When it comes to tattoos, you have an entire body of placements to choose from. While some areas offer the benefit of easy concealment, others spotlight the new ink for all to see– such as the wrist. While it may be small, it’s an open space with fairly straight lines, making it an easy spot to get almost any design. Outer wrist tattoos are ideal for expressing yourself to the outside world, while inner wrist tattoos feel slightly more intimate, like a special message you keep just for yourself.
Whether you’re looking into getting a small wrist tattoo of an important quote or one that just makes you smile when you see it, here are 32 beautiful, small tattoos to inspire you.
Words and Symbols
Zoe Kravitz’s many hand and wrist tattoos offer different interpretations, but we love the combination of a simple cursive word (in this case, “wolf”) with a series of small stars in the shape of a cross.
Concentric Triangles
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These bold, black, open triangles fade into an arrow. The simple tattoo can be turned upwards or on to its side depending on what direction you want the lines to face.
Hand-Poked Adornments
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These hand-poked tattoos offer something for each wrist—a flourish of simple, elegant, black ink in various shapes, including dots.
BFF Butterfly
Butterflies make great wrist tattoos, as they can be shrunk to any size. However, if you go for a smaller butterfly on the wrist, it’s a good idea to choose an artist who specializes in thin lines so you can pack a lot of detail into the design.
Dainty Maximalism
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Small tattoos are perfect for mixing and matching to create a larger design that isn’t overpowering. We love how this constellation of nature iconography flows beautifully from the top of the wrist to the back of the hand.
Open Wings
Tattoo designs that can be boiled down to a few simple elements make great wrist tattoos, as they stand out but remain minimalistic. This stunning tattoo makes the perfect small, yet mighty statement.
Single Letter
If there’s someone in your life you want to memorialize, or if you have a favorite letter of the alphabet, getting a small initial on your wrist is a simple but impactful design. Keep the font simple and crisp for a clean look.
Floral Wristband
While armbands seem to be more popular than wristbands, tattoos look great wrapped around the wrist. It’s like a beautiful, permanent bracelet!
Olive Branch
An olive branch on the outside of the wrist creates a beautiful line that mimics the area between the wrist and the hand. Placing it here also emphasizes its connection to peace and “extending an olive branch.”
Positive Affirmations
While many people get words on their inner wrist for a personal reason, placing the text facing outward makes it feel like it’s more for others. This easy-to-read message reminds anyone who reads it that they matter.