Tattoo Price Calculator
A tattoo price calculator estimates what a tattoo will cost by working the way studios quote: the artist’s hourly rate multiplied by the hours a piece of that size, detail, colour and placement realistically takes, floored by the shop minimum, with an optional 20% tip. It gives an honest low-to-high range instead of a fake precise number — a small piece usually lands around $150–$400 and a half sleeve $1,500–$3,500 — and runs entirely in your browser.
Roughly matches the studio’s advertised hourly rate.
Leave blank to use the artist level above.
Most studios charge a minimum — often $100–$150.
$125.00–$250.00
- Typical quoteat $125.00/hour
- $190.00
- Tip (20%)
- $40.00
- Budget incl. tip
- $150.00–$300.00
- Small size1–2 h baseline
- Moderate detailno change time
What shapes this estimate
Data last verified 30 September 2026.
How it works
- 01
Set the artist’s hourly rate
Pick an experience level or type your own rate. Studios price primarily on chair time, so this single number drives everything else.
- 02
Describe the piece
Size band gives a starting hour range; detail, colour, placement and cover-up work each scale that time up or down — the same multipliers artists use when quoting.
- 03
Budget the honest range
You get a low-to-high price range, a typical mid-point, the shop minimum applied, and an optional 20% tip — because “it depends” is the truth, and a range beats a fake precise number.
Estimate only. Tattooing has no published price list; the tiers and multipliers here reflect commonly reported 2025–2026 studio ranges. Real quotes depend on the artist, the design, your studio’s minimum and deposit policy, and session length — always confirm the price at consultation before booking.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tattoo cost?
Tattoos are priced mainly on time. In 2026 most established artists charge roughly $150–$250 an hour, resident artists around $100–$150, and in-demand or guest-slot artists $250–$400+. A small piece (5–10 cm) typically lands at $150–$400, a medium forearm piece at $350–$900, and a half sleeve at $1,500–$3,500 across two or more sessions. Nearly all studios also enforce a shop minimum, commonly $100–$150, no matter how small the tattoo.
Why do tattoo shops have a minimum charge?
Every session costs the studio the same fixed overhead — setup, sterilisation, ink caps, needles, and an artist’s blocked-out hours — whether the tattoo takes twenty minutes or two hours. The minimum (often $100–$150) covers that. This is why a tiny tattoo costs far more per minute than a large one.
How many hours does a tattoo take?
Roughly: under an hour for tiny minimal work, 1–2 hours for small pieces, 2–4 for medium, 3.5–6 for large, and 6+ for sleeves and back pieces, which are split across sessions. Fine linework can be quick but demands precision; realism and dense dotwork can triple the time of an outline of the same size. Colour adds about 15%, ribs, hands and necks add time for breaks and skin texture, and cover-ups add roughly 30%.
Should I tip my tattoo artist, and how much?
Yes — tattooing is a service industry and 20% is the widely expected courtesy, just as in hairdressing, calculated on the session price (not the deposit). For multi-session work most clients tip per session. Artists who own the shop and set their own rates traditionally do not need to be tipped, though it is still welcome.
What is a deposit for, and is it refundable?
Most studios take a deposit (often $50–$150 or half the shop minimum) to book you, which comes off your final price and is normally non-refundable if you cancel inside their notice window — the fee protects the artist’s lost booking. Extra time on the day, walk-ins versus appointments, and design changes can all move the final figure.
Why is the estimate a range instead of one price?
Because the honest answer to “what will my tattoo cost” is “it depends”, and no calculator can see your design. This tool works the same way artists quote: base hours for the size, scaled by detail, colour, placement and cover-up work, then priced at the hourly rate — you can tune every assumption until it matches the consultation quote.
Does this tool send my numbers anywhere?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser. Your design details and budget never leave your device — there is no account, no upload and no server call.