Top 75 Best Forearm Tattoos for Men

Forearm tattoos are a premier location for men’s body art ideas and execution.

Both the outer and inner forearms are reserved for the best, brightest, and symbolically significant designs tattoo collectors look to get inked, while they also offer easy opportunities to showcase or cover up the work as the opportunity arises.

With that in mind, here is an excellent guide to the top 90+ best forearm tattoos featuring unique levels of creativity and inspiration, from traditional arrows to the out of the ordinary and abstract.

1. Forearm Tattoos for Men

What could be more expressive than to show off a badass forearm tattoo for all the world to see?

Whether the eternal brand on your arm is a ferocious lion, a beautiful woman, or your personal ride or die quote, no one will hesitate to ascribe awesome attributes to a well crafted design.

2. Armband Style Cool Forearm Tattoos

The armband tattoo style fell out of the spotlight in the past, yet has been making a comeback on the arms of individuals across the globe.

Ages ago, traditional tribal armband tattoos weren’t the only way to distinguish a man’s role or rank, they were associated with a variety of different meanings.

Traditions aside, armbands can be found on the arms of people from all walks of life including the military (a brassard), press, sporting teams, or by those in mourning.

Concentric black ink circles wrapping around the wrist or forearm are also popular, making simple yet eye catching geometric tattoo art.

 

3. Forearm Tattoo Sleeve Ideas

Let’s face it, the forearm is a prime place for your ink being noticed, whether it’s a tasteful small tattoo sunk into the inner forearm, matching tattoo, or outlandish piece of tattoo art stretching over the entirety of the limb.

Starting at the elbow and stopping at the wrist, forearm sleeve tattoo designs are far from conservative.

While forearm sleeve body art is classified differently to say, hand or neck tattoos, they are still quite hard to miss.

4. Inner Forearm Tattoos

Inner forearm tattoo is an industry staple for men and women who want visually expansive and symbolically meaningful body art.

The region can be fluidly integrated with previously existing schemes to cover more of the body, but it is also a great starting ground for your tattoo artist to draw up personalized tiny tattoo logos, or even couple tattoo designs.

This area offers the wearer monumental opportunity for deeper context and personal meaning. Language, name, and script tattoo design is perfect for this spot, while the same can be said of abstract tattoo icons, black ink tribal body art, geometric shapes and animal motifs (such as a pet dog tattoo).

5. Outer Forearm Tattoos

Outer forearm tattoos are a premier location for ink execution.

Tattoo pain on the outer forearm is quite mild, especially in comparison to the inner arm (where’ll find two nerves running down the limb) so an inexperienced enthusiast can get the hang of the tattoo needle while still getting some cool forearm tattoos in a range of sizes and styles.

Tattooed outer forearms are often reserved for the best, brightest, and most symbolically significant designs tattoo collectors look to get inked, and is an awesome spot for straight line geometric tattoo as you can work with long, straight lines and a variety of shapes.

6. Wolf Forearm Tattoos

A wolf forearm tattoo is a great way to display strength, familial loyalty and devotion.

The wolf is a pack animal. For every lone wolf on the prowl, there are ten more who work within their family unit.

Wolves are fierce, naturally loyal creatures that hunt together and rely on each other for survival. They have a clearly defined family structure with clearly articulated roles and responsibilities.

Some people get their family as an outer forearm tattoo, while single wolf paw tattoo designs or protective images of the snarling, angry wolf are more likely to be etched on the inner arm.

7. Dragon Forearm Tattoos

A Dragon tattoo idea is as individual and unique as the wearer who bears it.

Dragon arm tattoo inspires aspects of physical and mental empowerment, such as self-contemplation, intuitiveness and mastery of one’s physical and emotional environment.

They offer a declaration and reminder that one must constantly aspire to achieve supreme wisdom and maturity. An artistically stunning forearm tattoo idea can transform the dragon into a statement masterpiece.

8. Forearm Tree Tattoos

There are many reasons to opt for a tree tattoo, ranging from cultural values to a preferred aesthetic.

A symbol of ancient wisdom, nurturing, and the branches that connect us all, the tree has long been revered as nature’s most sacred living monument, and a popular motif for both subject and tattoo artist alike.

This melding of tattoo needle and ideas has resulted in a range of stunning forearm tattoo design options to explore, whether it’s a simple forearm tattoo, matching tattoo, or much larger design wrapping around the lower part of your arm.

9. American Flag Forearm Tattoos

10. Simple Forearm Tattoo

Having a forearm tattoo has great social and personal significance.

It is in a place to be seen. It is in a place to make a statement. And it is in a place that speaks to others about your confidence in yourself, even if it’s a well deployed simple forearm tattoo.

In the past, sailors were the only people in the American society to use forearm tattoos. Initially it started as a record log of sorts, a first tattoo holding a sailor’s identity in case of drowning.

But it quickly took on a different meaning to become a history of what the sailor had seen, where they visited, and displayed their skill, bravery, and experience.

Totems such as anchor tattoo designs, compass tattoo, rope or flower tattoo ideas became symbolic and layered with meaning.

11. Forearm Lion Tattoo

The lion tattoo has always been a symbol of power, or associate the King of the Jungle with royalty.

Yes, there are many people who see the lion tattoo and immediately connect it to the astrological Leo sign, but there are plenty of people who see the lion as something completely different.

The forearm is often where the lion is placed. It is usually on the dominant side of the body, which is a way of matching the lion with your strength.

There are some people who see the lion as a symbol of royalty, and a couple tattoo will often pair the lion and lioness together for each pair as a symbol of ‘king’ and ‘queen.’

12. Geometric Forearm Tattoos

Geometric shapes are both sophisticated and sexy, and speak of a classier penchant for the world of ink art.

And should anyone question the history of sacred tattoo geometry, just enlighten them to the fact that the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Indians honored the geometric world of shapes and patterns in everything from their architecture to mathematical equations.

From hexagonal cells to prismatic flowers, geometric forearm tattoos were made for finer geometric forms. A traditional Japanese wave can be transformed through geometric dimensional circles, while a succession of arrows raining down the forearm in darkly descending hues creates a beautiful contradiction of both the simple and complex.

13. Jesus Forearm Tattoos

Forearm pieces command respect because each sends the right message that make your goals the foremost importance of your life.

Jesus forearm tattoos are a bonafide way to make body art your arm. Over the course of 33 years, Jesus’ miracles and maxims provide unparalleled ideas for body ink. Embed your forearms with the coolest cross or crown in town.

Answer to a higher power with the universal fish symbol, proclaiming to all that you are a fisher of men. Incorporate Jesus prayer hands, or use significant scenes such as the Last Supper.

You can even add 3-dimensional elements to supercharge your Christian themed body art design.

14. Forearm Quote Tattoos

The forearm is an ideal place for a tattoo. It provides the best visibility/coverability and provides ample space for a meaningful ‘tat.’ This is the reason why many people choose the forearm for an awesome quote.

People are attracted to quote tattoos because there are naturally thoughtful phrases that highlight a persons interests, inner thoughts, and world view.

Another thing that needs to be considered is the writing style the quote will be written in. Cursive, for example, gives the quote an unmistakable elegant touch that no other type of writing style can offer. The Gothic writing style gives the quote a baroque feeling that can be associated with church or even graveyards.

15. Polynesian Forearm Tattoos

A Polynesian tribal forearm tattoo is often connected with rites of passage or a significant transformation.

Modern designs feature all kinds of unique styles and can often be applied to non-members of the cultural society.  

The designs are made to accent or emphasize the shapes of the arm while also telling the story of the owner. There are also different themes the wearer can choose, from specific tribal gods all the way to personal lucky charms and achievements. 

16. Tribal Forearm Tattoo

Tribal tattoos are inspired by real warriors. Ancient warrior tattoos were designed to distinguish one tribe from another and to ward off enemies.

Tattoos were placed on the outside of the arm for quick identification, but since things have changed greatly, these tattoos can be worn anywhere on the body.

The muscularity of the forearm makes it an attractive palette for tribal designs, especially since great strength is found in the forearms. Besides that, forearm muscles are actually the most visible muscle group in the body. A tattoo placed here is sure to be noticed.

17. Unique Forearm Tattoos

A good middle ground between bold hand tattoos and upper arm tattoos that are too often tucked away is the forearm tattoo. It can be hidden in long sleeves but can come out to breathe more often without having to go completely sleeveless.

When it comes to ideas, of which there are many. The most popular design ideas that can remain unique include flower tattoo, owl tattoo ideas, or even a skull. 

Even the most tried and true tattoo concept found on the wall at your local tattoo shop can be made into a unique piece of body art.