Get The Last Laugh With 23 Jaw-Dropping Joker’s Tattoos
I love a good origin story — especially the ones that make you weirdly sympathetic to people who, uh, probably shouldn’t be role models. The Joker is peak chaotic energy, whether he’s popping off the comic pages or reinventing misery on the big screen. And honestly, his tattoos tell their own little saga. Maybe you want to wear a matching Joker piece with a friend, maybe you want a tiny homage to your favorite actor’s take, or maybe you just want something bold that sparks conversation. Either way, I rounded up a bunch of Joker tattoo ideas to get you thinking (and daydreaming). Let’s dive in.
Show it off: Joker on your hand
Credit: @nahrenink
If you want your ink to literally announce itself, hands are where it’s at. Hand tattoos are for people who enjoy the attention and don’t mind waving their story around. My only real advice? Find an artist who can actually nail the Joker vibe — you want character, not a sad smudge.
Forearm energy: a Joker piece you can flex
Credit: @sahar_needleman.tattoo
Forearms are just so versatile. Thinking about a sleeve later? This is a perfect starting point. You can add all the little movie moments and symbols you love and watch the story grow as you keep getting pieces.
Tucked away: Joker on the inside of your arm
Credit: @corbintattoos
Inside-of-the-arm tattoos feel kind of intimate — like a secret you can choose to share. Whether it’s your first ink or your fiftieth Joker tribute, this placement gives a personal touch without full-on showboating.
Classic panels: comic-book Joker tattoo
Credit: @kt_tattoo
Not into the Joaquin or Jared versions? The comic-book Joker is timeless, and a drawn style can blend with your aesthetic in a way movie realism sometimes can’t. It’s bold, familiar, and totally re-readable depending on how you style it.
Big canvas: Joker on the upper thigh
Credit: @isabella.ink
Thigh tattoos are made for drama. Want a full portrait or a collage of Joker motifs? The upper thigh gives your artist room to breathe, so go big if that’s your mood.
Turn heads: Joker on the back of the leg
Credit: @empireinks
This placement is peekaboo-level interesting. From certain angles it’ll look like a normal leg tattoo, but get people chatting — it’s one of those spots that makes folks ask, "Wait, is that…?" which is honestly the fun part.
Party trick: Joker’s smile on your hand
Credit: @beyondinktattoo
If you want something playful and slightly mischievous, a hand smile is perfect. It’s a little gag, a little homage, and it makes for the best reactions at parties.
A gallery of faces: a sleeve of Joker expressions
Credit: @smileyartla
Obsessed with every twitch and grimace? Build a sleeve out of his expressions. It’s like wearing the movie moments you love on your skin, and each face adds another chapter.
Old-school love: a classic Joker tattoo
Credit: @wade.whitman
There’s something deliciously nostalgic about a comic-book Joker piece. If you grew up on panels and inked dialogue bubbles, this one’s practically made for you.
Go big: another sleeve, this time of Joker tattoos
Credit: @rebelkolors
Sleeves mean freedom. Mix styles, symbols, and versions of Joker — the beauty is, there’s no such thing as too much storytelling when it comes to a full arm.
Newspaper collage: a layered Joker outline
Credit: @adonispr
We’re into the silhouette and collage energy here. When you can’t pick one motif, layering them like cutouts in a sleeve gives that chaotic, curated look that actually reads so cool.
Color pop: a vivid Joker tattoo
Credit: @benytattoos
Want to stop traffic? Go color. Colored tattoos take more time and care, but when done right they bring the Joker’s energy to life in a way black-and-gray just can’t.
Close to the heart: Joker on the chest
Credit: @tattoo.maker
Chest pieces feel intentional and a little dramatic — the kind of tattoo that says, "This matters." Work with your artist and design something that demands respect.
Tiny and fun: a small Joker hand tattoo
Credit: @wildcoyoteco
If you like the idea of Joker energy but not the commitment of a big piece, a small hand tattoo gives you the vibe without breaking the bank or your nerves.
Subtle spot: Joker on the ankle
Credit: @jerink_11
Ankle tattoos are cute and discreet. They’re usually small, they age nicely, and honestly, they’re a chill first-tattoo option if you’re dipping your toes into Joker fandom.
Watercolor vibes: comic Joker on the upper arm
Credit: @zoiotattooartist
Watercolor tattoos let you be expressive and a little wild with color flow. The upper arm is a great place to let those pigments breathe and turn into something unexpectedly beautiful.
Nostalgia nod: Jack Nicholson’s Joker on the back of the leg
Credit: @hikaru.t.t
Jack Nicholson’s Joker is iconic. If his version shaped your childhood, commemorating him with a tattoo somewhere visible-ish is a lovely, nostalgic move.
Show some love: Jared Leto’s Joker on the leg
Credit: @kevin_breno_art
Jared’s Joker was divisive, but divisive can be fierce. If that version stuck with you, a leg portrait is a bold fan flex.
A legend: Heath Ledger’s Joker on the arm
Credit: @martin.misfits
Heath Ledger’s take is one you see again and again — for good reason. If his performance hit you hard, putting that face on your arm is an homage that’s as timeless as it is powerful.
Joaquin Phoenix tribute: upper-arm Joker
Credit: @esperanzainktattoos
Joaquin’s Joker brought a raw, human weight to the character. An upper-arm or shoulder piece can carry that emotional complexity while still looking crisp.
That grin again: Joker’s smile on the inside of the arm
Credit: @inkbox35_tattoo
The smile is the emblem. Combine it with subtle text like a creepy "ha-ha-ha" or keep it minimal — either way, it’s a compact, striking choice.
Can’t choose? Tattoo all the smiles
Credit: @tattooist340
If you love every Joker equally, mash them together. A piece that combines multiple smiles or versions tells a fuller story — and looks wicked cool.
Finish strong: a close-up of Joker’s face
Credit: @christof_groll
Ending on a close-up feels right. When you want that initial, jaw-dropping moment preserved forever, a tight portrait of Joker’s face will do the trick — raw, intense, and unforgettable.
Wrap-Up
Anyway, if you’re thinking about getting Joker ink, consider how visible you want it to be, how much story you want the piece to tell, and who you’re trusting with the needle. Whether you go tiny and cheeky or big and cinematic, there’s a Joker tattoo out there with your name on it. Hit me up if you want help narrowing down a style — I’ll happily give my two cents (and a few unsolicited artist recs).