Tattoo Pricing Calculator
- Supplies
- Overhead
- Your time
- Profit
Round to a clean figure and quote it as an estimate if the session could run long.
Turn this into a quote
A one-page PDF for your customer, filled in from the numbers above. Your markup isn't shown.
How the tattoo pricing calculation works
Count design and setup hours too
Drawing, stencils and setup take time too. 3 hours of tattooing plus 1 hour of design is 4 hours to pay for.
Multiply by your hourly rate
4 hours at $100 is $400 for your time. Pick the rate you want to earn, then check it against what clients in your area pay.
Add supplies and a share of overhead
$35 of supplies and $40 toward booth rent, sterilization and insurance bring the cost to $475.
Add profit and check the minimum
15% on $475 gives $546.25. If the result is below your shop minimum, charge the minimum.
Worked example. A 3-hour piece with 1 hour of design, $35 of supplies, a $40 overhead share and a $100 hourly rate costs $475. With 15% profit the price is $546.25, so you earn $117.81 for each of the 4 hours.
Tattoo Pricing FAQ
How much should I charge for a tattoo?
Add your supplies, your hours at your hourly rate and a share of overhead, then add profit. The calculator does this and never goes below your shop minimum.
How do tattoo artists price by size?
Many quote small pieces at a flat rate and larger ones by the hour. Estimate the hours a size takes you and enter them here, so size pricing still covers your time.
Should I charge for design time?
Your design hours cost you time either way. Include them here, or charge them as a separate drawing fee or deposit.
What is a typical tattoo shop minimum?
Shop minimums vary widely by city and artist. Set yours to cover setup, supplies and cleanup for the smallest job you take.
How much does a tattoo cost?
It depends on how long the piece takes and the artist's hourly rate, plus supplies and the shop's overhead. With this page's defaults, 3 hours of tattooing and 1 hour of design at $100 an hour, $35 of supplies, a $40 overhead share and 15% profit come to $546.25. Change the inputs to match your own rate and time.
How much is a small tattoo?
Small pieces often end up at the shop minimum. For example, half an hour of tattooing with $15 of supplies and a $10 overhead share works out to $86.25 at a $100 rate and 15% profit, so a $100 minimum applies instead.
Does the price include a tip?
No. The calculator gives the price you charge. In the US many clients choose to tip their artist on top, but customs vary and a tip is up to the client, so do not count on it when you set your rate.
What hourly rate do tattoo artists charge?
Rates differ a lot by region, style and experience. Ask nearby shops or look at published rates, then use this calculator to check your price covers your costs.