The 25 Best Behind-Ear Tattoos for Men

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Plus, expert advice for before and after your tattoo appointment

Co-authored by Grant Lubbock and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: February 2, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Simple Tattoos
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• Small
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• Symbolic
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• Meaningful
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• Animal
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• Words
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• Appointment Prep
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• Aftercare
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• Behind-Ear Tattoo FAQs
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• Video

|Show more |Show less

Behind the ear is one of the trendiest places to get a tattoo because it'll be noticeable but still pretty hidden. If you’re looking for a masculine design to get tatted behind your ear, then look no further! Whether you want something simple or symbolic, we have a ton of suggestions for your next tattoo. We spoke with multiple tattoo artists for meaningful design ideas and aftercare advice for your new ink!

Best Behind-the-Ear Tattoos for Men

When you’re choosing a behind-ear tattoo, choose a small or simple design that has meaning, such as an arrow, anchor, sword, tree, or meaningful date. Other popular behind-ear tattoos include crosses, roses, or short vertical words. Work with your tattoo artist to determine the best layout, design, and placement.

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Section 1 of 9:

Simple Behind-Ear Tattoos for Men

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1. 1
   Arrow Arrows have a really minimalist design, so they’re perfect for a quick behind-ear tattoo. Arrows symbolize moving forward through tough times. For the best look, align the arrow vertically so it points up or down.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Grant Lubbock is a Tattoo Artist and the co-owner of Red Baron Ink in New York City with over 10 years of experience.

   Katherine D. Vargas is a Tattoo Artist based in New Jersey who specializes in black-and-gray realism tattoos.

   Burak Moreno is a Tattoo Artist with over 15 years of experience and is the co-owner of Fleur Noire Tattoo Parlour in Brooklyn.

   María Fernández González is a Tattoo Artist based in Hamburg, Germany who specializes in fine-line tattoos with soft chafing techniques.

   Michelle Myles is a Tattoo Artist with 20 years of experience who co-owns Daredevil Tattoo in New York City’s Lower East Side.
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   Star and moon You can either get simple outlines for a clean and elegant look, or fill them in with ink for a bold look. Crescent moons have the most iconic shape, and they can wrap around the contours of your ear for a perfect placement.
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   Music notes If you’re a musician or just a fan of music, a couple of notes or even the treble clef fit nicely behind your ear. Choose a single note if you want something quick and easy, or opt for a few different notes for a little more variety.
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   Diamond Diamonds are some of the toughest materials in the world, so a diamond tattoo represents your resilience and strength through life. Small, simple outlines showing the facets of the diamond look great without drawing too much attention to your ink.
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   Laurels Laurels are simple stems with leaves, but they have a really recognizable appearance. Laurels signify being victorious, so they’re a great reminder to always stay winning.
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Section 2 of 9:

Small Behind-Ear Tattoos for Guys

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1. 1
   Sun The sun symbolizes warmth, power, and energy. A simple outline of a sun is perfect if you want something discreet, or you can get more ornate by giving it a face or adding a pop of color.
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   Feather Feathers are what allow birds to fly, so they can be a representation of feeling free as a bird. Feathers look great when the quill points up so the rest is visible on the side of your neck.
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   Half mandala A mandala is a repeating decorative pattern that symbolizes balance and life. While you likely won’t have room for a full mandala, half a mandala perfectly fits the shape behind your ear.
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   Crown If you want to show that you’re powerful and a master of your own life, a crown tattoo is perfect for you. There are so many different crown designs, so find one that matches your aesthetic for your tattoo.
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   Dagger Daggers are a symbol of strength, and you can change a lot about the blade or handle to completely customize your design. Align the dagger vertically so it fits behind your ear the best.
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Section 3 of 9:

Symbolic Behind-Ear Tattoos for Men

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1. 1
   Anchor Tattoo artist María Fernández González says, “A meaningful tattoo often involves a play on symbolism and parallel representation rather than a direct, literal depiction.” Anchor tattoos represent strength, so they’re the perfect symbolic reminder for staying grounded during turbulent times.
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   Sword Swords are common symbolic tattoos that represent courage and facing your fears. Pick between fantasy swords, samurai swords, or even your favorite sword from a TV show or movie.
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   Compass A compass tattoo represents protection and finding guidance in your life. If you want a reminder to always follow your passions and keep moving in the right direction, then include a compass in your design. It could be a simple linework compass or a more intricate piece.
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   Tree silhouette Trees are known for standing tall no matter what happens around them. They also symbolize planting your roots and personal growth. Pick your favorite, like a mighty oak or pine, and have the roots reach down onto your neck.
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   Alchemical symbol Alchemy symbols represent the different elements, so they can have a variety of meanings depending on which one you choose. González notes that elements are popular because they “represent complex feelings or concepts.”
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Section 4 of 9:

Meaningful Behind-Ear Tattoos for Men

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1. 1
   Cross A cross represents your religious faith and devotion, so it’s great as a meaningful tattoo behind your ear. You can get a simple linework cross or opt for one with more ornate details.
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   Pawprint If you have a pet and want to get a tattoo that represents them, a pawprint is a simple way to keep a memento of them forever. You could even put your pet’s name inside or around the pawprint to make the tattoo extra special.
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   Angel wing Angel wings represent divine powers that watch over and protect you, and they fit nicely behind or over your ear. Have a single wing wrap around your ear, and consider adding a halo or rays of light around it.

   • Angel wings can also work well as a memorial tattoo for someone who passed away.
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   Rose with thorns A rose tattoo symbolizes love, but adding a stem with thorns shows that beauty sometimes comes with pain. If you want to show people that you have a passion for life despite difficulties, a rose is a great design for you.
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   Important date González mentions that dates are really popular tattoo ideas to symbolize and commemorate a memorable or important life event. You can either use standard numbers or write them out in Roman numerals to mix up the look of your tattoo.
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Section 5 of 9:

Animal Behind-Ear Tattoos for Men

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1. 1
   Sparrow A sparrow tattoo is one of the most popular traditional tattoo designs. They represent inner strength, good luck, and freedom to adventure. Whether you want the symbolic meaning or just love birds, sparrows are a great pick.
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   Spider A spider tattoo can represent growth, resilience, and even creativity all while having a slightly creepy look. Incorporate some of the spider’s webs into your design to help it fit behind your ear and look like a complete composition.
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   Dragon Dragon tattoos are common tattoo subjects in Eastern cultures, and they symbolize good fortune, power, and protection. Smaller dragon silhouettes are better if you’re looking for something simple, but you could also choose more intricate designs if you want the dragon’s body to flow onto your neck.
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   Bat If you want your behind-the-ear tattoo to look a little spooky, a flying bat adds a fun silhouette. Bats can represent mystery or even resilience through dark times. Put the bat near the top of your ear to make it look like it’s taking flight, or have it hanging upside-down right behind your ear.
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   Snake A snake tattoo is a good representation of growth and transformation because snakes shed their skin. Have the snake coil around the back of your ear for the perfect placement.
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Section 6 of 9:

Behind-Ear Word Tattoos for Men

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1. A short word or phrase fits perfectly behind the ear. González notes that a word tattoo can “represent a feeling or statement” and “symbolize that concept.” Here are some short and simple phrases that fit well behind your ear and hold a lot of deeper meaning:

   • Blessed
   • Peace
   • Loyalty
   • Patience
   • Sonder
   • Miracle
   • Gratitude
   • Fearless
   • Strength
   • God Is Good
   • Stay True
   • Make It Happen
   • A loved one’s name

Section 7 of 9:

Preparing for Your Tattoo Appointment

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1. 1
   Do your research to find an artist you like. Tattoo artist Michelle Myles says, “The most important thing is to really do your research and look at the artist’s work.” She recommends getting a referral from someone you know or checking their portfolio online. When you’re looking at their work, check if they have clean lines, solid colors, smooth shading, and a clean and reputable shop.

   • Tattoo artist Grant Lubbock agrees: “Make sure [your artist] has at least 15-20 consecutive pieces that show consistency in design, style, layout, and placement” to ensure you get the best tattoo possible.
   • Tattoo artist Katherine D. Vargas notes: “Don’t expect one artist to know how to do everything. Always do your research on the artist and what styles they’re proficient in before committing to that person.”
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   Come into a tattoo shop with ideas. González notes, “It’s very important to clarify what subject and style you want” when you’re chatting with your tattoo artist. She recommends not putting too many elements into the same design because the composition may start looking busy.

   • Tattoo artist Burak Moreno says, “Collect the designs you like as reference images, and give them to the artist so they can design something in a similar style.”
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   Be willing to work with your artist. Lubbock says if you’re “more willing as a client to work with the artist and let your artist guide you through the tattoo process, you will wind up with a better tattoo.” Listen to their suggestions because they know what placement, layout, and style works best.
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   Get a good night’s sleep before your tattoo. Myles suggests getting a lot of rest the night before you’re getting tattooed so you can feel relaxed. She also notes that eating a meal before your tattoo and avoiding alcohol before your appointment will help you be in good shape for your tattoo.
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   Be respectful to your artist while you’re getting tattooed. Lubbock notes that tattoo studios have a certain vibe that can be disrupted if you answer a call or move around a lot during your appointment. If you really need to take a call, he recommends asking to step out to answer it.

   • Lubbock also says eating during an appointment becomes a health risk, so take a break away from the tattoo station if you need to snack on something.
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Section 8 of 9:

Expert Aftercare Advice

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1. 1
   Wash your tattoo twice a day while it’s healing. Vargas notes that tattoos take about 2 weeks to heal completely, and during that time it may feel itchy or swollen. Lubbock recommends cleaning your tattoo in the morning and night with antibacterial soap to remove any bacteria and keep it clean.
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   Apply ointment to keep your tattoo moisturized. Lubbock recommends applying a tattoo ointment like Redemption or Aquaphor so it stays hydrated. Use a small amount of the ointment about 3 or 4 times per day, and especially after each time you wash your tattoo.
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   Protect your tattoo to prevent irritation. Moreno recommends leaving any bandage your artist places on your tattoo for about 3 days to cover your tattoo. After that, Myles says to be careful about clothes rubbing on your tattoo and causing irritation. She also recommends avoiding swimming and covering your tattoo when you’re out in the sun for at least the first 10 days after getting your tattoo.
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   Reach out to your artist if you suspect an infection. Myles notes that tattoo infections have a lot of redness and irritation. While your tattoo should be okay if you follow proper aftercare, Myles says, “Go and talk to the tattoo artist [for an infection] because they are more familiar with the healing process.” They can give you recommendations on the best next steps, and may encourage you to see a doctor if there’s a real concern.
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Section 9 of 9:

Behind-Ear Tattoo FAQs

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1. 1
   Do behind-the-ear tattoos hurt? Behind-ear tattoos are about a 7 or 8 out of 10 on the pain scale. These tattoos are more painful because the skin is thinner and more sensitive around your skull. Some people describe the pain as a dull ache, but everyone has a different pain tolerance.

   • Some people may also be annoyed by the tattoo machine running so close to their ear throughout the entire appointment.
   • If you’re still feeling pain the day after you get your tattoo, Vargas recommends using an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol to help with the aching and swelling.
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   How much do behind-ear tattoos cost? The cost depends on your artist’s rate, but they typically cost between $80-150 USD per hour. The price may go up depending on your artist’s popularity, the style and size of your tattoo, and if you’re getting it done in color.
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   Can you wash your hair after getting a behind-ear tattoo? You can wash your hair, but switch to a gentle shampoo or baby shampoo so you’re less likely to cause irritation. Make sure to rinse off all of the soap and suds in the shower, and gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel.
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   Are behind-the-ear tattoos easy to hide? Behind-ear tattoos are more visible, but you can hide them with longer hair or makeup. Just make sure your tattoo is completely healed before trying to cover it up, or else it might become irritated or infected.
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   Is behind the ear a good placement for a first tattoo? Behind-ear tattoos are more visible than other tattoos, so they may not be the best option if you want something more discreet. They’re also a little more painful than other tattoo placements, so you may want to get a tattoo somewhere else like your leg or inner arm for your first ink.
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