What are half-sleeve tattoos?

Half-sleeve tattoos are tattoo patterns that cover either the entire forearm or the upper arm. A half-sleeve tattoo is a more conservative form of a full-sleeve tattoo, which covers the entire arm from wrist to shoulder.

Half-sleeve and full-sleeve tattoos are often designed as single pieces that convey different ideas or tell a story. Occasionally, half-sleeve tattoos are the seeming connection of different, possibly unrelated tattoos that were acquired over time. Many people get half-sleeve tattoos because they are much easier to cover up, especially if they are on the upper arm, in workplaces or social settings where tattoos are not accepted.