Best Friend Tattoo Ideas: Matching Tattoos For Friends

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Best friends are like family, but even more special because you choose them. You and your best friend have been by each other’s side through the good and the bad times. Life is better with your best friend in it. So why not celebrate this special friendship? 

In this article, we share with you best friend tattoo ideas. Matching tattoos for friends have grown in popularity and it is a sweet way to show someone that you love them so much you want something on your body to remind you of them 24/7. It’s a way of saying, “Hey, our friendship is going to last just as long as tattoos do—a lifetime!”

There are various best friend tattoo ideas; some small and simple, others a little larger and more intricate. 

Here are 20 best friend tattoo ideas to solidify your bond with your friend. 

1. Small BFF Tattoos 

The tattoo you and your best friend decide to get doesn’t need to be huge—even a tiny little tattoo can signify the huge love you two have for each other. There’s nothing wrong with going small, especially if it’s your first tattoo; not only is it less painful, but it will be less hard on your budget. If you decide to go for a mini BFF tattoo, keep the design simple and in black. 

Think of something the two of you have in common and work from there. Initials, the date you met, your favorite movie or TV show to watch together are only some of the things you can consider for this tattoo.

2. Trio of Best Friends Tattoos

If you’re lucky enough to have two and not just one best friend it should definitely be honoured. Since you’re three, you can incorporate the number itself into the tattoo. If that is too simplistic, how about getting artistic and combining all of your initials into a great-looking symbol?

Trees are especially popular as friend tattoos since they symbolize growth, protection, wisdom, and more appropriately, eternity. You can keep the trees matching or switch them up in some way to personalize it somewhat. Maybe let your names twirl around to form the branches? 

best friend tattoo

3. Cute Tattoos 

Cute tattoos will never go out of fashion, especially not if you have a sweet story to go with it. If you and your friend are playful in nature, then a cute tattoo is the ideal way to represent your special friendship

Better yet, if you two met while you were young and watched the same cartoon, you can get your favorite character as a tattoo to remind you not only of your friend but that time in your life. There are tons of adorable tattoos you can pick and choose from—it all depends on you and your friend’s personalities.

4. Quote Tattoos

The options are endless when it comes to choosing a quote as a tattoo to honour a friendship. It can be a quote from a book, a line from your favorite movie, lyrics from a song you both like—as long as it has meaning to you two it is a good choice. 

You can get the same quote or tattoo the first half of it on one person and the second half on the other. Splitting the quote makes it extra endearing since the quote will only be complete once you are together.

5. Matching Best Friend Tattoo

A lot of the tattoo ideas listed in this article can either be used as matching tattoos or adapted to suit you and your friend. When it comes to matching BFF tattoos, however, it’s super important that the final design suits both of you and is something you both like and can live with for the rest of your lives. 

Matching tattoos are a great way to show that you have a similar outlook when it comes to the world.

6. Symbols

When it comes to symbols, it is crucial that you do your research. There are hundreds of symbols out there, all with different meanings— it won’t be difficult to find a symbol that resonates with both of you. Of course, the fact that there are so many symbols out there leaves a lot of room for error. If you don’t do your due diligence, you may end up with a tattoo meaning something entirely different than you originally thought. 

As always, choose a tattoo that both of you like. For example, if you both consider yourself minimalist, then a double triangle—one pointing up and one pointing down—may be just the right choice to symbolize your friendship

 best friend tattoo ideas

7. Sun and Moon Tattoos 

Some friends are complete opposites yet some parts of their personalities still complement each other. If this is the case, then getting a sun and a moon best friend tattoo is a great idea. 

The sun is often associated with people who are more extroverted and outgoing, while the moon relates to the quiet and introverted types. However, both night and day are vital to the existence of the world and so is the togetherness of you and your best friend. 

A sun and moon tattoo signifies that the differences between the two of you create a perfect balance in your friendship.

8. Simple BFF Tattoos 

If you have an easy-going friendship, maybe an unpretentious tattoo design is all you need to celebrate your friendship. Sometimes the power of a tattoo lies in its simplicity. 

Choosing something as straightforward as your initials, lines, dots, or a geometric shape can be a subtle link between best friends. Even a religious symbol can work if you both share the same faith. Place simple tattoos on your wrist, hand, or fingers where you will always be able to see them.

9. Heart Tattoos

Need we say more? Hearts are one of the most popular tattoo designs for a reason. No matter where you come from, when you see a heart, you know it means love and affection—and not just romantically. 

Heart tattoos are actually very versatile as they can easily be customized. Do you like flowers? Make a heart out of stems, leaves, and petals! What about a watercolor splash heart? Or one in the shape of a diamond? There truly is no better way to display the love you have for a friend than with a best friend matching tattoo in the shape of a heart.

best friend tattoo designs

10. Guy and Girl BFF Tattoo Ideas

This list wouldn’t be complete if we include best friends tattoos for those of the opposite sex. There’s no rule that says someone can only be your BFF if they’re the same sex as you! 

The only thing to aim for when you select a tattoo for guy and girl best friends is to choose something that doesn’t look too romantic. You want people to know that you’re friends, not a couple. This may be difficult and maybe it’s best to go the cute route or to find something you both share an interest in. 

Harry Potter fans? Why not get a tattoo of the house you two think you’ll be in? Or even something as simple as a lightning bolt! There really are tons of options, so don’t feel left out if your best friend happens to be from the opposite sex.

Final Thoughts 

Having a best friend is a blessing. When you have someone special enough in your life who you’re willing to get a tattoo with, deciding on a design can be difficult. That being said, it should still be fun! 

Your imagination is your only limitation when it comes to best friend tattoo ideas. For example, if you both like animals, you can research animals that signify friendship and go from there. An elephant is a perfect example of an animal tattoo that symbolizes friendship. You can even work in your initials or names into the tattoo to personalize it even more.

In the end, the only thing that matters is deciding on a tattoo that all that are involved like and want on their bodies for the rest of their lives.

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