75 Back Tattoos For Men: Epic Ideas & Inspiration

Written by Finlay Mead

Are you thinking of turning your back into a large canvas for a great tattoo? That’s a good way to make your body a piece of art – literally. Back tattoos for men have always been trending. Whether it’s something small, large, tribal, or any other model, there’s no doubt that back tattoos look great on men. 

The cool thing about back tattoos is that you can choose any model you want. Due to the large, straight surface, the back serves as a great area for any piece of art. Besides, there’s plenty of space to add a big and complex design. 

However, back tattoos – especially large ones – can take a long time to complete. So, you need to be patient, but you must also choose your design carefully. Remember that this is a great opportunity for you to express your personality and end up with a unique piece of art on your skin. 

If you’re looking for some ideas for your back tattoo, researching the most popular options may help you get some inspiration. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best back tattoos for men in 2023. Let’s get started!

Full Back Tattoos

Full back tattoos are your most expensive option, but they are worth it, especially if you’re a fan of art pieces with plenty of details. These tattoos can be anything – they can represent landscapes, daily scenes, abstract art, or anything else that suits your fancy. Because they are big and detailed, these art pieces often stand out.

Portrait Back Tattoos

A portrait tattoo is an amazing choice for every man – especially if you have a large, muscular back that provides a perfect canvas for the artist. You can add anyone’s portrait, whether we’re talking about your children, other family members, fictional characters, celebrities, and others.

Simple Back Tattoos

Even if you have a large back, it’s not a rule that you need to get a complex art piece to cover the entire surface. Even smaller, simpler tattoos can make an impact. For example, you can add one simple design to your shoulder blade or multiple simple designs to scatter on various areas of your back. You can keep the tattoo black and white, but since it’s a simple design, you can enhance it with some colors.

Wings Back Tattoo

Although wing tattoos may seem like something that is more common in women, they are spiritual pieces, and they are popular among men too. Wing tattoos can either represent something more angelic, or you can go the other side and make them look more devilish. Sometimes, men also choose them because they praise the Viking culture.

Dragon Back Tattoo

What’s cooler than a dragon tattoo? Since your back offers such a large surface, you can opt for a truly spectacular model. Because these mystical creatures are so unique, they can be added to all sorts of designs, making them extremely flexible. To make things even better, they work well both as small and large tattoos.

Tribal Back Tattoos

Tribal back tattoos for men are so popular that you certainly know someone who has one. These pieces have been popular for decades. Because they have no straight lines, they can embrace the curves of your back wonderfully, with their unique shapes making great statements.

Half-Sleeve and Back Tattoos

Why not go for something more interesting that makes the design flow nicely between your back and arm? The back and half-sleeve tattoo is a pretty interesting and popular design idea. It not only covers your upper arm and part of your back, but it also gives you the chance to extend it later on if you want to.

Small Bird Back Tattoos

Birds seem to be a popular choice for many people who get tattoos – men included. They symbolize freedom and travel. So, if you appreciate these two qualities and passions, getting a bird tattooed on your back will certainly get the message across.

Compass Back Tattoos

There’s no doubt that compass tattoos look great. They look amazing in many places, but the upper back is one of the most popular choices for this model. More often than not, it is seen in people who have an attraction to the sea, but also sailors, fishermen, and navy officers.

Skull Back Tattoos

Many men who get inked have one particular type of tattoo somewhere on their body – a skull. Now, if you don’t have yours yet, here’s your chance to get it. A skull on your back can not only look rebellious but also symbolize overcoming life’s struggles.

Neck and Back Tattoos

Chances are that when you get a tattoo, you want something that will be visible to others. A great piece that doesn’t require taking your shirt off for visibility is the back and neck tattoo, which is a trend growing in popularity day by day. It can include different models, such as animals, patterns, and more. Even the dragon design we mentioned above would look great as a back and neck tattoo.

Phoenix Back Tattoos

We all know that phoenix back tattoos for men symbolize rebirth. If you went through difficult times and you felt like you were born again after overcoming those obstacles, a huge phoenix back tattoo can be a wonderful way to represent your success. You can make it red for extra dramatism and a splash of color.

Cross Back Tattoos

Are you a religious man? If that’s the case, there’s no better way to represent your faith than by getting a cross inked on your back. Men who live by faith have many options to choose from. They can go with a simple, plain cross, or add Bible verses or even Jesus on the cross.

Upper Back Tattoos

Especially if you’re getting your first tattoo, you do not have to commit to something that covers the whole back area. You can cover the upper back only. This is great for a meaningful tattoo, but also interesting shapes and patterns, especially considering how flat and smooth this area is.

Snake Back Tattoos

Snakes are common tattoo designs in both men and women. Because they are long and flexible, snakes can be drawn in all sorts of positions on your back. For instance, you can cover the entire spine with a cool snake, or get a smaller snake piece in the middle.

Angel Back Tattoos

There are various reasons why men would choose angel tattoos. For some, an angel is a way to represent the times they survived difficult or life-threatening situations. For others, it’s a way to represent their faith and love for God.

Japanese Back Tattoos

Japanese back tattoos for men are classic pieces of art in the industry, and what makes them so great is that they can incorporate all sorts of elements and colors. If you love these designs, you can cover your whole back with them, and you’ll surely impress anyone with this huge design.

Quote Back Tattoos

Sometimes, the best way to represent something is by tattooing a meaningful quote on your body. Quotes look great on your back, regardless of the placement. And if you want a special font, the back has enough space available to show off all those details.

Nature Back Tattoos

Whether you have a special place in your heart for certain countries or you simply appreciate a nice mountain landscape, you have the opportunity to carry one with you forever. Since these pieces include many details, they fit perfectly on your back. They can even include symbols that represent you, like birds, forests, and others.

Spine Back Tattoos

You may have noticed that spine back tattoos have gained traction in recent years, even for men. The spine can be painful, but if you have good pain tolerance, you will end up with a cool design. Later, you can even extend this piece to other back areas if you want to.

Music Back Tattoos

If you’re a musician or if you love music to the point that it has changed your life, your back can be the perfect canvas for a big musical piece. The tattoo can include musical instruments, notes, or even song lyrics.

Eagle Back Tattoos

Eagles are also common elements in back tattoos, and these birds are known as fierce and powerful, as well as for their ability to hunt. On your back, eagles can symbolize not only that you’re a strong individual, but also that you’re a patriot.

Lion Back Tattoos

The lion is considered the king of the jungle. As a strong and confident man, a lion tattoo on your back can tell the world everything about you. Not to mention that it will look incredible on your back, especially when you want to enhance your masculinity.

Wolf Back Tattoos

Wolves are frequently drawn on people’s bodies in ink. These animals are strong and loyal, and they live in packs. Whether you want to show your strength or love for your family, a wolf on your back is the best way to do so.

3D Back Tattoos

3D tattoos can create cool illusions, and regardless of the design you choose, they will leave an impression on anyone who sees them. 3D back tattoos for men grab people’s attention and can make your body look cooler.

Frequently asked questions about back tattoos

Final Thoughts

There are many back tattoos for men that are popular in 2023. Use the ideas in this article for some inspiration and make sure you choose a design that you will not regret later on.

Check out the best men’s tattoo ideas.