Best Friend Tattoos: The Complete Guide (Before You Make It Permanent)
- Leonardo Pereira
- 19 hours ago
- 10 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
So you and your best friend want matching tattoos. That's actually pretty cool - when done right, friendship tattoos can be a beautiful way to celebrate a bond that matters.
But here's what most articles won't tell you: a lot of best friend tattoos end badly. Friendships change, people drift apart, and that matching infinity symbol suddenly feels awkward.
I'm not here to talk you out of it. I'm here to help you do it right - so you'll still love your tattoo even if (worst case scenario) the friendship doesn't last forever.
Let's talk about what actually works.
Table of Contents
The Truth About Best Friend Tattoos (That Nobody Mentions)
Before we get into designs, let's be real about something: friendship tattoos are riskier than most people think.
Here's why:
Friendships evolve. The person you're inseparable from at 20 might be someone you barely talk to at 30. It's not anyone's fault - people grow, move, change priorities. Life happens.
There's no legal commitment. Unlike marriage (which also ends sometimes), friendships have no formal structure. There's no ceremony, no paperwork, no societal pressure to work through rough patches.
The stakes feel lower. Which means people are more casual about getting matching tattoos with friends than with partners. But the permanence is exactly the same.
That said - some friendship tattoos absolutely work. The difference is in HOW you approach it.
When Best Friend Tattoos Actually Make Sense
Not all friendship tattoos are created equal. Here's when it actually works:
You've been close for 10+ years. If you've maintained a strong friendship through different life stages (high school to college, college to career, single to married), that's a good sign the bond is solid.
You've been through real shit together. Not just fun times - actual hardship. Loss, illness, major life challenges. Friendships that survive tough times are different.
The tattoo represents a shared experience, not just the friendship. This is key. Instead of "best friends forever," get something that represents what you've been through together or what you both value.
You're both 100% sure, not just going along with it. If one person is hesitant, don't do it. Both people need to be genuinely excited.
You've thought about it for at least 6 months. Impulse friendship tattoos are the ones people regret most. If you still want it after 6 months, it's probably a good idea.
Designs That Actually Age Well
Forget those generic "BFF" tattoos. Here's what works long-term:
Symbols That Mean Something to Both of You
Instead of obvious friendship symbols, choose something that represents your actual relationship.
Examples that work:
Matching coffee cups (if you've had weekly coffee dates for years)
Book symbols (if you bonded over reading)
Hiking boots or mountains (if you've done adventures together)
Musical notes (if music brought you together)
Why this works: Even if the friendship changes, the symbol still represents something you genuinely love. A coffee cup tattoo is still cool even if you're not talking to that person anymore.
Complementary Designs (Not Identical)
This is smarter than matching tattoos. You each get something different that connects.
Examples:
Sun and moon
Yin and yang (but make it unique, not the basic symbol)
Two halves of a quote
Puzzle pieces that fit together (but each piece looks complete on its own)
Lock and key
Why this works: Your tattoos are related but independent. If the friendship ends, you still have a complete, meaningful tattoo.
Shared Experience or Inside Joke
Something only you two understand. This is actually the best approach.
Examples:
Coordinates of where you met
Date of a significant shared experience (not just "when we became friends")
Symbol from a trip you took together
Inside joke that's meaningful but not obvious
Why this works: It's personal, unique, and represents a real memory. Even if you drift apart, that memory still matters.
Minimalist and Timeless
Simple designs age better than elaborate ones. And they're less likely to feel cringey in 10 years.
What works:
Single line drawings
Small symbols
Simple geometric shapes
Tiny matching dots or dashes
Why this works: Minimalist tattoos are timeless. They won't feel dated or overdone.
Designs to Avoid (Learn From Others' Regrets)
Let's talk about what doesn't work:
"Best Friends" or "BFF" text. Too obvious, too limiting. What if you make other best friends? What if the friendship changes?
Infinity symbols. Everyone has one. It's the most generic friendship tattoo possible.
Matching hearts. Looks more romantic than friendly. People will assume you're a couple.
Each other's names. Just don't. Seriously. Even if you've been friends for 20 years. Names are for family (kids, parents) only.
Overly elaborate matching designs. The more complex, the more likely you'll regret it. Keep it simple.
Trendy designs. That geometric mandala that's everywhere right now? It'll feel dated in 5 years.
The Conversation You Need to Have First
Before you book the appointment, sit down and talk about these things:
"What happens if our friendship changes?"
Uncomfortable question, but necessary. Agree that the tattoo represents a meaningful time in your lives, regardless of what happens later.
"What does this tattoo actually represent?"
Make sure you're both getting it for the same reasons. If one person sees it as "we'll be friends forever" and the other sees it as "celebrating our friendship right now," that's a problem.
"Are we both genuinely excited, or is one of us just going along?"
Be honest. If one person is hesitant, wait. Don't let anyone pressure you into permanent ink.
"Have we thought about this long enough?"
If the idea is less than 6 months old, wait. Impulse decisions lead to regrets.
"What's our budget?"
Agree on how much you're each willing to spend. Don't let one person pay significantly more.
Placement That Works for Friendship Tattoos
Location matters more than you think.
Matching placement (same spot on both people):
Pros: Clearly connected, looks intentional Cons: More obvious, harder to hide if needed
Best spots for matching placement:
Inner wrist (visible but can be covered with watch)
Ankle (easy to hide with socks/shoes)
Behind ear (hidden by hair)
Ribcage (completely hidden)
Different placement (each person chooses their own spot):
Pros: More personal, less obvious Cons: Less clearly connected
Why this can work: The design connects you, not the placement. This gives each person more control over their own tattoo.
Visibility considerations:
Visible spots (wrist, forearm, ankle):
You'll see it daily (constant reminder)
Others will see it and ask about it
Harder to hide for professional settings
Hidden spots (ribs, shoulder blade, thigh):
More private and personal
Won't affect professional appearance
Less likely to get tired of seeing it
My take: If you're under 25 or in a conservative career field, go for a spot you can easily hide. You can always show it off when you want to, but you can't hide a forearm tattoo in a business meeting.
What Happens If the Friendship Ends
Let's address the elephant in the room. Friendships sometimes end. Here's how to handle it:
If you chose a good design (symbol, shared experience, complementary):
The tattoo still has meaning. It represents a time in your life that mattered. You don't have to regret it just because the friendship changed.
If you got something obvious (names, "BFF," matching hearts):
You have options:
Cover-up: A good artist can turn it into something new
Laser removal: Expensive and takes multiple sessions, but works
Modification: Add to it or change it into something different
Own it: Some people keep it as a reminder of lessons learned
The mindset shift:
Think of friendship tattoos like photos. You don't throw away pictures from a past relationship just because it ended. They represent a real time in your life. Same with tattoos.
Real talk: This is why choosing a design that stands on its own is so important. A mountain tattoo is still cool even if you're not friends with the person you hiked with anymore.
Cost and Logistics {#cost}
Typical costs:
Small, simple matching tattoos: $100-200 each
Medium designs with detail: $200-400 each
Larger or complex designs: $400-800+ each
Money tips:
Split the research, not the cost. Each person pays for their own tattoo. Don't let one friend cover both - it creates weird dynamics.
Book the same artist. If you want truly matching tattoos, use the same artist. Different artists have different styles, and "matching" tattoos from different shops often don't actually match.
Go together. Book appointments on the same day if possible. It's part of the experience, and you can support each other through the pain.
Tip appropriately. 20% is standard. Don't be cheap on tips for permanent art on your body.
Ideas That Actually Mean Something
Here are concepts that work because they're personal and meaningful:
Shared Experience Tattoos
Coordinates of a meaningful place:
Where you met
Location of a trip that changed you both
Place where something significant happened
Why it works: Specific to your friendship, not generic.
Complementary Symbols
Sun and moon:
Represents different personalities that complement each other
Each tattoo is complete on its own
Anchor and ship:
One person is the stability, one is the adventure
Works for friends with different personalities
Mountain and compass:
One person is the destination, one is the guide
Represents how you help each other navigate life
Shared Interest Tattoos
Books:
Matching book spines of your favorite book
Quote from a book that means something to both of you
Simple book symbol
Music:
Sound wave of a song that's meaningful
Matching musical notes
Lyrics that resonate with both of you
Adventure:
Matching hiking boots
Simple tent or campfire
Mountain range
Inside Joke or Unique Symbol
This is actually the best option because it's completely personal.
Examples:
Symbol from a shared experience only you two understand
Drawing one of you made that became "your thing"
Object that represents an inside joke
Why it's the best: No one else will have this tattoo. It's uniquely yours.
Minimalist Matching
Simple geometric shapes:
Matching triangles
Small circles
Simple lines
Tiny symbols:
Matching stars
Small hearts (but make them unique, not generic)
Dots or dashes in a pattern
Why it works: Subtle, timeless, won't feel overdone in 10 years.
FAQ: Best Friend Tattoos
Is it weird to get matching tattoos with a friend?
Not at all. Friendship tattoos are pretty common. The key is choosing a design that's meaningful and timeless, not generic and trendy. Make sure you've been friends for a while (5+ years ideally) and you're both genuinely excited about it.
How long should you be friends before getting matching tattoos?
There's no magic number, but most people who don't regret their friendship tattoos waited at least 5-10 years. If you've been through major life changes together and the friendship stayed strong, that's a good sign. Also, wait at least 6 months from when you first have the idea to when you actually get it.
What if my friend and I drift apart after getting matching tattoos?
This is why choosing the right design matters. If you get a symbol that represents a shared interest or experience (not just "best friends"), the tattoo still has meaning even if the friendship changes. Think of it like a photo - it represents a real time in your life, even if that time has passed.
Should best friend tattoos be identical or just similar?
Complementary designs (different but connected) are actually smarter than identical ones. Each person gets something that stands on its own but connects to the other person's tattoo. That way, if the friendship changes, you still have a complete, meaningful tattoo.
Where should I get a best friend tattoo?
Popular spots include inner wrist (visible but can be covered), ankle (easy to hide), behind the ear (hidden by hair), or ribs (completely private). Choose based on how visible you want it to be and your career/lifestyle. If you're under 25 or in a conservative field, go for somewhere you can easily hide.
How much do matching best friend tattoos cost?
Small, simple designs run $100-200 each. Medium designs with more detail cost $200-400 each. Larger or complex work can hit $400-800+ each. Each person should pay for their own tattoo - don't let one friend cover both, it creates weird dynamics.
What are good best friend tattoo ideas that aren't cheesy?
Skip the obvious "BFF" or infinity symbols. Instead, get something that represents your actual friendship: coordinates of where you met, symbols of shared interests (books, music, hiking), complementary designs (sun/moon, anchor/ship), or an inside joke only you two understand. The more personal and specific, the better.
Can you get best friend tattoos in different places on your body?
Absolutely. The design connects you, not the placement. This actually gives each person more control over their own tattoo and can make it feel more personal. Some friends get the same design but each choose their own placement.
What if only one of us wants the matching tattoo?
Don't do it. Both people need to be genuinely excited. If one person is hesitant or just going along with it, wait. Pressuring someone into a permanent tattoo is never a good idea, and it'll create resentment later.
Do best friend tattoos hurt more when you get them together?
The pain is the same whether you're alone or with your friend. But many people say having their friend there makes it easier - you can distract each other, laugh through the pain, and share the experience. Just don't distract the artist while they're working.
Should I tell my best friend if I'm having second thoughts about our matching tattoo?
Yes, absolutely. It's way better to have an awkward conversation now than to regret a permanent tattoo later. A real friend will understand and appreciate your honesty. If they pressure you or get upset, that's actually a red flag about the friendship.
What's the best age to get a best friend tattoo?
There's no perfect age, but waiting until you're at least 25 is smart. Your brain is fully developed, you have a better sense of who you are, and your friendships have had time to prove they're lasting. That said, some people get them younger and don't regret it - it's more about the friendship's history than your age.
Final Thoughts
Best friend tattoos can be amazing - when done right. The key is choosing a design that's meaningful, personal, and stands on its own. Not something generic that screams "we got matching tattoos."
Think of it this way: the best friendship tattoo is one you'd still love even if (worst case scenario) the friendship ended tomorrow. If you can honestly say that, you've found the right design.
Take your time. Wait at least 6 months. Make sure you're both genuinely excited. Choose something that represents your actual friendship, not just the concept of friendship.
And remember: the tattoo isn't what makes your friendship special. Your friendship is already special. The tattoo is just a way to celebrate that.
Comments