: Peace Sign View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂 𝑨𝒏𝒋𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂 - 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒊 (@mayoanj) on Aug 27, 2019 at 4:53am PDT Put the peace in your peace sign by getting a hidden tattoo of the symbol on the inside of a finger. 39 / 54 40 Hidden Tattoos: Gratitude View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂 𝑨𝒏𝒋𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂 - 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒊 (@mayoanj) on Oct 23, 2019 at 10:53pm PDT The ankle is another amazing spot to hide a tattoo. 40 / 54 41 Hidden Tattoos: Shark View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rosa Bluestone Perr (@bluestonebabe) on Jul 1, 2019 at 5:33pm PDT This cute hidden tattoo features a tiny shark located on the rib cage. 41 / 54 42 Hidden Tattoos: Girl Power View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝘛𝘙𝘈𝘝𝘌𝘓 ⋆ 𝘊𝘖𝘜𝘗𝘓𝘌 ⋆ 𝘞𝘈𝘕𝘋𝘌𝘙𝘓𝘜𝘚𝘛 (@laurapircher) on Jan 29, 2020 at 6:55am PST "Girl power" is shortened in this adorable hidden hip tattoo. 42 / 54 43 Hidden Tattoos: Tiny Rose View this post on Instagram A post shared by J O J O 🖤 C H R O N I C I N K (@joannamroman) on Jun 4, 2020 at 6:03pm PDT The inside of your finger is another great spot to hide tattoos. 43 / 54 44 Hidden Tattoos: Evil Eye View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christopher Vasquez (@tattoovasquez) on Jan 14, 2020 at 7:39pm PST This hidden tattoo features an evil eye colored on the inside of a finger. 44 / 54 45 Hidden Tattoos: Pineapple View this post on Instagram A post shared by Guillermo Carreon 🧔 (@guillermo_carreon_art) on Jan 14, 2020 at 1:38pm PST This small hidden tattoo is located on the lower stomach and concealed by the waistband. 45 / 54 46 Hidden Tattoos: Small Heart View this post on Instagram A post shared by ℋ Ꭿ ℕ ⅅ ℙ Ꮎ Ꮶ ℰ ⅅ ᏆᎯᏆᏆᎾᎾЅ (@tattoolivia) on Jan 9, 2019 at 12:54am PST This tattoo features an extra-tiny heart on the hand. 46 / 54 47 Hidden Tattoos: Baby Steps View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christopher Vasquez (@tattoovasquez) on Jun 6, 2019 at 6:55pm PDT This hidden tattoo features the word "baby steps" in a cute, minimalist font. 47 / 54 48 Hidden Tattoos: Rose View this post on Instagram A post shared by ⚡️Daniel Wox⚡️ (@daniel_wox) on Apr 6, 2019 at 5:03pm PDT This hidden tattoo features a colored red rose on the shoulder. 48 / 54 49 Hidden Tattoos: Night and Day View this post on Instagram A post shared by Louke Kreemers (@marrielou) on Feb 19, 2019 at 10:56pm PST This gorgeous hidden tattoo on the back depicts the contrast between day and night. 49 / 54 50 Hidden Tattoos: Small Diamond A photo posted by 위티버튼 (@wittybutton_tattoo) on Dec 11, 2016 at 5:56am PST This hidden tattoo of a small diamond is placed on the inside of a finger. 50 / 54 51 Hidden Tattoos: Always View this post on Instagram A post shared by Оля Кучерук (@olyakucheruktattoo) on Dec 10, 2018 at 2:02am PST If you want your hidden quote tattoo to be a little different, try using red ink. 51 / 54 52 Hidden Tattoos: Rose View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nef💋 (@nef_tattsart) on Sep 16, 2019 at 10:32pm PDT Your ankle is a great spot for dramatic tattoos. What you're wearing will affect whether it's visible or not. 52 / 54 53 Hidden Tattoos: Lust View this post on Instagram A post shared by Youre In Good Hands 💉 (@2realink) on May 27, 2019 at 11:04am PDT The butt makes for an amazing and sexy hidden tattoo spot. 53 / 54 Hidden Tattoos: Stay Wild View this post on Instagram A post shared by LANDO MÀGÌCO (@1nksane_tattoos) on Oct 13, 2019 at 12:48pm PDT Your hidden butt tattoo can also include a cheeky quote — no one will know it's there. 54 / 54 TattoosTiny TattoosMotivational QuotesBeauty TrendsStyle How-ToBeauty TipsFashion InstagramsWomenWellnessQuotes