A devil tattoo wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea right away. This creature has always been shown as something sinister and evil, so why would anyone want that permanently on their skin? But hear me out — people get inked for all kinds of reasons. Maybe you want to show rebellion, lean into your darker humor, or mark the way you wrestle with the parts of yourself that don’t fit neatly into a neat little box.
Below are a bunch of devil-y ideas to spark something personal. Most of them lean on that classic red-horned image we all think of first, but there’s room here for subtlety, humor, tradition, and totally unique takes. I hope you find one that feels like a little snapshot of who you are right now — fierce, funny, complicated, or all three.
Moody black-and-gray devil vibes
Credit: @davide.mancini
So black-and-gray? Timeless. There’s something low-key powerful about using only black ink — thick outlines, little line details for depth, not a lot of fluff. In this one you might even glance and think it’s just a skull until you catch the horns and fangs; that subtle twist is what sells it. It reads moody, classic, and a little dangerous without shouting.
Credit: @taesin___
There’s no heavy shading here — just clever linework that gives shape and attitude. If you want something that hints at the underworld but stays elegant, this is the vibe.
Devils that actually make me laugh
Credit: @hunterdeantattoos
If you think the devil would have a killer sense of humor, you’re not wrong. Funny devil tattoos are the best when they balance mischief and charm — saturated reds, playful expressions, and little scenes that make you grin. One of these has the devil all bright and bold, with shading that makes him pop, and the whole piece just feels delightfully naughty.
Credit: @neeko_low
Think of cheeky reminders like “Ain’t no rest for the wicked” — funny and motivating in a weird way. Or imagine a tiny devil perched on a block of cheese (yes, really) — it says so much about your personality without being dramatic.
Credit: @justangie.v
You can even get something drawn by a kid and tattoo it exactly — those imperfect lines are honest, personal, and kind of the sweetest rebellious statement.
Credit: @stephenltattoo
Credit: @bobotattoo_rc
Old-school, traditional devil tattoos
Credit: @isasantanatattoo
Traditional style is all about thick outlines and saturated color, and a devil done this way hits differently. Some of these pieces even show unexpected details — like a woman with little devils sprouting from her head — which makes the image feel like a story instead of just a motif. Go darker with your palette and it becomes moodier and more meaningful.
Credit: @andresinkman
The rich reds and heavy shading in some of these make the figure feel three-dimensional, not just a flat splash of color. And if you want something more involved, there are full-body devils with tons of little details — like wine pouring or symbolic elements — that read like a mini-painting.
Credit: @darylwatsontattoo
Credit: @spottitattoo
Tiny baby devil tattoos (adorably evil)
Credit: @vuducats
Okay, baby devils are a whole mood. They’re cute, they’re a little blasphemous, and they’re perfect for someone who wants irony in their ink. These designs keep things readable with minimal shading, bright red suits, tiny horns and wings, and just enough attitude to be hilarious.
Credit: @laluztattoo
Some look sweet and in love; others are stomping-angry little devils. A smart designer can use thick outlines and just the right cheek color to make the belly area read realistic, which gives the whole piece so much charm.
Credit: @ellenmellon.tattoos
Credit: @vuducats
Satanic-inspired pieces (if you want darker energy)
Credit: @reiinku
If you lean toward something more traditionally sinister, there are some strong Satanic designs here. Think goat heads, pentagrams, and deeply shadowed faces — sometimes split across two parts that form one whole when you put your hands together. It becomes almost ceremonial.
Credit: @businessforsatan
Big pieces like this aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay. Some are almost sculptural with heavy blacks and gray shading and a few crisp white highlights that make the eyes or certain lines glow. Others mix in surreal touches — a little girl whispering to Satan while he crosses his fingers in a tiny blazer — and somehow it’s both creepy and strangely sweet.
Credit: @presotto.tattoo
If you want something simple, a pentagram with a goat head in the center says exactly what you mean without fuss.
Credit: @roger_chenpin
Credit: @kkdelucastattoo
Offbeat and unique devil designs
Credit: @koblindeadman
If you don’t want a cookie-cutter devil, there are so many creative directions. Picture two devils dancing around a sun — the contrast between black and red ink makes the composition pop. Or imagine a devil cat with red fur, wings, and tiny teeth; it’s adorable and wicked at once.
Credit: @rightinthetrash
You can get ritual-themed pieces with a pentagram backdrop and a woman in the center, which reads symbolic and mysterious, or you can go minimal and get just a devil’s hand — bright red, with yellow veins and a pentagram stamped into the palm — which somehow says everything without needing a full figure.
Credit: @soniadei
Some designs even play with gender and form — a feminine devil with soft black-and-gray shading and tiny pink accents can flip the whole narrative on its head. That little pop of pink makes it unexpectedly tender.
Credit: @yagerbomb.tattooer
Credit: @_catnoname
Wrap-Up
Anyway, whether you want something tiny and silly, big and terrifying, or quietly symbolic, there’s a devil tattoo for that mood. If one of these stuck with you, save it, tweak it with your artist, and make it yours. And if you end up getting one, promise you’ll send a pic — I want to see how you make the darkness look beautiful.