According to a study done by the American Journal of Human Biology, tattoos can actually improve your health and, not to mention, they can make great bonding moments with your friends or loved ones. Plus, you can get one so teeny that all it takes is a dab of makeup to cover it completely. Whether you’re looking for an excuse to get a small flower tattoo with your bestie or you just want to fall down the tattoo rabbit hole, take a peek at our favorite Instagram small tattoo inspirations. If you didn’t want a cute small tattoo before, we’ll bet you’ll definitely want one now! For more tat inspo, check out these 40 best mother-daughter tattoo ideas.

70 Small Tattoos

  1. Moon Phases  If you’re looking for a small tattoo that’s a little bit more magical, check out this moon-inspired tat by @tattoodayco! What’s cool about this one, in particular, is that it’s temporary. So you can play around with placement options before you commit to real ink!
  2. Follow Your Arrow This small tat inspiration from @alexandraanderss would add a funky and gorgeous edge to any backless dress but also hold a huge meaning. Remember: no matter how far an arrow is pulled back, they always go forward!
  3. Just Keep Breathing A “breathe” tattoo is becoming extremely popular lately, especially now that mental illness is being seen as a real issue in the world. This small tattoo by @liah_tattoo serves as a great reminder for those suffering from anxiety or depression.
  4. Fly Free Butterflies symbolize freedom, beauty, and change. If you find yourself embarking on a new transition in your life, this tattoo by @vhoguekiss may be right for you!
  5. Salt Life Life’s a beach! If you much rather spend your time near the ocean waves, take some small tattoo inspiration from @renan.novaes to forever show your love for life on the sand.
  6. Tiny Bubbles If you’re looking for a fun way to commemorate wine night with the gals, check out this tiny tat from @justsmalltattoos! What’s great about these BFF tats is that they’ll be done so quickly, you can easily pour yourself a glass of bubbly to celebrate when you’re done.
  7. Give Peace A Chance They say that olive branches are the universal symbol of peace. This tiny tattoo by @mayo.ttt can symbolize your inner peace and beauty!
  8. Book Lover’s Dream There’s something special about a good book. Commemorate your love of getting lost in stories with this minimalist book tattoo by @wittybutton_tattoo!
  9. On Angel’s Wings Angel wing tattoos can take on many meanings, including freedom, faith, and protection. This small tattoo by @joannamroman can also be a simplistic memorial tattoo for someone who has passed on.
  10. Teeny Tiny Dinos If you’re looking for a fun sibling or friend tattoo, look no further than this inspiration from @playground_tat2! It will help you celebrate the roaring good times you’ve shared together, forever.
  11. Bright Idea Lightbulb tattoos commonly represent boldness, brightness and are associated with ideas of enlightenment. So if you feel like you’re on to your next bright idea, check out this small tattoo inspiration from @tattoobychang!
  12. Lashes, Lashes, Lashes If you’re a lover of all things beauty related, check out this gorgeous small tattoo from @thecrayoner. You can either keep it simplistic or draw inspiration from false lashes for a more dramatic effect.
  13. Heart on Your Sleeve Anatomical heart tattoos mainly convey friendship, love, and commemorate adoration feelings. This simplistic realistic heart by @mnsantanatattoo may also represent centralization and unity of life since the human heart is located in the center of your body!
  14. Eye See You Eye tattoos can represent clairvoyance, omniscience, and a gateway into the soul. You can either get a small tattoo like this one from @deadandsoul or opt for one that has more intricate and detailed.
  15. A Little Bit Magical Bring a little whimsy and fun into your small tattoo with this adorable unicorn by @wickynicky! A unicorn tattoo usually represents purity, freedom, gentleness, innocence, divinity, and magic.
  16. Ride the Wave Celebrate life’s ups and downs with this simplistic wave tattoo from @loko_lines. Wave tattoos also represent a certain level of duality, as they have been known to swallow sailors who sail the seven seas but also propel them to their destinations!
  17. Dream Big This small tattoo by @masa_tattooer will set the manifestation that if you dream big, things will be big! Elephants are also a universal symbol of strength, loyalty, divinity, and good luck!
  18. The Boy Who Lived Calling all Potterheads! If you still can’t get enough of HP and the gang, even after all these years, consider a little tribute tattoo to your favorite book series like this one from @cagridurmaz.
  19. Tiny Masterpiece If you love classical art, try fitting your favorite masterpiece into a small tattoo! This one by @soltattoo is a great example of a Vincent van Gogh piece.
  20. Little Moment of Zen Bring a little calmness into your life with this peaceful Buddha from @mr.k_tattoo. This small tattoo is perfect for anyone looking to achieve enlightenment.
  21. Tiny Tulip Literally, put a little spring in your step with a small tulip tattoo like this one from @graffittoo. The watercolor effect makes it that much daintier and elegant!
  22. Small Hummingbird Overcome life’s obstacles with a hummingbird tattoo by @drag_ink. Although a hummingbird represents overcoming difficult times, it also has many other meanings, including love, joy, hope, life, and charm.
  23. Enchanted Rose Don something that’s as old as time like this enchanted rose tattoo from @poonkaros. You’ll definitely feel like a princess after you get this small tattoo.
  24. Tiny Avocado Back in ancient times, the avocado was considered a natural aphrodisiac, so an avocado tattoo like this one from @lena_fedchenko can represent love, passion, and sexuality. Or, you can get it simply because you can’t resist eating the green fruit!
  25. Small Hourglass A small tattoo of an hourglass, like this one from @oktattooer, can symbolize time and so much more. An hourglass tattoo is a perfect reminder that our time on this Earth is valuable and is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to make the most out of life.
  26. Tiny Pet Tattoo If your pet is more like your fur child, etch them into your skin like this small tattoo by @nandotattooer. It is a perfect way to ensure your pet stays with you always!
  27. Pinky Promise We’ve all been making pinky promises since we were children. But, a small tattoo like the one from @evantattoo can take on a deeper meaning like a promise between two friends with the same tattoo!
  28. Watercolor Snowflakes Make winter a little bit more colorful with this small tattoo from @tattooist_banul! This multicolored tattoo is a beautiful reminder that everyone is different and unique.
  29. Rainbows Are Forever Rainbows in tattoos can take on multiple meanings. Like this design from @mini_tattooer, this colorful sky ornament can represent a love of life and color plus peace, friendship, and joy!
  30. Small Historical Figures Calling all history buffs! If you can’t get enough of one historical figure, consider getting a small tattoo of their bust or portrait like this Queen Nefertiti one done by @maxe_brother.
  31. Leaving On a Jet Plane Celebrate your love of traveling by a tiny jet plane tattoo like this one done by @theblackwhitelines. It’s a great way to commemorate all the places you’ve gone!
  32. It’s Electrifying In Greek mythology, the god Zeus used the lightning bolt as a weapon. As a small tattoo like this one by @winterstone, the lightning bolt could represent power, strength, and intelligence!
  33. All Ears for You If you can’t decide which photo of your pet you love the most for your pet tattoo, consider getting an outline of just their ears like this small tattoo from @jt_tattoo  or another distinguishing feature. It’ll make the tattoo experience purr-fect!
  34. Tiny Traditional Tattoos If you’re looking to go more of the traditional tattoo route, check out line designs and patterns like this one by @rachainsworth!
  35. It’s a Small Tattoo After All Looking to feel like Disney royalty? Talk to your tattoo artist about a small watercolor tattoo of your all-time favorite characters from the House of Mouse. You can either select one or multiple like this Little Mermaid-inspired tattoo by @tattooistmuha!
  36. Tattoo Finger Jewelry If you’re looking to give your hands a little bit of decoration but can’t stand the idea of wearing rings or bracelets opt for tasteful dots and curly line designs instead. Check out this small tattoo done by @ann_pokes for inspiration!
  37. Shine Bright Like a Diamond In Greek, the word diamond means strength and invincibility. However, it can also mean the importance of inner beauty. No matter what the meaning a small diamond tattoo like this one from @mini_happiness_tattoo is sure to sparkle no matter what!
  38. Tiny Brush Strokes If you or someone you know is always hunching over in canvas, covered in paint, why not commemorate your art with a small tattoo? Choose your favorite colors and go for a realistic style like this tattoo from @tattoo_a_piece.
  39. Bee Yourself Honey bees often represent hard work and cooperation. However, since they will give up their own life defending their home, they also make great symbols of loyalty and courage. Given their noble meanings, these small tattoos would be a great idea for BFF tats as seen here by @jonboytattoo!
  40. The Whole World If you dream of far-off places, why not get the whole world tattooed like this one by  @ilwolhongdam? Every time you visit a different continent, get it colored in!
  41. Tiny Piano Keys Celebrate your love of classical piano with this unique small line tattoo by @okanuckun. Ask your tattoo artist how you can recreate the look or come up with something similar that’s all your own!
  42. Catch a Shooting Star Create your own celestial cluster that you’ll carry around forever like this star-inspired small tattoo by @seoeontattoo. Make sure you put it in a place you’ll always see to remind yourself that you are out of this world!
  43. Small Mountain Range If you’re lucky enough to live by a mountain range or dream of scaling cliffs someday, consider a minimal tattoo like this one done by @tattooist_doy. A small tattoo like this one is a great way to commemorate your love and respect for nature.
  44. Small Dragons If you love the worlds of The Lord of the Rings or going through some serious Game of Thrones withdrawals, take inspiration from this dragon piece from @bastian.tattoo! With a fantastical small tattoo, you can become your own dragon master.
  45. Tiny Galaxy Take your love for parts unknown with a simple space-inspired small tattoo like this one by @sofar.seoul! You can even add little alien spaceships to make the piece even more fun.
  46. Smiles All-Around Looking for a small tattoo that’s just plain old fun and maybe even a little bit silly? This amusing tattoo by @enzetattoo is great if you’re looking for a tattoo that will give you a chuckle!
  47. An Apple a Day You know what they say, an apple a day takes the doctor away! However, an apple tattoo like this one from @cagridurmaz can symbolize fertility, love, and sensuality.
  48. Small Desert The beauty of a desert cactus tattoo has more meanings than it does looks! In general, a cactus tattoo like this beauty by @bluestonebabe represents endurance, protection, warmth and care.
  49. What’s Your Sign? If you consider yourself an astrological buff, why not commemorate it by getting the constellation of your own zodiac like this one from @renan.sampaio? By using a tiny needle, your tattoo artist can easily make it look small and delicate.
  50. Stand Tall A giraffe tattoo like this one by @1991.ink is popular because of their sensitivity and kind nature. However, giraffes can also symbolize spiritual and worldly matters or the balance between the head and the heart.
  51. The Whole Universe If you can’t commit to just a single cluster of stars or constellations, why not just get a tiny milky way like this tiny galaxy from @minustattoo? You can choose your favorite planet or star to put in the middle!
  52. Tiny Tacos By getting this tattoo inspired by @inkbyfrank, you’re reminding yourself and anyone who sees it to live más!
  53. Small Air Balloon A tiny air balloon tattoo like this one from @tattooist_arar can be a really cute and whimsical design if drawn correctly. You can also put your favorite phrase or word to get yourself to new heights in life!
  54. Tiny Koi Fish Koi fish tattoos often symbolize the struggles one has overcome or is overcoming in their own life. However, this small tattoo by @ghinkos has the koi fish represent more of a yin and yang theme. That’s the beauty of tattoos– you can put whatever meaning you want into them!
  55. New Baby Footprint A small tattoo of their handprint or footprint like this one from @jayshintattoo can be a great way to celebrate the arrival of a new little one. This way, you can make sure they stay that little forever!
  56. Tiny Cityscape If you are lucky enough to have left your heart in a city like New York or Chicago, commemorate it with a tattoo of the famous skyline. Don’t want to get the whole skyline? Don’t worry! It can just be a couple of buildings that are meaningful to you like this small tattoo by @sarakori.
  57. Cute Little Lemon Wedge Just like lemon juice helps cleanse the body, a lemon tattoo like this one by @fraukekatze can symbolize the cleansing of negative energy. Sometimes, it is also a symbol of longevity, purification, love, and friendship!
  58. Small Mushroom Feel like you just came out of a fairy tale with a small mushroom tattoo like this one from @hoa_eternity! On the plus side, many cultures see the mushroom as a symbol of good luck and longevity.
  59. Cute Animal Caricature If you’re looking for a small tattoo that’s a little bit more on the cutesy side, pick your favorite animals and ask your tattoo artist to give them a kawaii makeover like this tattoo from @jayshintattoo.
  60. Delicate Minimalist Tattoo If you want a tattoo that won’t draw too much attention, give a minimalist tattoo design like this one by @lagrainetattoo a try! You can even put it in a conspicuous place so you can easily cover it up.
  61. Light My Fire Fire symbolizes many things, including passion, desire, rebirth, and resurrection. This tiny tattoo by @ceva.tattoo is a perfect reminder to pursue all the things you desire with blazing determination!
  62. Strive for PEARfection In many ancient cultures, pears symbolize inner peace, abundance, and longevity. This minimalistic tattoo from @unotattoonyc is a great small tattoo of this lucky fruit!
  63. Death By Rock and Roll Who says rock and roll is dead? This small tattoo by @tatu_panda says otherwise!
  64. Sun and Moon Sun and moon tattoos are known to represent a merging of opposites, unity, and cooperation instead of conflict, and rebirth. You can get it filled with intricate details or just get simple lines like this inspiration from @jakenowicz.
  65. Holding Hands Representing romantic love or even friendship, a holding hand tattoo can take on many meanings. This small tattoo by @pauline.tattoo is a great example of a classic piece.
  66. Tiny Constellations If you’re looking for more of a celestial BFF tattoo find a constellation that best represents you and your bestie or come up with your starscape. This small tattoo by @jooyfava is perfect for long-distance friends.
  67. All You Need is Love Words can be powerful. Choose a word like “peace” or use @smalltattoo_ideas’s example of “love”  to serve as your forever daily reminder.
  68. Girl Power Who run the world? Girls. If you’re a proud feminist, consider getting a small tattoo of the Venus tattoo like this one from @jingstattoo.
  69. Famous Friends If you and your BFF are considering getting matching small tattoos pull inspiration from your favorite childhood tv shows! In this example, @masa_tattooer shows Snoopy and Woodstock but you can choose any nostalgic friends.
  70. Flower Band Flowers are a great choice for a tattoo that’s extremely elegant and dainty. Try a small watercolor tattoo of your favorite flowers that wraps around your ankle or your thigh like this inspirational photo from @soltattoo.
70 Small Tattoos for Women in 2022 - 32