75 Neck Tattoos That Will Blow Your Mind

Are you looking for ink inspiration? We’ve got you covered when it comes to neck tattoos. A neck tattoo is so special because it’s one design that’s impossible to keep covered up unless you intend on spending the rest of your life in a turtle neck. That means that neck tattoos hold extra special meaning for the folks who have them as there is simply no hiding this type of ink.

We wanted to get a better idea of the types of neck tattoos people are getting these days so we turned to social media to get a better idea of the trends and styles people are choosing today. We were pleasantly surprised to find a huge variety of tattoos from small to big in varying styles. If you are considering getting a neck tattoo, be sure to take the shape of the tattoo in mind as you can really alter the look of your neck with the right design. Check out these amazing neck tattoos for ink inspiration!

Get Inspired by These Amazing Neck Tattoos!

Gotta Catch ’em All

Somebody’s neck caught ’em all. These colorful Pokémon make for very cute subjects of this vivid neck tattoo.

A Rose

This brave tattoo enthusiast made her first tattoo one she’ll never forget! The tattoo artist lovingly referred to the tattoo as a “jobstopper.” In tattoo lingo, any tattoo that goes on the face, hands, or neck is considered a “jobstopper.” We think it’s cute! Hire this lady!

Like a Cartoon

This woman has a very colorful chest piece and it looks like the majority of her neck has been inked as well. The overall design makes us think of Disney animated films. We especially love all the vivid blues used.

Talk to the Hand

We are all really weird creatures and tattoos allow people to really express themselves and their personalities. In the classic 2000 blockbuster, Cast Away, Tom Hanks forms a bond with a volleyball while stranded on an island. This tribute to that movie and to dearest Wilson is a treasure.

Ornamental

Simply done in black ink, this neck tattoo takes up a lot of real estate. The abstract, geometric design contrasts with the butterfly tattoos that are already on her chest. The person calls her tattoo, “my neck jewelry.”

Don’t Do It

Never. This beautiful Picasso-style dove tattoo with the message “Never give up” is an affirmation we could look at every day. A lot of people get mental health tattoos to encourage them to continue being their authentic selves.

Bold & Black

This simple black zigzag design uses the shape of the neck to inform its shape. As you can see, not the first time at the rodeo, she has cute hand tattoos as well.

Subtle

This pet tattoo of a dog is so sweet. We love how the dog is “facing” the same direction as its owner. We all love our little fur babies so much.

Electric Geometric

If you look at this geometric design for too long you’ll start to feel like you’re falling forward. The tattoo artist used white ink on black to create this incredible design. It’s one of the most creative neck tattoos on this list!

Great Advice

Another great reminder here, to take a deep breath every once in a while is a welcome message. For many people with anxiety or stress, not breathing or only taking shallow breaths is common. Neck tattoos can be your therapy!

Get Money

Take a closer look at this rose. As you can see, instead of petals, it’s made up of hundred-dollar bills. The unique and creative neck tattoo conveys a lot in one simple design.

Feeling Low?

Probably one of the weirdest neck tattoos on the list, this USB charger is not a tattoo we necessarily endorse, but we did want you to know that it exists. The tattoo artist tattooed this for his wife and he shared the picture with the message “always charging.” We got it, thanks.

Set Sail

The back of the neck is much easier both to tattoo and get tattooed. This beautiful black and grey ship is a stunner.

Best Buds

Aw. Cats are the most. Period. We love cats and any pet tattoo. Here’s a picture of some furry friends together. We wouldn’t say this tattoo is very subtle, but the minimal design keeps it from being too much.

Love This Dove

You’ll notice there are two distinctly different tattoos. On the shoulders, a bat. Above the bat, there’s a more complicated design of a dove with rays of sunlight beaming down.

Eye Spy

This mesmerizing eye tattoo really gives us some feels. It is expertly done and reminds us of every mom or caregiver who’s ever said: “I’ve got eyes in the back of my head.”

In Bloom

This gorgeous and quite large rose tattoo is beautiful in black and grey. Fine linework has been expertly applied to shade the petals of the rose.

Moody

There is a lot of tattoo to take in here. We love how delicate the grey looks around the lips near the center of the chest. We love the architectural details here that really make this design stand out.

Fine Fishes

Red ink on this skin tone is a winner. These modestly sized koi fish look stunning in red. They look ethereal like they’re actually swimming.

Mandala-Inspired

This handsome neck tattoo is mandala-inspired and is a stick and poke tattoo comprised mostly of dots. This photo must have been taken after the tattoo had healed a bit because the hair on the back of his head would have been shaved.

Forever & Ever

For women with long hair, the back of the neck can be covered for certain situations. We’re not sure if this is considered a “jobstopper” because it’s just too sweet. The infinity sign with a micro hummingbird has so much charm.

A Moth

Death’s-head moths are popular designs for neck tattoos. For many, the tattoo will conjure memories of The Silence of the Lambs. There’s also a grenade on the side of his neck so we get that this person is into some macabre stuff.

Spectacled

We really hope the person who got this neck tattoo wears glasses. If not, we don’t know what to make of it! We like any nerdy sort of design so we’ll take it either way. It’s one of the most unique neck tattoos on this list!

Going to the Chapel

Michelangelo’s fresco in the Sistine Chapel, God Created Adam, is beloved and instantly recognizable. This closeup of just the hands looks incredible.

No Dot About It

The woman with these five dots tattooed on her neck says she was inspired by industrial music. Okay! These dots seem to have a peaceful almost meditative vibe to us. Express yourself with neck tattoos and you won’t regret it!

More Moth

Here we have another death’s-head moth but this one’s a part of something more substantial. We love how two different styles of tattooing: fine line, and dot work are employed and contrast with one another. We told you moths are popular neck tattoos!

He Is

In Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, the concluding quote is “I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.” Many people were inspired by this and understand that it’s about existence. This beautiful neck tattoo is simple, subtle, and carries a beautiful message.

Rawr!

The person who shared this image was proud of the “dot work honeycomb filler.” In addition to all those little dots, you are treated to a roaring black cat and a stunning flower.

You Love to See It

She wears her heart on her neck. This cute heart is very loveable and a great reminder to spread love to all.

Peepers

This pair of tiger eyes is certainly unique and kind of menacing. However, the eyes are beautiful and the texture and shading of the fur look almost like an abstract pattern. It’s one of the most mysterious neck tattoos on this list!

Soaring

This eagle tattoo is actually a tattoo coverup that’s hiding an old tattoo. We love tattoos done in this traditional style.

Keep Going!

A semicolon tattoo is an affirmation of and solidarity with any person with mental health issues. This small, but effective tattoo communicates a lot even though it’s just a dot and a comma.

Ink All Over

This woman had her chest piece tattoo extended up to her chin. The tattoo is a dot work tattoo that looks fantastic. We love how the shape compliments the shape of the neck.

A Sword

A fine line tattoo can really dazzle and this example does just that. Look at all of those teeny tiny hatch marks that give the sword depth. The artist needed a steady hand to complete them.

Skull & Snake

This skull and snake design is done in black and grey and is kind of creepy. This morbid tattoo looks stunning.

White Ink

Okay. This is maybe the weirdest tattoo that we can’t stop looking at. As you can see, there’s a white line at this woman’s jawline that’s been tattooed and has healed. Below, the pink-looking are is a freshly completed line. It’s a white ink tattoo that’s probably unnoticeable to anyone who’s not near her. Stay weird! This is one of the strangest neck tattoos on the list!

Owl Pal

This tattoo design is wild! The shape is like a combination of a Rorschach test and an owl with spread wings. The eyes of the owl are piercing. This is one of the most original neck tattoos on this list.

Make Good Choices

Neck tattoos are a great form of affirmation for many people. Tattoos that foster emotional support and encouragement will never go out of style.

RELATED: 35 Subtle Neck Tattoos That Will Make You Think, ‘Oh, Maybe I *Could* Pull One Off…’

Cute & Colorful

Who needs a necklace when you can have neck tattoos? Diamonds are not this girl’s best friend. This colorful mandala-inspired tattoo includes a “necklace” of jewel shapes.

Beautiful Butterflies

Have you ever? These stunning micro butterfly neck tattoos don’t look real. We would love to see more baby butterfly tattoos like this. Please and thank you.

Kinda Creepy

This person needed not one, but two different skulls tattooed on their neck. The new addition is the skeletal Virgin Mary with red eyes.

Meditative

This winged creature looks so fabulous flanked by crescent moon shapes. Natural elements will never do you wrong when it comes to neck tattoos!

Flower Power

This huge floral tattoo was shared by the tattoo artist who completed it. She said the person getting the tattoo “Didn’t flinch once.” Which is impressive! These flowers are beautiful but they stretch from the ear all the way to the shoulder. If you love ambitious neck tattoos, something similar could be perfect for you.

Woof!

The neck is not the most popular spot for pet tattoos but that should not stop you! If you’ve got a fur baby in mind, go for it!

From the Shoulder On Up

Here’s another one of the neck tattoos that stretches all the way from the ear to the shoulder. This abstract design looks almost like the stacked vertebrae of a spinal column.

Paying the Price

“No matter how much you change, you still have to pay the price for the things you have done,” this tattoo reads. Which seems a bit bitter. However, we love the stylized lettering!

Brilliant & Black

Believe it or not, this is one of the neck tattoos on this list that’s actually covering up an older tattoo. There one was a silhoutte of a bird where this moody, black butterfly now rests.

Some Sunshine

This sunflower tattoo is one of the best neck tattoos we came across. The color choices are perfect and it looks sharp.

Tree of Life

We find a very cute tree of life tattoo in this image. If you look closely, you will find letters that represent members of this person’s family tree.

Mum’s the Word

Gentlemen, giant flower neck tattoos are better than skulls. We would just like to put that out into the universe. This colorful chrysanthemum is another favorite.

All of It

If you’re truly invested in tattooing, you might consider neck tattoos that take up a substancial amount of real estate. For instance, this giant neck tattoo covers the neck and extends down the chest and back. What a stunner!

Sacred Neck Tattoos

The person who shared the image of their tattoo referred to it as a “sacred geometry” design. The tattoo looks like it’s made of thread! This geometric neck tattoo is a blast.

No Matter What

“No matter what,” proves an evocative phrase in this very fine neck tattoo. If you’ve got words of encouragement for yourself and other in mind, consider something similar!

A Peacock

This vividly colored peacock has been met with a tattoo kiss. The shading on the feathers is remarkable.

Veins?

This is a very unique neck tattoo that looks like it could be veins or lightning. We don’t know for certain but who cares? It looks super fresh!

Blue Moon

This romantic crescent moon formed with tiny flowers is certainly light and subtle. We love this delicate design that’s perfect for the back of the neck or even behind an ear.

Aries Energy

Got a thing for rams? Perhaps you are an Aries and want to celebrate your sign. Neck tattoos like this one are one bold way to do so!

Blue Daisy

We’re living for this pastel daisy and its super airy shading. The way the stem fades at the bottom is also a very nice touch. Flowers are popular neck tattoos for a reason! What a dream!

Nightmare on Your Neck

Love Freddy Krueger? Go ahead and get yourself a Nightmare on Elm Street tattoo!

Double Trouble

Dotwork neck tattoos are the greatest! You can get so much detail with this technique. We love these mirrored faces and we’re always down for the stem of a plant being thrown in for good measure.

Huge & Bold

We find a huge chrysanthemum going all the way up the neck with this design. If you’re wanting to make a statement, neck tattoos similar to this one will do it!

To Heel

Someone is a fashionista! We love neck tattoos of everyday objects that are elevated to art. This heel is no exception!

Triple Sevens

Do you have a lucky number? Turn it into a handsome neck tattoo like this one!

Leo Mama

As you’ll see throughout this list, one of the most understated places to get neck tattoos is behind the ear. This zodiac symbol tattoo is for all the Leos out there!

Gorgon

Gorgons like Medusa populate many ancient myths. If you have a love of Greek mythology, consider something similar!

Humming Right Along

This tiny hummingbird tattoo looks like it’s whispering in this woman’s ear! This is a micro tattoo that looks amazing and took a lot of skill to get this size.

Smokey the Bear?

Okay, so this is not Smokey the Bear but it is a bear with smoke! For nature lovers, neck tattoos that reflect a passion for the natural world are wise choices!

Sands of Time

Will she love this tattoo forever? Only time will tell. This hourglass tattoo is fun and looks like something you might find in an illustrated children’s book.

Pretty Peony

As you have seen on this list, neck tattoos of botanical imagery are extremely popular. Go ahead and get your own!

Always On

Okay, so full disclosure, this tattoo is not very subtle. It is rather small and it is really weird. This tattoo was completed using the stick and poke method.

You Got This

Are you brave at heart? You can get yourself a neck tattoo that spells it out for the world to see! Stay strong, folks!

Diamonds Are Forever

These cute little geometric diamonds are not the best we’ve seen, but we wanted to write “diamonds on my neck.” You know what they say: Diamonds are forever and so are tattoos.

Abstract

Back of the neck tattoos are exceedingly popular despite the fact that the people with them can’t see them! Here, we find a marvelous abstract design that looks brilliant.

A Sprig

This small floral-inspired sprig fits nicely just below the ear. For nature lovers, there’s no better way to express your love of the great outdoors than with neck tattoos you love to see when you’re out in nature.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 35 Big, Bold Neck Tattoos We Love But Could Never Pull Off Ourselves

Put a Bird on It

We leave you with this dramatic and delightful bird tattoo that looks anbsolutely out of this world! Pairing orange with black was a smart design choice here as it really does pop!

There you go! We hope you enjoyed these stunning neck tattoos and that you feel inspired to get your very own neck ink. Whether you want to go big or small, there is no wrong way to go about getting your neck tattoo. These tattoos are so highly visible that they can be considered some of the most evocative forms of self-expression. So, show off something that is super meaningful to you and you won’t regret it!