the arm is a canvas for creativity. From small to large, from black to color, these arm tattoos for women combine uniqueness and beauty.
The arm is probably the most popular location for tattoos. and it has every reason to be. first, it is elongated. you can tattoo your upper arm, forearm or the entire sleeve if you want. and you can play with the exposure with tattoos on the arms. if you want something more visible, the upper arm is perfect. but you can also get a discreet tattoo on your upper arm or biceps.
then if you are looking for arm tattoos for women, you are in the right place. In this post, you will find stylish, creative, small or large tattoos on different parts of the arm. scroll and you will find your next ink.
Disclaimer: This collection of arm tattoos for women is for inspiration only. please do not copy the artwork. If you love these tattoos, follow the artists and show them some support.
arm tattoos for women with meaning
impressive forearm tattoos for women
The forearm is a high exposure placement. This is why you will want a forearm tattoo to be not only personal but impressive as well. The following forearm tattoos for women tick all the boxes. keep scrolling to find out more.
the dragon god of water on the forearm
@bium_tattoo
in asian countries like japan, dragons are not terrifying beasts but gods. they are often associated with rivers and the ocean. This dragon tattoo on the arm represents a dragon intertwined with a stream of water, highlighting its divinity and power. and the elongated, curvy body shape fits the forearm perfectly.
little dragon tattoo
@yura_tatt
abstract phoenix arm tattoo
@ciziktattoo
phoenix is a mythical creature with wings like an eagle and tails like a peacock. it is believed to be reborn from ashes, thus becoming a symbol of reincarnation and transformation.
Because of the feathers, phoenix tattoos are often intricate and labor intensive. but the tattoo artist simplifies the images with clean outlines. and it’s perfect for a smaller area like the forearm.
realistic snake that wraps around the arm
@choseung.tat
snakes are dangerous, poisonous and mysterious. that is why snake tattoos can be a statement of identity of a badass woman. In this tattoo, the snake wraps around the forearm to the wrist, as if it were the owner’s secret weapon, giving the tattoo an even stronger witchy vibe.
Yin and yang koi fish tattoo on the forearm
@bium_tattoo
The koi fish is a symbol of wealth, success and perseverance. but this tattoo has a deeper meaning. the tattooist creates a yin yang pattern by painting one of the fish darker and the other lighter. it is a reminder to always value and maintain a good balance in life.
female wolf tattoo
@okeanos.tattoo
Despite their fierce appearance, wolves symbolize loyalty, friendship and protection because they live in packs. they hunt together and protect each other. that is why the animal is identifiable with both men and women.
This realistic wolf tattoo on the arm captures the softer, calmer side of the beast. Furthermore, the tattooist enhances the femininity of her by adding flowers as decoration and making it a perfect arm tattoo for women.
leopard floral tattoo
@kyla_rose_tattoo
Leopards are agile, independent, and beautiful. they are creatures of nature and cannot be tamed. these characteristics make them the spirit animal of some strong and self-confident women.
This leopard tattoo on the forearm captures every little detail of the animal. and the flowers and butterflies around her soften the fierceness and complement her beauty.
matching cat tattoos
@eden_tattoo
The forearm is a placement you’ll see every day. With such high exposure, it’s best for tattoos that represent something or someone you love.
These matching cat tattoos are a good example. By getting a small cat tattooed on their forearm, wearers are constantly reminded of how cute these little fluffy ones are and how lucky they are to have cats in life.
Also read: 91 matching couple tattoos with meaning
bird tattoo on the branch of the forearm
@non_lee_ink
We would expect bird tattoos on the forearm to be smaller. But this is different. The nonlee tattoo artist maximizes the coverage of the tattoo while at the same time painting every detail to perfection. In our interview with Nonlee, she also talked about how colors bring a tattoo to life. and this is a good example.
minimalist butterfly forearm tattoo
@tattooist_sunmoon
Butterfly tattoos aren’t always intricate and vibrant. they can be as simple as these line art tattoos. I also love how the tattoos didn’t try to cover up the scar. instead, it complements it, making the scar look less scary. and aligns with the symbolism of the butterfly: freedom. when you accept your imperfections and your past, you are set free.
meaningful tattoo of self love on the forearm
@davide_dot
Self love is the first and longest love you have. This simple black arm tattoo reminds you that your mind and body are beautiful. and you have every reason to love yourself. Check out more self-love tattoos for inspiration.
money tattoo on the forearm
@barbara_corbucci_tattooer
impression sunrise is one of claude monet’s iconic works of art. It represented a sunrise scene in the port of Le Havre. this artistic tattoo cuts out part of the painting in a long strip and makes it fit into the area.
small cloud on the forearm
@keenetattoo
Tattoos are not just statements. sometimes it can represent how we feel in a certain period. This sad little tattoo can belong to someone who is going through hardships or struggles. but embracing the emotion also helps to heal.
flower tattoo on the forearm
@yershova_anna.tatt
Flower tattoos are naturally beautiful. but when you stretch it out to cover the entire forearm, it magnifies its visual impact just like this one.
black metallic star and rose arm tattoo
@jku_tattoo
Something I love about this rose tattoo on the forearm is the contrast. the rose is painted in detail. and the gloss makes it look natural and real. but the star at the top is represented by a small symbol. the combination of real and unreal makes this tattoo unique.
name tattoo on forearm
@tattooist_ssdam
minimalist wing forearm tattoo
@bt.tatto
wing tattoos may not be the most innovative idea. but for some people, they remind them of someone they love who has passed away. And one way to make a clichéd tattoo timeless is to keep it simple, like this small forearm tattoo. it is minimalist, elegant and, at the same time, significant.
stars on the forearm
@amylowdontattoo
impressive rose tattoo on the forearm
@vandal_tattoo
Roses symbolize passion, love and romance. This rose tattoo on the forearm is special because of the precise lighting and shading.
Also, because it is a cover-up tattoo, the artist uses burgundy and dark red colors for optimal coverage. Surprisingly, the colors add a velvety texture to the flower, making the tattoo more recognizable.
vine tattoo that wraps around the elbow
@inkedbybre
sunflower tattoo on the forearm
@cavecreektattoo
elegant sleeve tattoos for women
Sleeve tattoos are those that cover much or most of the arm. tattooing such a large space can take hours or even days. this is why some sleeve tattoos are the collective efforts of different tattoo artists.
While men’s sleeve tattoos are usually large and patterned, girls’ tattoos can be elegant and sophisticated in smaller sizes. the following sleeve tattoos for women can give you an idea.
black phoenix sleeve tattoo
@angel_inkylicious
Unlike the phoenix forearm tattoo mentioned above, you can get a phoenix tattooed in detail with more space, such as a full sleeve. this beautiful black phoenix extends vertically across the arm. and the blank space on the shoulder leaves room for new ideas.
dragon sleeve tattoo
@kottattoo.studio
The dragon on the half sleeve tattoo is typically oriental. the hair, scales and structures of the head are perfectly captured. the body and hair are all flying in the air. adds liveliness to a static design as if the dragon is actually moving up the arm.
lioness sleeve tattoo
@jackemichaelsen.tattoo
A lion sleeve tattoo can look somewhat masculine. well, think again.
This tattoo of a mother lion and her two cubs is something different. the flowers and leaves symbolize motherly love and the strength that keep the little ones safe. A beautiful and meaningful mother tattoo like this will belong to a great Leo mom or a strong independent mom.
colorful mask sleeve tattoo
@katia.zuela
stunning floral sleeve
@abktattoo
Flowers, leaves and vines are three elements to consider if you want a feminine tattoo on the sleeve. you can structure, multiply or move the pieces to fill the space.
This black sleeve tattoo, for example, begins and ends with tiny black leaves. the main flower is right in the middle, creating vertical symmetry and a sense of balance.
bracelet with gemstone pendant
@solar_tattoo
pink sleeve tattoo
@siren_ink
cloud and butterfly sleeve tattoo
@nooytattoo
female tattoos on the upper arm
The upper arm is an elongated vertical area, much like the forearm. But compared to the forearm, the upper arm is usually wider, giving tattoo artists more room to get creative.
The following feminine upper arm tattoos are for you if you want a combination of creativity, uniqueness and visual impact.
black and white bird sleeve tattoo
@lucy.moana
bird and moon sleeve tattoo
@arese_tattoo
small double dragon tattoo on the upper arm
@kasper.august
super cool phoenix arm tattoo
@hanu.classic
wolf upper arm tattoo
@pauline.tattoo
What makes this tattoo unique is the overlapping images of a girl and a howling wolf. indicates that the two could actually be one person: a girl who has a wild wolf living inside her body.
This strength tattoo will remind you to always keep your inner fire burning and never lose your passion.
blue wolf biceps tattoo
@tatuador.inno
snake and sword tattoo on the back of the arm
@choseung.tat
flower and elephant tattoo on the arm
@nancimtattoo
whimsical elephant arm tattoo for women
@miki_tatuuje
Elephants are a symbol of family, protection and loyalty. but this black and gray tattoo captures the playful side of the animal.
The elephant is standing on its hind legs as it tries to grab the moon with its nose. it can also be the visual interpretation of the quote, “shoot for the moon. even if you fail, you will land among the stars.”
super cute elephant above the elbow
@krzywe_kropki
tropical elephant arm tattoo
@jackemichaelsen.tattoo
tiger tattoo on the upper arm
@choseung.tat
super cute cat tattoo on upper arm
@vandal_tattoo
astronaut cat and star tattoo on the arm
@miki_tatuuje
goldfish tattoo on upper arm
@eunyutattoo
If you want a vivid little tattoo on your upper arm, a goldfish tattoo like this might be for you.
Just like mermaid tattoos, the swimming motion makes the tattoo feel alive. Tattoo artist Eunyu has created a collection of elegant, flowing and beautiful aquatic animal tattoos. Check out our interview with Eunyu to learn more about her work.
wing tattoo on upper arm
@9room_tattoo
wings are not always in pairs. This unique vibrantly colored wing tattoo highlights the wearer’s individual characteristics.
matching wings tattoo on the elbow
@alunar.ink
Because the skin around the elbow is thin, it is usually more painful to get a tattoo in the area. that is why simple matching wing tattoos can be a good idea. there are no complicated details or shading. instead, the entire wing consists of a single line, which makes the tattoo simple and classic.
abstract butterfly line tattoo
@pauline.tattoo
witch tattoo on upper arm for women
@miki_tatuuje
Snakes are dangerous creatures. this is why they are often seen in witch tattoos like this one. As deadly as this snake can be, it is completely controlled by the witch, indicating just how much power it could have.
the silence of the lamb
@soosoo.tattoo
I like the work of South Korean tattoo artist soosoo because she always finds a way to make the classic beautiful on the skin. the movie tattoo is a good example. By adapting the movie poster to the back of her arm, the tattoo is perfect for die-hard fans of hers.
watercolor rose tattoo on upper arm
@vandal_tattoo
beautiful bouquet
@palette.tt
blue lotus on the back of the arm
@charming_tattoo
little sunflower on the biceps
@jackemichaelsen.tattoo
The great thing about upper arm tattoos is the difference in exposure depending on the season. As people wear more short sleeves in the summer, upper arm tattoos are showing more. What can better represent the passion of summer than a sunflower?
smiley face tattoo on upper arm
@zoonmo
tattoo on Gustav Klimt’s arm
@gemma_tattoo
gustav klimt is an iconic painter. The painting of him the kiss mesmerizes the world with the golden glitters and luxurious color palette. if you love his style, don’t forget to see more klimt tattoos.
bicep tattoo name
@gracedoestattoos
name tattoo on the back of the arm
@xinattt
gemstone cross tattoo on arm
@solar_tattoo
a cross is a symbol of one’s religion. It consists of two lines that intersect each other. and you can add patterns or embellishments to make a cross tattoo special, just like this sparkly gemstone cross tattoo on the upper arm.
Ornamental cross tattoo on the back of the arm
@sukza__art
vintage crossed biceps tattoo
@choseung.tat
cross with flower and quote
@solar_tattoo
small cross tattoo on the inside of the arm
@tattooist_eheon
simple cross tattoo on outer arm
@handitrip
If you pay close attention, you’ll notice the little “s” that the tattoo artist hides at the intersection of the cross. What a more creative and discreet way to combine the initial with religion.
bracelet tattoos and bracelets for women
Armband or bracelet tattoos refer to those that wrap around the arm or wrist. while armband tattoos for men are usually black and tribal, those for girls are more airy and elegant. scroll on to discover some of the best armband tattoos for women.
black and gray flower bracelet
@amelie.tattoo
floral bracelet tattoo on the forearm
@cathy.artwork
botanical bracelet tattoo
@handitrip
vine tattoo on upper arm
@kaylajordyntattoos
Which of these arm tattoos for women is your favorite?
Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!
