How Much Does
a Tattoo Cost?
The US shops listed below publish starting minimums of $80-$150 and hourly rates from $150 to $280. Your size, design and artist determine the final quote.
About 1-2 hours of tattooing
Estimate, not a quote. Your artist sets the final price.
At $200 an hour with a $100 minimum. Set your artist’s rate in the full calculator.
Tattoo prices depend on size, detail, color, placement and the artist's hourly rate. Shops usually charge a minimum for small pieces, then bill larger work by the hour. The ranges on this page are planning estimates from public shop rates, not quotes. Your artist sets the final price after a consultation.
Tattoo Prices
by Size
| Size | Hours* | Estimate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny, under 2 in | 0.5-1 | $100-$200 |
| Small, 2-4 in | 1-2 | $200-$400 |
| Medium, 4-6 in | 2-4 | $400-$800 |
| Large, 6-10 in | 4-8 | $800-$1,600 |
| Half sleeve | 10-20 | $2,000-$4,000 |
| Full sleeve | 20-40 | $4,000-$8,000 |
*Hours and style multipliers are planning assumptions, not measured averages. Traditional style; $200/hour and a $100 minimum. Prices use the same formula as the calculator: round hours × rate to the nearest $10, then apply the minimum. Sessions, tax and tips may add costs.
Default rates are the separate medians of the low and high rates from the five shops with bounded hourly prices below; both are $200. The $100 minimum is the median of six published general minimums. Sources checked 2026-10-16. View sources and exclusions.
What Changes
the Price?
Size and detail
A tiny outline and a shaded portrait need different amounts of work. More detail can mean more sessions, even at the same size.
Style and color
Dense color, realism and repeated shading may take longer. The style factors in this calculator are assumptions; ask your artist for an estimate.
Artist and placement
Artist rates vary. Placement, skin, setup and session minimums can change how much work fits into a booked session.
By the Hour
or One Price?
Some studios quote small, predictable designs as one price. Larger or detailed projects may be billed by the hour or session. Ask what counts as billable time, whether the deposit comes off the total, and whether the minimum applies to every session.
Get a More
Accurate Quote
Bring your artist a clear idea, approximate size and placement. A design reference can help explain the direction; your artist decides what works on skin and how long it will take.
Generate a design referencePublic Shop
Rates
Eight individual US studios, not a representative national survey. Published examples can change; confirm with your chosen artist.
- Lunatic Tattoo: Frequently Asked Questions
Vancouver, WA, USA. Artists charge $150-$200 per hour of active tattooing, with a $100 shop minimum.
Accessed 2026-10-16. - Well Made: Your Questions, Answered
San Diego, CA, USA. Typical hourly pricing is $200-$250 with a $150 shop minimum; smaller tattoos may have a flat price.
Accessed 2026-10-16. - Artifacts Tattoo Gallery: FAQs
Huntsville, AL, USA. The minimum for small tattoos is $100; larger, more detailed tattoos are $200 per hour. Finger tattoos have a separate $200 minimum.
Accessed 2026-10-16. - Tattoos by Spade: How Long Does a Sleeve Tattoo Take?
Waikiki, HI, USA. Half sleeves are described as 8-15 hours and full sleeves as 20-40+ hours. This supports the scale of the full-sleeve estimate, not a guaranteed maximum.
Accessed 2026-10-16. - Victory Tattoo NYC: Frequently Asked Questions
New York, NY, USA. Listed artist rates are $200, $250 and $280 per hour. The general minimum is $150; specified placements have a $180 minimum.
Accessed 2026-10-16. - Snake Eyes Tattoo: FAQ
Austin, TX, USA. Small tattoos start at a $100 minimum; artists charge $200 per hour for larger tattoos.
Accessed 2026-10-16. - Logan Square Tattoo: Booking Policy
Chicago, IL, USA. The studio publishes a minimum hourly rate of $200. No upper hourly rate is stated, so this source is excluded from the bounded-rate median.
Accessed 2026-10-16. - Austin Tattoo Company: FAQ
Austin, TX, USA. The shop minimum is $80 for areas such as arms and legs. Size, placement and detail affect the quote; no hourly rate is published here.
Accessed 2026-10-16.
Questions
How much does a small tattoo cost?
Start with your artist’s minimum and estimated time. In this model, a 2-4 inch traditional piece takes an assumed 1-2 hours. At $100-$200/hour and a $100 minimum, that is $100-$400. At the guide’s $200/hour median, it is $200-$400.
Why does a tiny tattoo still have a minimum price?
The appointment includes preparation, equipment and the artist’s time. A short tattoo can still be charged at the studio minimum.
How much is a full sleeve?
Our model assumes 20-40 hours before the style adjustment. Actual work can exceed 40 hours. Discuss the number of sessions and the full budget directly with your artist.
Is this calculator a quote?
No. It is a planning estimate. For your own hourly rate and minimum, use the full tattoo cost calculator. Only your artist can quote the final project.
Design reference to discuss with your artist — not a final tattoo or healed result.