
Getting a tattoo is a personal experience that involves a lot of decision-making: what to get, what style to get it in, color or black ink only, and of course where to get it done. One place that not everyone considers getting tatted is the knee. Knee tattoos are pretty painful because of the obvious fact that there is a big bone there with not a ton of fat separating it from the skin. But, even though it may require some breaks and hand squeezing, knee tattoos look pretty amazing when they are all finished. People have gotten them done in all different styles. Some brave souls have even gotten both of their knees inked.
Two designs that seem to be especially popular when it comes to knee tattoos are flowers and mandalas. These tend to play into the roundness of the kneecap. Other designs that can have this effect include suns, faces, or a hot air balloon. Another way to play with the placement is to use the bottom or top curve of the kneecap. This has been done with designs that involves wings: an eagle, a bat, and a butterfly. One person even used the kneecap for the vocal sac of a frog by using negative space. When placed in a creative way, these tattoos can give the illusion of movement, because they are being placed on a joint. There are definitely a lot of unique designs that can be done on knees. So for those who are willing to tolerate the pain, we totally support it! These 20 knee tattoos are edgy, cool, and they make us want to get one and wear shorts year-'round.
SUN KNEE TATTOO

This gorgeous sun design has a really cool sketched look. We love the contrast of the bold outline with the warm patches of color.
RED ROSE KNEE TATTOO

This red rose is a really gorgeous statement piece. The neo traditional style of this bold design is very striking.
HOT AIR BALLOON KNEE TATTOO

This hot air balloon really plays into the roundness of the knee. It's very clean and precise as well.
BEES KNEES TATTOO

This quirky and fun design is inspired by the phrase "the bee's knees." It is super cute and the contrasting colors really pop.
BUTTERFLY KNEE TATTOO

This blue butterfly has kind of a realistic look. The placement looks amazing and so do all of the little details.
BAT KNEE TATTOO

This bat tattoo also does a good job of playing into the shape of the knee. Because bats are often associated with nighttime and vampires, this is a cool tattoo for those who enjoy spooky things.
PEONY KNEE TATTOO

This blossoming peony tattoo is delicate and beautiful. It's positioned more to the side of the kneecap, which worked really well with this design.
CHEETAH KNEE TATTOO

This cheetah face is a cool idea. We like how the fall leaves fit into the color scheme and it all looks cohesive.
SUNFLOWER KNEE TATTOO

Flowers seem to work really well as knee tattoos. This vibrant sunflower has a very cheerful vibe and a lot of great detail.
BRANCH KNEE TATTOO

This leafy branch is a very pretty nature tattoo. The way it wraps around the leg gives it some "movement."
SKELETON HEART KNEE TATTOO

Another good one for those who like a creepier tattoo aesthetic is this heart made with skeleton hands. It has sort of a Halloween vibe.
MANDALA KNEE TATTOO

This stunning mandala design was completed with the dot method — which gives it great depth and detail. It looks so cool with her ripped jeans.
POKÉMON KNEE TATTOO

This is Pumpkaboo, for those who didn't collect Pokémon cards as a kid. Pumpkaboo is a ghost Pokémon, so this is also a cool tattoo idea for someone obsessed with Halloween.
JEWEL KNEE TATTOO

This large jeweled heart is giving me sailor moon vibes! The coloring really brings it to life. It's stunning!
MARIO KNEE TATTOO

Video game fans may want to consider something like this awesome Mario knee tattoo. He has a little bit of an evil face going on, which gives it some extra personality.
PINEAPPLE KNEE TATTOO

How sweet is this pineapple knee tattoo?! It's so clean and well done. Also, pineapples can serve as a symbol for hospitality and friendship.
EAGLE KNEE TATTOO

This eagle's wings play into the bottom curve of the kneecap. The details and shading of the bird are incredible.
FROG KNEE TATTOO

This frog ink is very creative. By using the negative space of the kneecap as the frog's vocal sac, it creates a dramatic effect that is sure to catch people's attention.
MICKEY & MINNIE KNEE TATTOOS

Disney fans will love this idea! These adorable Mickey and Minnie kneecaps match perfectly in style.
TRAIN KNEE TATTOO

This train knee tattoo almost looks like it's coming atcha. The line work and placement go together really well to give it some dimension.