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With the leg being such an obscure body part, lower leg tattoo ideas try to capture beauty and coolness effectively. In the winter season, with the cold weather outside, the lower leg tattoos you have are covered, and in the summer — you can show them off to the world. But why get a tattoo if you are not going to show it off? Because of this question, it's vital to understand the uniqueness of a lower leg tattoo.

As with any leg tattoo that people decide to get, a calf one will be less visible than an arm one. For this reason, these types of tattoos must be creative and flexible in how they approach the design. However, the benefits that lower leg tattoos bring with them overshadow every negative thing. While more visible tattoo designs usually take the spotlight, the simple calf and leg tattoo ideas grab that attention right from them once they get revealed.

So, if you are out looking for cool tattoos to look at and maybe get inspired by — you are in luck. Below, we have compiled a list of the most creative tattoos for the calf. We have real masterpieces among them and a vast choice of lower leg tattoos for men and lower leg tattoos for women alike. Also, there are a ton of tattoo designs that are not gendered because tattoos are essentially for each and every one of us! 

Upvote the ones that caught your eye the most, and leave a comment if you have a similar tattoo. On the other hand, if these ones didn’t amuse you, we have more tattoos on other lists.

#2

Pawprints Over The Rainbow Bridge For Alyssa

Pawprints Over The Rainbow Bridge For Alyssa

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Key Considerations Before Getting a Lower Leg Tattoo

You might have a couple of questions before committing to a lower leg tattoo, and it is only reasonable to learn as much as you can before you do. That’s why we have provided answers to some of the most common questions about leg tattoos (so you won’t end up with a tattoo looking as hilariously bad as these): 

Are lower leg tattoos painful? As you might well know, pain tolerance varies greatly from person to person. That said, as a general rule, the fleshier parts of your body (like the calf) will likely be less painful than areas with less flesh (like the ankle). 

How long does it take to heal? It all depends on the complexity and the design of your tattoo, but the initial phase of healing usually lasts around two to three weeks. You should expect your tattoo to be completely healed in several months' time. 

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Can you shave your leg once it has been tattooed? Absolutely, if you wish so. However, wait for your design to heal completely, and until then, best embrace the peach fuzz. 

Will a lower leg tattoo blur over time? All tattoos fade over time, and leg tattoos are no exception. However, proper maintenance and prevention of exposure to the sun might keep your tattoo vibrant for a long time to come. 

Is the lower leg a good place for a tattoo? Yes, it is a great choice if you like to expose your design more than you’d be able to show off a tattoo on your thigh. At the same time, lower leg tattoos allow you to cover them easily if such a need arises. 

Hopefully, you found the answer to your question here! If not, remember that a good tattoo artist will be capable of answering all your questions and giving you additional information on your concerns. For now, though, let’s go back to our list of lower leg tattoo ideas.

#4

Kayla Picked Out This Ghost From My Flash For The Back Of Her Calf, And I Couldn’t Be More Obsessed With How It Compliments Her Complexion

Kayla Picked Out This Ghost From My Flash For The Back Of Her Calf, And I Couldn’t Be More Obsessed With How It Compliments Her Complexion

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CelticElff
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those stickers actually look like glitter. And it perfectly matches their complexion!

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#5

Little One On The Calf Today. Thank You Dee! Always Nice To Know People Are Willing To Travel

Little One On The Calf Today. Thank You Dee! Always Nice To Know People Are Willing To Travel

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#7

Practicing My Symmetrical Tattooing Skills On

Practicing My Symmetrical Tattooing Skills On

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#9

Butterfly Calf Tattoo

Butterfly Calf Tattoo

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Roan The Demon Kitty
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

beautiful! however, one thing to consider about watercolour/edgeless tattoo's is that they can fade and lose definition more with age, though it depends on your skin as well, I suppose.

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#10

Behold My New Calf Tattoo. Done By Darcy At Lake Eden Tattoo Gallery In Brisbane, Australia

Behold My New Calf Tattoo. Done By Darcy At Lake Eden Tattoo Gallery In Brisbane, Australia

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#12

Sun & Moon

Sun & Moon

A pair of tarot cards from my flash today for Rachael! Thank you so much for claiming them I really love the way they turned out.

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#13

Freehand Abstract Geometry For Marcin - A Huge Thank You For Your Trust And Kindness

Freehand Abstract Geometry For Marcin - A Huge Thank You For Your Trust And Kindness

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#14

Coneflowers

Coneflowers

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#15

May The 4th Be With You! Happy Star Wars Day! Here’s Them Robots From That There Movies

May The 4th Be With You! Happy Star Wars Day! Here’s Them Robots From That There Movies

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#16

Lighthouse Calf Tattoo

Lighthouse Calf Tattoo

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#17

Edible Plants Of The PNW! So Happy I Got To Finally Do This Piece That Was Up For Grabs

Edible Plants Of The PNW! So Happy I Got To Finally Do This Piece That Was Up For Grabs

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#19

Hand Poked Robot Tattoo

Hand Poked Robot Tattoo

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Roan The Demon Kitty
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that aint no ordinary robot, that's the Iron Giant! I loved that movie growing up <3

#20

It’s Always Nerve Racking Doing Portraits Of Loved Ones But Helps So Much When Your Client Is A Bloody Legend

It’s Always Nerve Racking Doing Portraits Of Loved Ones But Helps So Much When Your Client Is A Bloody Legend

On the left we have Donald’s Dad Alex who served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and on the right his Grandfatther who was a Pipe sergeant in WW1. Donald also served for 23 years and 95 days!

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#21

Colourful Plant Calf Tattoo

Colourful Plant Calf Tattoo

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#24

Crash Bandicoot Calf Tattoo

Crash Bandicoot Calf Tattoo

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CelticElff
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a fantastic patch tat! Love the watercolor splash in the background, too <3

#25

I Got This Calf Tattoo Of My Girl Bert Last Year

I Got This Calf Tattoo Of My Girl Bert Last Year

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Roan The Demon Kitty
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sweet! Black cat tattoo's in particular are hard for artists to pull off, so this is brilliant!

#26

A Bouquet Made Up Of Oregano, Basil, Thyme, And Rosemary For Evan

A Bouquet Made Up Of Oregano, Basil, Thyme, And Rosemary For Evan

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#27

Floral Leg Piece

Floral Leg Piece

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#28

Bottom Healed — Top Fresh. Alice In Wonderland Full Leg Sleeve Is Getting There

Bottom Healed — Top Fresh. Alice In Wonderland Full Leg Sleeve Is Getting There

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#29

My Head Is A Fishbowl

My Head Is A Fishbowl

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#30

Outline Done! Can’t Wait To Start Shading. Thanks

Outline Done! Can’t Wait To Start Shading. Thanks

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#36

This Is My First Tattoo, ‘Mithrandir’ By Caio Gaia In Dublin, Ireland

This Is My First Tattoo, ‘Mithrandir’ By Caio Gaia In Dublin, Ireland

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#37

Planets For Melissa

Planets For Melissa

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#38

Why Get 1 Butterfly When You Can Get 2

Why Get 1 Butterfly When You Can Get 2

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#41

Love Calf Tattoo

Love Calf Tattoo

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#42

It's Always An Honor To Do Memorials

It's Always An Honor To Do Memorials

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#44

Little Star Wars Themed Tattoo

Little Star Wars Themed Tattoo

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Roan The Demon Kitty
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like the plague doctor mask more xD (ngl i got fed up with the baby yoda thing everywhere, never been a huge star wars fan anyway though, it's a good tattoo though)

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#47

Another Session On This One

Another Session On This One

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#48

Meditating Yoda With Kyber Crystals Floating Around

Meditating Yoda With Kyber Crystals Floating Around

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#51

First Session Done

First Session Done

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#56

Stay Weird, Stay Puft

Stay Weird, Stay Puft

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#57

For Andrea

For Andrea

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#59

Another Spirited Away Piece

Another Spirited Away Piece

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#60

Really Enjoying This One So Far! Start Of Gin From Hotarubi No Mori

Really Enjoying This One So Far! Start Of Gin From Hotarubi No Mori

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#62

My Travel-Inspired Calf/Wrap - By Ben Johnson At Electric Hand, Nashville, TN

My Travel-Inspired Calf/Wrap - By Ben Johnson At Electric Hand, Nashville, TN

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#63

Calf Tattoo. By Aaron Mckinney At Van’s High Caliber Tattoo In Kennewick, WA

Calf Tattoo. By Aaron Mckinney At Van’s High Caliber Tattoo In Kennewick, WA

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#64

Shutter Island Inspired Calf Piece, Done By Mikey At New Era In La

Shutter Island Inspired Calf Piece, Done By Mikey At New Era In La

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#65

Tattoo Done By Mia Huhes

Tattoo Done By Mia Huhes

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#66

Calf Tattoo Done By Raine At Black Sheep In Fort Wayne

Calf Tattoo Done By Raine At Black Sheep In Fort Wayne

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#67

Summer Vibes By Andy Today

Summer Vibes By Andy Today

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#69

Black & Grey Calf Tattoo

Black & Grey Calf Tattoo

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#70

Cover Up Samurai

Cover Up Samurai

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#72

Hockey Field Tattoo

Hockey Field Tattoo

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#73

Wake Up. A Donnie Darko Piece For Guy, Thank You So Much! I Love This Movie & Had Such A Lovely Day

Wake Up. A Donnie Darko Piece For Guy, Thank You So Much! I Love This Movie & Had Such A Lovely Day

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#75

Endgegner-Tattoo

Endgegner-Tattoo

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#76

Skull Heart Design

Skull Heart Design

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#77

Little Butterfly

Little Butterfly

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Beemer Guy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's actually a Death's Head moth, homage to Silence of the Lambs?

#78

Calf Band Tattoo

Calf Band Tattoo

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#79

By Andrew Lee Tattoos

By Andrew Lee Tattoos

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#80

Black Calf Tattoo

Black Calf Tattoo

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#82

Finally Got To Do The Bunny From My Flash! I'd Love To Do More Creepy Cute Things Like This

Finally Got To Do The Bunny From My Flash! I'd Love To Do More Creepy Cute Things Like This

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#83

Calf Tattoo. Half Healed, Half Fresh

Calf Tattoo. Half Healed, Half Fresh

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#85

Fun Owl I Got To Do For James

Fun Owl I Got To Do For James

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#86

Medusa Tattoo

Medusa Tattoo

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#87

And Another One. Quite Happily Tattoo These Forever

And Another One. Quite Happily Tattoo These Forever

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#89

Harley Quinn Piece Finished Up On Cindy

Harley Quinn Piece Finished Up On Cindy

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#90

Special Request For Keith. He Likes Birds And Mushrooms. I Like Skulls

Special Request For Keith. He Likes Birds And Mushrooms. I Like Skulls

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#91

Congrats On The New Puppy Brittany

Congrats On The New Puppy Brittany

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#93

Creamy Taco Frog Tattoo

Creamy Taco Frog Tattoo

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#94

Wanda Came In And Got My Cutie Pie Hannya Tattooed

Wanda Came In And Got My Cutie Pie Hannya Tattooed

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#95

Sugarskull Black And Grey

Sugarskull Black And Grey

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#96

Dragonfly Tattoo Work In Progress

Dragonfly Tattoo Work In Progress

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