Guide · 20 designs
Friendship and Matching Tattoos: Ideas Best Friends Will Still Like in Ten Years
Good friendship tattoos are small, simple and meaningful to both people: the same symbol worn identically, a pair that differs in one detail (colour, initial, direction), or a classic friendship symbol such as two birds, an anchor, a knot or a pair of hearts. The safest designs look complete on each person alone.
IIdentical pairs
Same design, same size, often the same placement - the simplest way to match.
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traditional · forearmBest Friend Guy Tattoo Ideas: A Guide to Brotherly InkTwo anchors on two forearms, the same design mirrored - steadiness, each for the other.
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old-school · armMeaningful Matching Tattoos: Styles, Symbolism & InspirationMatching ornamental flowers on two forearms, linework only.
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illustrative · backBest Friend Tattoos: Designs & Inspiration for Your Back ArmA mandala and a pendant ornament on two forearms - same style, different pieces.
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blackwork · fingerFinger Tattoo Ideas for Friends: A Guide to Macabre BondsSkulls on the backs of both hands - for friends who like it dark.
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tribal · handBest Friend Tattoos for Females on Hand: Meaning & InspirationDense hand ornaments meeting at the fingertips.
IIPairs with one difference
The same frame or motif with each person's initial or colour keeps the set personal.
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illustrativeMatching Tattoo Ideas for Friends: A Historical GuideTwo floral frames, one initial in each.
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traditionalMatching Tattoos: A Guide to Shared Meaning & Design IdeasTwo anchors in red and blue - one colour each.
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Matching Tattoo Ideas for Friends: A Guide to Connection & DesignTwo ornamental pieces, one with a face, one abstract - a set that does not have to look identical.
IIITiny and simple
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minimalist · fingerBest Friend Matching Finger Tattoos: Ideas & InspirationTiny symbols on the fingers of two hands. Finger ink fades fast - expect touch-ups.
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minimalistBest Friend Tattoos for Guys & Girls: Meaningful DesignsTwo small hearts on the wrist.
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minimalistSmall Best Friend Tattoos: Meaningful Designs & InspirationAn infinity sign - the simplest forever.
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minimalist · wristTiny Tattoo Ideas for Best Friends: Meaningful & Minimalist DesignsA small lotus pair on the wrist.
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minimalist · wristSmall Partner Tattoo Ideas: A Guide to Friendship & ConnectionTwo stick figures holding hands, single line.
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illustrative · wristSmall Matching Tattoos: A Guide to Shared Ink & Meaningful DesignsTwo figures standing close, fine line.
IVFriendship symbols
Birds in pairs, roots and flowers are the classic friendship images; the symbol sheet below collects many of them.
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illustrativeSymbolic Friendship: Tattoo Ideas & InterpretationsA sheet of friendship symbols - knots, hearts, birds - from the site's most visited friendship symbols page.
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old-school · wristMeaningful Best Friend Tattoo Ideas: A Vintage GuideTwo swallows in flight, traditional colour.
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illustrativeBest Friend Quotes Tattoo Ideas: A Guide to Friendship InkTwo lovebirds touching beaks.
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illustrative · armBest Friend Tattoo Ideas for Women: A Botanical GuideTwo rose stems twisting into a heart.
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Tattoo Ideas for Two Best Friends: Botanical Bonds & Shared StoriesA tree with intertwined trunk and wide roots.
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illustrative · wristCool Best Friend Tattoo Ideas: A Botanical GuidePink flowers on an entwined stem.
VAgree on three things first
Would you each get it alone? If one of you is only doing it for the other, choose something else. Where and how big? Matching does not have to mean identical placement; let each person choose what suits their body and work. What if the friendship changes? A design that means something to you personally - a symbol, not a name - survives better.
VIQuestions people ask
What symbol represents friendship in tattoos?
Two birds, an anchor, interlocking hearts or knots, a shared flower, or a Celtic knot. Two halves of one design are popular too.
What are good tattoos for a guy and a girl who are best friends?
Something neutral in style: anchors, simple symbols, coordinates of a place you share, or the same small design in different sizes.