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Illusions and tattoos were destined to go hand-in-hand. Optical illusion tattoos are pieces of art that do as the name says — mess with the eyes. Though at first, it might seem like a simple work of ink on the skin, in reality, tattoos like these are some of the most creative things ever. A brilliant optical illusion tattoo is clever in its deception.

While optical illusion art paintings always stay static, tattoos are bound to move when the skin stretches. Fortunately, illusion tattoos can play into this. Unlike trippy tattoos, whose impact comes from the double vision effect or colors, illusionary tattoos manipulate our eyes. Optical illusions, in the form of tattoos, create endless loops or bottomless pits, allowing our minds to look for the end, which doesn’t exist. 

If you are out looking for an optical illusion to put on your skin, you are in luck. In the list below, we have compiled some of the best tattoo designs that play with our eyes. Be sure to upvote the cool tattoo ideas you think are the most mind-bending. Otherwise, if you have a similar tattoo already, be sure to share it with a comment below.

#1

3D Crocodile On An Arm Optical Illusion Tattoo

3D Crocodile On An Arm Optical Illusion Tattoo

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

I can see them offering a handshake and then other person jumps out of their skin

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#5

Infinity Hole Optical Illusion Arm Tattoo

Infinity Hole Optical Illusion Arm Tattoo

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#6

Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

aureoroma Report

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

I love this! I would love to have an image of my younger self trying to break free from the older self I am now.

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#7

Deer And Forrest Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

Deer And Forrest Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

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

Ok I rlly like horned animals and this is the coolest tattoo I've ever seen

#8

Optical Illusion Shoulder And Chest Tattoo

Optical Illusion Shoulder And Chest Tattoo

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

That eye is ridiculously realistic. As good as paintings on proper canvases

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#9

Skull And Sisters Optical Illusion Tattoo

Skull And Sisters Optical Illusion Tattoo

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#13

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

missheidistattoo Report

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#15

Skull Hidden In A Garden Optical Illusion Arm Tattoo

Skull Hidden In A Garden Optical Illusion Arm Tattoo

tinyminnowtattoo Report

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#16

Optical Illusion Finger Tattoo

Optical Illusion Finger Tattoo

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#17

Colorful Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Colorful Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

tattooassist Report

#20

Optical Illusion Skull Tattoo

Optical Illusion Skull Tattoo

dontttripstudio Report

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#21

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Itsjustcavan Report

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#22

Optical Illusion Head Tattoo

Optical Illusion Head Tattoo

inker_land Report

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

Imagine being a hairdresser. A man comes in and asks you to shave all of his hairs. And underneath lies this masterpiece...

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#26

Colorful Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Colorful Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

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#27

Optical Illusion Snake Tattoo

Optical Illusion Snake Tattoo

Ancient-Bat-8179 Report

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#28

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

nocturne_art Report

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

At my first glance, and forgive me for this, but the mouth looked like a butt hole. Then I realized. Amazing.

#29

Optical Illusion Rose Tattoo

Optical Illusion Rose Tattoo

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Joy
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The turquoise is a knockout ℹ🆙️🆒️🆓️🆕️🆗️ℹ

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#30

Trippy Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Trippy Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

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#31

Candle Optical Illusion Finger Tattoo

Candle Optical Illusion Finger Tattoo

eternaltattoo.columbus Report

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#32

Colorful Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

Colorful Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

tedwardofficial Report

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#33

Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

hushanesthetic Report

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#34

Duck And Rabbit Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Duck And Rabbit Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

winstonartwork Report

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#36

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

outerlimitscostamesa Report

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#37

Loop Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Loop Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

hhcboy Report

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#38

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

burrninkstudio Report

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#39

Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

santhelia Report

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#40

Two Face Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

Two Face Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

endlesslydivine_ Report

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#41

Optical Illusion Head Tattoo

Optical Illusion Head Tattoo

gribrusoni Report

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#42

Optical Illusion Butterfly Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Butterfly Hand Tattoo

studiobadvibrations Report

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#43

Two Face Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Two Face Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Pm_me_unicornss Report

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#44

Optical Illusion Full Sleeve Tattoo

Optical Illusion Full Sleeve Tattoo

veracruz_tattoo Report

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#45

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

chiefchadula Report

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#46

Optical Illusion Whale Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Whale Hand Tattoo

emblaholm Report

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#47

Spooky Door Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Spooky Door Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

sleepy_poppy_tattoos Report

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#48

Optical Illusion Lady Head Tattoo

Optical Illusion Lady Head Tattoo

tattoosnob Report

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#49

Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

LSD25hoffmans-potion Report

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#50

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

letiziavixen_art Report

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#51

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

alexmeekintattoos Report

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#52

Flower And Face Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Flower And Face Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

ediebea Report

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#53

Optical Illusion Foot Tattoo

Optical Illusion Foot Tattoo

cstattoogallery Report

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#54

Serotonin And Dopamine Optical Illusion Arm Tattoo

Serotonin And Dopamine Optical Illusion Arm Tattoo

tatdew Report

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#55

Face Optical Illusion Arm Tattoo

Face Optical Illusion Arm Tattoo

caesarbacchvs_tattoos Report

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#56

Optical Illusion Arm Tattoo

Optical Illusion Arm Tattoo

umidita_skin Report

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#57

Optical Illusion Arm Tattoo

Optical Illusion Arm Tattoo

sam_brown_skinshokz Report

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#58

Flower Optical Illusion Arm Tattoo

Flower Optical Illusion Arm Tattoo

FreeloExpress Report

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#59

Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

kjthemick Report

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#60

Wale And Wasp Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Wale And Wasp Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

zeblacktattoo Report

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#61

Optical Illusion Eye Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Eye Hand Tattoo

estefaniacss.art Report

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#62

Geometric Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Geometric Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

alessandro_danella Report

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#63

Stair Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Stair Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

nicolo_dubla Report

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#64

Baby Yoda Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Baby Yoda Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

phantom.billy Report

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#65

Endless Loop Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

Endless Loop Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

jordantwotone Report

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#66

Trippy Twist Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Trippy Twist Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

tatsbymars Report

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#67

Trippy Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Trippy Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

willtattoochapeco Report

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#68

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

sailorose_ Report

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#69

Leg Cramp Optical Illusion Tattoo

Leg Cramp Optical Illusion Tattoo

wowie.zow Report

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#70

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

monsteralphabet Report

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#71

Trippy Stay Focused Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Trippy Stay Focused Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

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#72

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

cyborg.nn Report

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#73

Cube Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Cube Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

rubybladetattoos Report

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#74

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

veracruz_tattoo Report

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#75

Zebra's Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

Zebra's Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

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#76

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

phantom.billy Report

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#77

Wave Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Wave Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

kirstietrew Report

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#78

Jenga Blocks Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

Jenga Blocks Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

rattytattoo Report

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#79

Double Face Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Double Face Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

mykolapfefer Report

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#80

Optical Illusion Chest Tattoo

Optical Illusion Chest Tattoo

ta.ttoos_ Report

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#81

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

uniontattooandpiercing Report

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#82

Optical Illusion Lady Leg Tattoo

Optical Illusion Lady Leg Tattoo

EchoSkylight Report

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#83

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

freeasdeer Report

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#84

Flower Loop Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Flower Loop Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

gunsandinkstattoos Report

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#85

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

jennharritattoo Report

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#86

Colorful Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

Colorful Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

sharp.pencil_ Report

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#87

Optical Illusion Hand Sleeve Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Sleeve Tattoo

deefloriantattoos Report

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#88

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

madanvaradarajan Report

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#89

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

Optical Illusion Hand Tattoo

nappivinz Report

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#90

Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

ananta.ink Report

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#91

Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

Optical Illusion Leg Tattoo

kb.kb Report

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