Curious about cool simple tattoos and need some ideas? Small, simple tattoos for men can be a great option if you are a professional who wants to avoid a big, obvious tat on your arm, forearm, back, shoulder or chest. Similarly, small tattoo designs make for great first-time experiences. Whatever your reason, starting small and choosing a simple tattoo idea is the best way to ease yourself into the tattoo world without regrets.

To help you along the journey of getting inked, we’ve accumulated an awesome collection of cool simple tattoo ideas for guys! Check out these small, easy men’s tattoos below for inspiration before getting inked!

Cool Simple Tattoo Ideas

While the pain of getting inked with artwork may be short-lived, the tat itself is obviously permanent. This means guys really need multiple awesome designs before going through with the whole tattoo process from inking to healing. And just because a tattoo is little or simplistic doesn’t mean it can’t have a big impact. Small tattoos can come with a lot of meaning, and simple artwork that is meaningful can make for a good first tat.

The complexity is that “cool” and “meaningful” are very subjective, so while our gallery below can provide inspiration, we highly recommend you build on whatever artwork you like to make it unique to you.

If you speak or know a foreign language, sometimes one character can encapsulate the entire message you are trying to convey.

Looking for a tattoo for two? Consider getting a tattoo idea that can be split in two such as the skull and crown tattoo shown below. Generally, these tattoos symbolize the desire for power.

Perhaps you want to commemorate a loved veteran. A tattoo is the perfect way to show your love and adoration for that individual. Below, we have a paratrooper tattoo on the forearm, a highly visible spot.