A Comprehensive, Not-at-All-Unhinged Guide to All 40+ of Harry Styles’s Tattoos
Much like the Louvre, Harry Styles’s body is decorated in priceless works of art (read: tattoos), replicas of which you can buy at elite design stores (read: Etsy fan shops). Sure, some might incorrectly claim his “ink” is just a series of incomprehensible drawings that make literally no sense. But they’d be wrong. Because if you take a moment to actually dive into the meaning behind Harry’s tattoos, you’d know that they all make complete sense. And I say this as someone who may or may not have purchased a Harry Styles temporary tattoo pack, not to mention a Harry Styles tattoo replica sweatshirt. It’s fine! I’m fine!
While Harry spends a lot of time shirtless in leather jackets, not all of his permanent body doodles are visible for the world to see. However, due to the sheer number of sheer shirts this angel of a human wears, we’ve had a pretty good look at his tattoo collection and gone ahead and rounded them all up for you to gaze at on this fine summer day. Because, honestly, what else is there to do during the time you *should* be working besides clicking through several dozen photos of Harry Styles, right? It's our civic duty as journalists, after all.
P.S. Please be advised that some of these pictures are slightly blurry. Which is kinda just what happens when you zoom in super close on random parts of Harry Styles’ body in the name of journalism, what can I say?!
"A" and "G" on His Shoulders
These tats on his shoulders happen to be the initials of his mom Anne and sister Gemma.
"Olivia" Smack in the Middle of His Thigh
If you zoom in on H's visible leg here, you'll notice he has "Olivia" tattooed in a pretty curly font. This could be an ode to the One Direction song of the same name (okay, taste), but fans have speculated the tat on Harry's thigh was actually inked in ex Olivia Wilde's honor while they were still together. Perhaps we'll see another cover-up in the near future? 😬
"Careless Whisper" on His Ankles and "Big" on His Big Toe
Harry seemingly has a tribute to George Michael tattooed on his ankles. As for his toe tat, Harry spilled that he has a few "stupid" tattoos—including the word "big" on his big toe—on The Late Late Show With James Corden in 2015.
"Brasil!" on His Hip
It's not pictured here, but Harry revealed the ink during a May 2014 performance in Rio de Janeiro.
The “A” in the Crook of His Arm
Apparently, it’s a shout-out to his mom, Anne Twist. Yep, Harry is a mama’s boy.
“Can I Stay”
Otherwise known as the words that’ll come out of my mouth if I ever find myself alone in a room with Harry Styles.
This Cute Cookie and Star
You’re currently getting an up-close-and-personal look at the upper underside of Harry’s arm. Here, you’ll find a star, which was actually his first-ever tat. Some fans think is a shout-out to One Direction due to the five points. And see that little kinda-acorn-looking thing next to it? That’s actually an “iced gem” cookie in honor of Harry’s sister, Gemma.
This Casual “G”
Why, yes, that is the Green Bay Packers logo! And why, yes, Harry did get it after losing a bet.
(P.S. He also has the words “don’t stop ’til we surrender” tattooed on his arm, but it’s almost entirely faded at this point—much like any hope of 1D reuniting.)
"Won't Stop 'Till We Surrender" Under the Packers Logo
This ink was already pretty faded in this pic from 2014, so it's probably entirely gone at this point.
“Gemma” in Hebrew
How many tattoos does your brother have dedicated to you? Oh, wait, none. Thanks for nothing, Cody*!
*Seemed like a good imaginary-brother name, IDK.
“Hi”
No idea why Harry has this tattoo, but I can only assume he’s desperately trying to say hi to me, personally.
These Kinda Scary Nails
These nails mysteriously showed up in 2013 with zero explanation and have been lurking ominously next to Harry’s armpit ever since.
This Very Blurry Thigh Tat
You may have noticed a giant blob in this picture of Harry wearing a tutu. Turns out, it’s a tiger’s face. In case it’s been bothering you!!!
“17Black”
This is 007’s lucky bet when he’s gambling, and speaking of, am I alone in thinking Harry would be a good James Bond? Just putting it out there in case the universe wants us to manifest it.
“1957”
Hello and welcome to the year Harry’s dad was born, forever etched on his right shoulder!
“1967”
Hello and welcome to the year Harry’s mom was born, forever etched on his left shoulder!
This Anchor
So Harry used to have a tattoo here that said “I can’t change,” but apparently, he can change because dude got it covered with a giant anchor.
“You Booze You Lose”
Agree, unless it’s spiked hot chocolate, in which case you are clearly winning.
This Massive Butterfly
No idea what’s up with this resplendent insect, but I’m here for it. And while we’re at it, Harry also has two fern leaves inked on his lower abdomen. Tragically, this picture isn’t, um, cropped low enough.
BUT THIS ONE IS!
Hi, ferns. 👀
A Teeny Cross
How very Justin Bieber of him!
This Cute Guitar
In case you didn’t notice due to being too distracted by half-naked Harry Styles, your main man has a tiny guitar tattooed on his back.
These Clasping Hands
Who knows what Harry was going for, but clasped hands are traditionally a symbol of equality. Love that for his arm!!!!
This Coat Hanger
Again, unclear what this coat hanger means to Harry, but the tattoo is often associated with the pro-choice movement. Not saying this is what Harry intended, but it’s certainly the prevailing symbolism.
An Anatomical Heart
Unconfirmed, but rumor has it that you gave your heart to Harry Styles and now it’s lurking on his arm.
“Jackson”
Harry got this one tattooed in honor of his baby godson back in 2017.
This Itsy-Bitsy Baby Key
Try not to freak out, but Louis Tomlinson has this same key tattooed on his ankle. I’m 😭.
“Late Late”
Poor Harry once again lost a bet, this time on The Late Late Show. And now he has a permanent reminder right under his (tattoo) heart.
A BB Padlock
So apparently, Ed Sheeran tattooed this padlock on Harry’s arm back in 2012. I have…so many questions, but mostly WHY?
A Cage, Some Masks, and “SMCL”
Unclear what the birdcage and theater masks represent, but!!! Fans think “SMCL” stands for Simon Cowell, who catapulted One Direction to fame.
A hot Mermaid
In response to being asked why he got this mermaid tattoo, Harry simply mused, “I am a mermaid.” Okay! Also, nestled next to this tattoo is the letter “R,” which is apparently in honor of Harry’s stepfather Robin Twist.
“NY,” “LA,” “LON”
Kinda hard to see it through Harry’s billowing blouse, but our dude has a tribute to his three favorite cities on his shoulder: New York, Los Angeles, and London.
“Pingu”
Confused? Cool, same. Turns out, Pingu was a BBC kids show that both Harry and Ed Sheeran were big fans of, so they decided to get matching tattoos. Ed has an actual picture of Pingu the Penguin on his arm, while Harry has Pingu’s name right next to his armpit hair.
A Blooming Rose
If you google “Harry Styles rose tattoo,” the theory is that this has something to do with Taylor Swift. Just saying!
A Small Shamrock
Just a casual tribute to L.A.’s Shamrock Social Club Tattoo Parlor, one of Harry’s faves. You can also see a somewhat faded “99p” etched under Harry’s watch—which fans think means “99 pence.”
“Arlo”
Not sure what this one means, but I’m willing to get it tattooed on my body in solidarity.
A SHIP ON WHICH TO SAIL INTO MY HEART
Harry got this ship to remind him of home, allegedly saying, “We’re always on the road but my heart is at home and I want a ship.”
“Silver Spoon”
No clue what this means, because despite my many requests on 1D forums, Harry hasn’t chimed in with a response. But fans speculate it has something to do with Harry’s massive success.
A Skeleton in a Suit
Apparently, this haunted ol’ bag o’ bones showed up on Harry’s arm in 2013. So weird that he has a portrait of me!
Some hot Swallows
Harry got these birds in 2012, telling Us Weekly, “I like that kind of style of tattoos, like the old sailor kind of tattoos. They symbolize traveling, and we travel a lot!”
These Crosses Next to His Swallows
Or are they music notes? Honestly, I need a magnifying glass.
“Things I Can”
Awkward, but Harry no longer has this tattoo. Please, a moment of silence.
"Things I Can't"
H also had "Things I Can't" tattooed on his other arm, but he ended up covering it up later.
His Eagle Cover-Up
Harry covered “Things I Can” with this majestic eagle, the meaning of which remains a mystery. He later added “Mary” above the tattoo, which fans think is a tribute to his grandmother.
Um, This Bible
Harry also had a “Things I Can’t” tattoo, which he covered up with this very casual HOLY BIBLE.
The Inked-In Heart
Harry has a large heart that's filled-in with black ink on the upper part of his left arm. TBH, it looks phenom with his 'fit, so we're not mad about it.
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