Lettering tattoo
A style in depth: the rules that define it, how durable it is and how to plan one.
A lettering tattoo is words, a name or a short phrase rendered in a chosen typeface. Because legibility is the whole point, font choice matters more than for any pictorial style: line weight and letter spacing determine whether it can still be read after healing.
Size guide
Capital height 6 mm minimum, 12–15 mm comfortable for script on a forearm. Wrist: 8–10 mm. Ribs: 10–15 mm vertical.
Which lettering fonts age best?
Bold fonts with thick strokes and high contrast between thick and thin. Chunky serifs, geometric sans serifs and thick brush scripts hold up best. Hairline scripts and very high-contrast modern serifs look the freshest on day one and blur fastest, because the thinnest stroke in the font becomes grey within two years.
- Ages well: bold serif, geometric sans, thick script
- Ages poorly: hairline script, thin modern serif
- Rule: thinnest stroke stays above 0.6 mm
How should lettering be arranged on the body?
Follow the limb and follow the words. Vertical script runs naturally down the ribs, forearm and calf, while horizontal text works across the forearm and chest where the body is wide enough. Stacked words with a symbol between them is the most forgiving layout, because it breaks a long phrase into shorter readable units.
Frequently asked questions
Lettering tattoo designs to browse
These motifs commonly appear in this style. Open one for its meaning and size guide.
Preview these placements
Try it on your own photo
Upload a photo, place a design, then adjust size, angle and opacity. Free, no signup, no watermark, and your photo never leaves your device.
Open the preview toolMore ideas and styles
Your photos are processed in your browser and never uploaded unless you request an AI render.
Or try a template
AI tattoo designer
Describe your idea in one sentence and AI draws 2 original designs you can try on right away.
Log in and verify your email to try it free once.
Put your cat, dog or partner on your skin
Click an example to try it on the body, or turn your own photo into tattoo line art.
Use your own photo
Converted in your browser. Works best with a centred subject and plain background.
Sample designs
