30 Broken Heart Tattoos That Are More Rad Than Sad

Whether you are heartbroken or if you just think broken heart tattoos look cool, any excuse is a good excuse to get one. Broken heart tattoos are popular designs that are a touch sad but they are mostly just really fun. Most people get them simply for their aesthetic qualities and they do indeed look fantastic when done by a trusted tattoo artist. From classic motifs to fresh ideas like broken glass, there’s no shortage of inspiration to draw from for your broken heart tattoo.

We’ve rounded up dozens of examples of broken heart tattoos to share with you so that you have a better idea of the possibilities and the limitations. Now, these very cool designs will be inspiring but we urge you to work with a tattoo artist to come up with your own original design. It’s okay to borrow ideas but don’t completely rip off another person’s tattoo. Now, let’s look at some ink!

Devilish

We’re kicking things off with a rather hot broken heart tattoo. Inside the heart, you will find a devil which is extremely original and unlike any of the other tattoos on this list. We like the idea of having a red character inside the heart for color. We wanted to start off with a bang but lets at a more standard broken heart tattoo next.

Keeping It Simple

The most common type of broken heart tattoo looks like the above example and it’s usually tattooed in black or red ink. We favor red but go black if you are into it. It’s an extremely simple design and you can go this basic if you wish. Just understand that you will be in good company if you go this route.

The Crying Heart

Broken heart tattoos with faces are fairly common. Most do not have this level of detail but a face inside of a heart shape is something you will find often. We’ll see more examples on this list if it’s something that interests you. In the above example, we love the texture the shading inside the heart offers. Further, the artist has tattooed the tears to look as if they are falling off of the face which is a cool effect.

Shattered

Shattered glass broken heart tattoos are very popular today. We will see a couple more examples as the list goes on but this one is sort of the standard one that people tend to get. It’s not a bad idea and it’s easy to understand why it is so beloved.

Shattered Part II

Here’s a slightly different interpretation of the shattered glass broken heart tattoo. Rather than having lines that radiate toward the center, we’ve got what looks like a bunch of little broken pieces that have been pieced back together.

Sad Skelly

“I don’t want to be sad,” this broken heart tattoo says. Behind the heart, there’s a skull, you know, for good measure. If you’re looking for something a little different, think of a character or element that’s unique and that you have an interest in. For something a bit more morose, you can definitely riff on this and go in a similar direction.

Like a Stone

Here, the broken heart tattoo has taken on a stone-like look with a crack down the center. Flanked by flowers, it offers a little bit of romance and life. Flowers are always a good idea when it comes to tattoos so do not skip requesting them if they speak to you.

Love Will Tear Us Apart

Here’s a cool shattered-face broken heart tattoo. This design holds so much emotion and visual interest. This is an innovative way to spin the more traditional face and heart designs. It is key to work with a great artist who you trust and they can really help you realize your vision for your design.

Anatomical

It’s a bit more difficult to create an anatomical broken heart tattoo because the idea is so conceptual. However, an artist can make it happen for you. Take a close look at the heart here and you’ll see all sorts of evidence that repairs have been made to it. It’s a stunner and a great direction to go if you want to go with a more realistic heart.

Heart of Glass

How cool of an effect is the purple glass heart here? We love the way the flower peeks out from behind the design. This is an innovative take on more traditional designs and we think the artist really delivered something that looks both old and new.

Heart and Hands

We find hands seeming to rip open a heart in this broken heart tattoo. If you’re interested in a design that’s more than just a heart, incorporating hands into your design will really add an extra layer of visual interest. Further, this gives a shape that’s perfect for placement on the top of the back or the upper chest.

Chipped

Here we find a broken heart tattoo that looks like it’s been cracked and chipped. It’s rather eerie with those glowing white eyes but we are not made about them. Take a look at that intense shading around the heart and how it seems to be highlighted in the center. That is a good decision if you want to add more interest to your design.

An Interesting Concept

As opposed to the glass being in the shape of the heart and breaking, this tattoo shows glass that has broken in the shape of a heart. It’s a great alternative if you like the broken glass look but want it to be slightly different than others out there.

Spider Web Broken Heart Tattoo

If your brand is creepy, go ahead and lean into it. This is a weird one but we liked the concept of half the heart being black and the other half being a spider web. You get to make the rules! Even though this design is very simple, it definitely is a standout on the list.

Right Through the Heart

A dagger through the heart tattoo is another design option open to you. It conveys the same sentiment while giving your tattoo artist the option to create a cool-looking dagger. We’ve got some flowers here for good measure that offers balance to the design.

Guillotine of Hearts

In a contest for the most creative broken heart tattoo, this one would likely win. We find a guillotine structure housed inside a heart that cuts other hearts in half. You will not find anything else like it on this list. Really think of creative ways to get your point across and it will definitely pay off.

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On the Mend

Go ahead and wrap that broken heart tattoo up if the mood strikes you. If you want your broken heart tattoo to like it’s on the mend, you could totally try something similar. There’s something so sweet and whimsical about this one.

Bleeding Heart Flowers

Someone understood the assignment! In this clever, broken heart tattoo, we find bleeding heart flowers which look like tiny little hearts. If you’re looking for a broken heart tattoo that also celebrates nature, take a look at these flowers as they could be the perfect combination of both.

Candy Heart

To us, this broken heart tattoo looks like a heart-shaped piece of candy that’s been broken. The glossy, red look is a fun one that we actually did not see as often as you might expect. Most people choose black ink for their broken heart tattoo but going with color has its virtues as well.

Pinned Together

Micro tattoos are wildly popular today. If you want to go small with your broken heart tattoo, it will absolutely make a big impact if you wisely design it. We find a safety pin holding two pieces of a broken heart together in this design and we can’t get enough.

Expressive

This is one of our favorite broken heart tattoos to make the list. The face is just so incredibly expressive and the details the artist has included make it really stick with you. Delicate shading is the star of the show as are the crisp, clean lines. A tidy tattoo can really speak for itself.

Love and Death

Okay! For this person’s broken heart tattoo, they wanted to include a couple of skeletons with wigs on, we presume. It’s very offbeat and unlike any other tattoo on the list. We also liked the way the artist went deep black inside the heart, making it look even more metal than it already is.

Traditional with a Twist

How gorgeous is this half-sleeve tattoo? We love the marriage of traditional imagery with this very contemporary concept. You could do no better when turning your broken heart tattoo into a unique sleeve. If you like traditional tattooing, be sure to tell your artist that you would like your design to reflect that.

Feeling Blue

Do not fear color. Colorful ink is your friend. More often than not folks will only go with black and grey but there are so many ways to bring a broken heart tattoo or any tattoo to life with a little color. Blue reads as sad, making it an excellent choice for a broken heart. Bold lines and a simple design really go along way.

Pop Art

Roy Lichtenstein would be jealous of this amazing broken heart tattoo. The dot elements of this tattoo remind us of his pop artworks that almost look like comic book drawings or even marketing illustrations. If you want something singular, find yourself an artist with a point of view to make it totally your own.

Decorative Touches

This broken heart tattoo looks like a piece of jewelry with all of its dazzling decorative elements. It reminds us of the Art Deco style. Make your heart reflect your tastes as any tattoo is going to be a form of self-expression. This sacred heart meets Art Deco decorative elements really looks rich.

Prickly

Why yes, this is the only broken heart tattoo on the list containing thorns. We don’t know why but we do like the idea of a prickly heart. Think outside the box for a design that perfectly expresses how you experience a broken heart.

Doctored Up

Similar to the safety pin heart, this heart has been patched up with a bandaid. It’s a carefree broken heart design that looks cute next to the other small tattoos around it. If you’re looking for a design that looks youthful and playful, go with something similar.

Tears

We liked the crack element that looks like a lightning bolt in this broken heart tattoo. Further, most that have facial elements have two eyes whereas this one contains only one. Those subtle differences make it stand out from other designs on this list.

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Inside

Wow! We find a face splitting apart to reveal a heart that’s been pierced by a dagger. What a creative way to visualize internal feelings. Tidy cleans and gentle shading really make this broken heart tattoo sing. Bravo!

There you go! We hope you enjoyed these broken heart tattoos and feel inspired to get your very own. Whether you’re getting a tattoo because you’re heartbroken or just because it looks cool, you have seen a number of ways to pull one off. If you liked these broken heart tattoos, you might also like kawaii tattoos that are all about cute stuff.

Are You Looking for Cute Tattoos to Inspire Your Own Ink? Discover Some Fun Ideas Below:

Tiny Fruits

There are many micro tattoos that double as cute tattoos. The small size invites a sense of intimacy and sweetness. This is the first fruit tattoo on this list but it won’t be the last. Get your favorite fruit tattooed and you will have a delicious piece for the rest of your life.

A Touch Spooky

The person who shared this image explained that this was a Friday 13 tattoo. That explains the spooky, Halloween theme here. Nothing is scary, however. We’re looking at all the cute details in this design like the “sparkle” effect and all of the vibrant colors.

Fine Feline

A few thin, fine lines are all it takes to create cute tattoos that feel like magic. This lovely cat portrait is so simple yet effective. Meow!

Slice of Melon

We’re bringing you more fruit, this time watermelon! Micro tattoos are just so delightful and even though they are small, they make a huge impact. Doesn’t this tattoo make you crave warm, summer days?

Little Lamb

Any baby animal is a possibility for cute tattoos. How adorable is this kid? Get a cute tattoo of your favorite animal and you won’t live to regret that choice.

Fur Baby Love

This is one of the many cute tattoos that is a love letter to cats. If you have a fur baby, consider getting something similar that celebrates your special friend.

Stitch

Disney tattoos are big business and most of them are extremely cute. This one of Stitch is something spectacular. Think of your favorite Disney characters and consider which one would make the cutest tattoo.

A Frog on a Cruise

What a unique concept! We find a little frog taking a ride on the back of a duck. Is this the perfect little cruise? It’s likely.

Happy Baby

This is one of our favorite cute tattoos on the list that finds a cute little elephant soaring in the air. Baby animals are big among cute tattoos and you should consider your favorites for them.

Moo!

We are treated to the face of a brown cow in this design that’s got a hint of neo-traditional style. Do you love cows? They certainly make for cute tattoos.

Soul

Where are the fans of Pixar’s Soul? Any animated media makes for evocative and cute tattoos. Think of your childhood favorites or even new faves to inspire your tattoo. This one is truly magical!

Kewpie Bundle

Kewpie tattoos have been around for decades and they are slightly trendy today. These adorable baby tattoos are just so fun and endlessly adaptable. You can set your kewpie baby in a setting that appeals to you.

Pretty Pups

We are huge fans of pet tattoos. If you’ve got some fur babies in your life, chances are you find them endlessly cute. If that’s the case, you certainly should celebrate your baby with cute tattoos of them. Aren’t these darlings?

Magical Mirror

Wow! We find a cosmic scene reflected in this tattoo of a compact mirror. Sparkling star elements really bring this design to life and keep things very, very cute.

Minimalist Butterflies

You don’t have to get fussy or sign up for a big commitment when it comes to your cute tattoos. Simplicity is bliss in this design that finds minimalist butterflies highlighted by some cute sparkle elements.

An Unlikely Success

When we think of the cute things that exist in this world, one of the last things to come to mind is snakes. However, we find this snake tattoo to be a winning example of how anything can be transformed into cuteness. Don’t you just love those pastel tones?

Pink Bow

We saw a number of cute tattoos of bows while researching designs for this piece. Here is one of our favorites. It’s delicate, soft, and very feminine. We imagine you can think of a variety of placements for something similar that will look excellent.

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Penguin Party

Are penguins one of the cutest animals on earth? If you ask us, they rank pretty highly. This one is carrying snowballs and we’re in love. Tattoo artists have been experimenting with white ink more and more in recent years and you can see that it adds a touch of romance to this design.

Penguin Party Part II

We can’t get enough penguins! Here’s a parent with their baby with some building blocks and a little trumpet. It’s totally whimsical and playful. As you’ve seen with cute tattoos, baby animals are the way to go.

3D Dino

3D tattoos are a huge trend today. Artists are able to double the design in such a way to make it pop off of the skin. This is one of the cutest 3D designs we’ve seen that features a childlike T-Rex. How fun!

Beautiful Bun

Here’s a larger piece that finds a bunny amid some handsome flowers. The linework and shading are remarkable in this tidy and cheerful design. We’ve got another rabbit tattoo to share with you.

A Little Locket

Here’s a fun, delicate design that finds a heart-shaped locket tattooed with some very, very fine lines. It’s a unique design, especially for the arm but we find it to be a successful one.

Little Flowers

How fun are these very basic flowers tattooed in just red and green? If you’re not looking for something too big are that will take hours to complete, consider going small and minimal with your cute tattoos.

Big Flowers

We’ve shown you small and now we’ve got some dramatic, big buds for you. How excellent do these flowers look? This tattoo is bursting with life and romance and we imagine this person gets tons of compliments on how brilliant it looks. Bravo!

Peach Cola

Do you have a sweet tooth? Let your cute tattoos reflect that. This feels like the most Atlanta tattoo we’ve ever seen but this peach cola tattoo hails from California. Celebrate your favorite treats in ink form and they will always bring a smile to your face.

Coffee and Pan Dulce

We told you treats make really great tattoos. Here’s a coffee and pan dulce tattoo on a super small scale. What food pairing do you love most? They can be your next cute tattoos!

More Rabbits, Please

As promised, here’s another cute tattoo of a bunny. Take a look at that delicate shading that gives the rabbit such a pleasant texture. It’s clear rabbits are winners so if you love these cute creatures, you’d be wise to request something similar.

Tiny Rainbow

A little rainbow in a jar? We’ll take it! In this very simple design, we find this whimsical scene that looks very cheerful and energetic.

So Sweet

You do need that cupcake with a face tattoo. If you love to bake or simply just love sweets, cakes and other tasty delights make really cute tattoos.

Space Kitty

Here’s a cat inside a flying saucer with lightning bolts shooting from it. Why? We have no idea. Do we care? Nope! This singular design is pretty weird and the more you think outside of the box, the better your tattoo will be. Get weird with it!

Lily of the Valley

Lily of the valley flowers are so beautiful and they translate to beautiful tattoos when done by capable hands. We love the play of blue for the blossoms and those pink, star elements. Isn’t it dazzling?

Rainbow Butterfly

Here’s another one of the cute tattoos to feature a rainbow. We don’t know how the artist pulled this one off but there’s an entire rainbow of colors inside that tiny butterfly. it’s so good that it’s enough to make you jealous.

Prickly Friend

A porcupine was not front of mind when we were thinking about cute tattoos but this one certainly meets the criteria. How about the texture the artist has included? Aren’t those tiny spikes just adorable?

A Magical Short Stack

The person who shared this image described the tattoo as “fairy pancakes.” We did not know this was a thing that exists in the world but we find this design to be incredibly sweet and endearing. What foods do you want to put wings on?

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Checker Heart

We leave you with a very simple yet fun heart tattoo with a checkerboard pattern. Hearts will always be cute tattoos so think of ways to fashion some for your own, unique design.

There you go! What did you think of these super cute tattoos? We hope you found some that will work for your own personal style. Use these designs to inspire your own ink but don’t copy them. Use them for inspiration but allow your tattoo artist to create a design that shares your unique point of view. Happy tattooing!