Every service draws the line in a different place, and the Army line moved in 2022 — which is why so much of what you will read is out of date. Army Directive 2022-09 now allows one visible tattoo up to an inch on each hand including the palm, unlimited tattoos between the fingers, a two-inch tattoo on the back of the neck and a one-inch tattoo behind each ear, on top of the ring tattoo AR 670-1 already permitted. Content is a separate question: extremist, obscene and gang-associated markings are banned anywhere on the body in every service, and covering one with makeup or a bandage to pass inspection is itself prohibited.
| Branch | Controlling publication | Dated | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army | ARMY DIR 2022-09 Current Controlling: the 2022 placement relaxation | 2022-06-22 | Official link |
| Army | AR 670-1 Current Underlying reg; not yet revised to match ⚠ partly amended by ARMY DIR 2023-01, ARMY DIR 2022-09 | 2021-01-26 | Official link |
| Air Force | DAFI 36-2903 Current Bars head, face, tongue, lips, eyes and scalp | 2024-02-29 | Official link |
| Marine Corps | MCO 1020.34H Current Content prejudicial to good order is banned | 2018-05-01 | Official link |
| Coast Guard | COMDTINST 1000.1F Current Grandfathering requires a documented entry | 2024-05-14 | Official link |
Do not rely on AR 670-1 alone — a later directive is controlling and authorizes one visible tattoo up to one inch on each hand including the palm, unlimited tattoos between the fingers when the fingers are closed, one ring tattoo per hand, a two-inch tattoo on the back of the neck and a one-inch tattoo behind each ear, while the head, face, eyelids, mouth and ears stay prohibited.
“4.P olicy. a.E ffective immediately, Army policy governing tattoos authorizes: (1 )one visible tattoo on each hand (including the palm), not to exceed one inch in measurement in all directions ; an unlimited number of tattoos between the fingers as long as they are not visible when the fingers are closed; and one ring tattoo on each hand. (2 )one tattoo on the back of the neck , not to exceed two inches in measurement in all directions ( Tattoos are still prohibited on the head and face (except for permanent SECRETARY OF THE ARMY WASHINGTON SUB JECT: Army Directive 2022 -09 (Soldier Tattoo s) 2 makeup as provided in reference 1 d, paragraph 3 –2b(2) ) and inside the eyelids , mouth, and ears. Previously documented tattoos on the neck or hands, for which Soldiers have a tattoo validation memorandum, remain authorized.) (3)one t attoo behind each ear, not to exceed one inch in measurement”… (paragraph continues in the PDF)
The Air Force bars the head, face, tongue, lips, eyes and scalp, and separately bans obscene, gang-associated, extremist or supremacist content anywhere on the body.
“3.2.1. Unauthorized content/locations. Tattoos/brands/body markings will not be on the head, face, tongue, lips, eyes, and scalp. Tattoos/brands/body markings anywhere on the body that are obscene, commonly associated with gangs, extremist, and/or supremacist organizations, or that advocate sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination are prohibited in and out of uniform. Indecent tattoos/brands/body markings are grossly offensive to modesty, decency, or propriety, or shocks the moral sense, because of its vulgar, filthy, or disgusting nature, or its tendency to incite lustful thought. It is indecent if it tends reasonably to corrupt morals or incite libidinous thoughts. It must not violate community standards. Commanders should contact their servici ng Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) unit for additional information on potential identification of gang/hate”… (paragraph continues in the PDF)
A tattoo in a perfectly legal spot can still end you: the Marine Corps prohibits content anywhere on the body that is prejudicial to good order and discipline or brings discredit on the naval service.
“b. The following definitions are provided to aide in the interpretation of these regulations (see Appendix B for graphics): (1) Content of Tattoos. Tattoos located anywhere on the body that are prejudicial to good order and discipline, or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the naval service, are prohibited. Examples include, but are not limited to, tattoos that are drug-related, gang-related, extremist, obscene or indecent, sexist, or racist, as further defined below: (a) Extremist. Extremist tattoos are those affiliated with, depicting, or symbolizing extremist philosophies, organizations, or activities. Extremist philosophies, organizations, and activities that are those which advocate, create, or engage in illegal discrimination based on race, color, gender, ethnicity, religion, or national origin; or advocate violence or other unlawful means of depriving individual rights under”… (paragraph continues in the PDF)
Do not plan on makeup or a bandage — using them to comply is expressly prohibited, and commanders run an annual check for new tattoos above the neckline and on the wrists and hands.
“d. Soldiers and applicants, for enlistment or appointment, may not cover tattoos or brands with bandages or make up in order to comply with the tattoo policy. e. Commanders will perform an annual check for new tattoos or brands above the neckline, wrists, and hands. If any unauthorized tattoos are found, the Soldier must be processed in accordance with paragraph 3–3f. Tattoos on the face or head (to include on or inside the eyelids, mouth, and ears) were never authorized locations for tattoos. Soldiers with tattoos on the head or face must be processed in accordance with paragraph 3–3f, unless the Soldier received a written waiver upon entry into the Army. Commanders will also conduct a simultaneous check for extremist, indecent, sexist, and racist tattoos. If such tattoos exist, the Soldier must be processed in accordance with paragraph 3–3f.”
If an older tattoo was grandfathered, it stays grandfathered only because it was written up at the time, so make sure the administrative remarks entry exists rather than relying on memory.
“17. GR ANDFATHERING. Those members whose tattoos and/or brands were grandfathered after the promulgation of Tattoo, Body Marking, Body Piercing, and Mutilation Standards, COMDTINST 1001.1A (17 June 2005), as documented by an entry on Administration Remarks, Form CG-3307, are considered grandfathered under this Instruction and no further administrative action is required. In cases where the member’s record contains an Administrative Remarks, Form CG-3307, which is more restrictive than this Instruction, this policy takes precedence. The Administrative Remarks, Form 3307, contained in a member’s record must accurately reflect the member’s status at the time of issuance. While such documentation may be superseded by current policy, the original document(s) must remain a permanent part of the record.”
An unauthorized tattoo is not simply tolerated — the member is required to initiate removal or alteration, and may be seen at a military treatment facility on a space-available basis at the commander's discretion.
“3.2.1.1. Members who have or receive unauthorized content tattoos/brands/body markings are required to initiate tattoo/brand/body marking removal/alteration. At the commander’s discretion, members may be seen, on a space and resource available basis, in a Department of Defense (DoD) medical treatment facility for voluntary tattoo/brand/body marking removal. When DoD resources are not available, members may have the tattoo/brand removed/altered at their own expense outside of DoD medical treatment facilit ies. Permissive Temporary Duty is not authorized for this purpose.”
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Updated 2026-08-03. CheckMyRegs is an unofficial index — always cite the official publication.