Hats off to anyone who has the cojones and high enough pain threshold to ink themselves up for life, but a hearty round of applause for those who do so of the geeky persuasion.

In this article, you'll find some of the most techno-nerdy-gadget-tastic tattoos in existence ranging from the astounding to the witty, the inventive to the nostalgic and those that just make you shake your head and wonder how long it took to regret having them done at all.

Matching legs

Geek Tattoos photo 44
blondetattoo

We fully appreciate the awesomeness of this one. This cool person decided to get a tattoo to match their prosthetic leg and it looks great too. 

Optical illusion

Geek Tattoos photo 46
robbie_dunk_tattoo

We love a good optical illusion but this one might be a bit too crazy. It seems like you could look right into this person's hand and see through to the other side. 

Ghostbusters sticker

Geek Tattoos photo 40
mr.sticker.tattoo

Luke Cormier aka Mr Sticker is a special kind of tattoo artist from Nova Scotia, Canada who creates awesome tattoo designs that look like stickers. 

Images like this one of the Ghostbusters logo look like they could just peel right off the skin. Certainly unique!

Mini Groot

Geek Tattoos image 2
chrismorristattoos/Frontier Tattoo Parlour

We're big fans of Groot and this mini vision of him is uber-cute.

We're big fans of Groot and this mini vision of him is uber-cute.

Here Groot is making an appearance on someone's arm and is seen as he was in Guardians of the Galaxy 2 unsure what button to press on the bomb. 

The tattoo that has it all

Geek Tattoos image 4
Imgur

There's a lot going on here, with original Linux mascot Tux the penguin, sitting inside the Windows logo eating an Apple.

This tattoo has it all. It's fantastic.

The keen-eyed viewer will spot a representation of the original Linux mascot Tux the penguin, sitting inside the Windows logo eating an Apple. It's essentially an amalgamation of all the main operating systems. But we love that here Tux bears more a resemblance to Private from Dreamwork's flick Madagascar. Amazing.

Augmented Reality Tattoo

Geek Tattoos image 5
VR Scout

What's geekier than an augement reality tattoo that plays audio when you scan it?

Technology and geeky tattoos collide with some pretty special ink that plays an audio clip when you point your phone at it.

This isn't the only one of its kind, but it is a brilliant use of Augmented Reality tech. See the video to enjoy its full glory. 

Head body code tattoo

Geek Tattoos image 9
Tumblr

An amusingly classic code based tattoo.

We've seen a few variations of this classic HTML code tattoo over the years.

A simple, yet effective statement of geekiness without going overboard. 

N64 controller

Geek Tattoos image 6
sydniemarie87/BuzzFeed

A throwback to an older generation of gaming controllers.

Back in the days when games still came on cartridges, these Nintendo controllers were a mainstay in many homes.

Die-hard fans adore the classic tri-pronged controller and the many hours whiled away on it. The younger gamers out there might not even realise what this tattoo represents and that makes us sad. 

Geek Tattoos image 3
Hillbillyholmantattooist/Facebook

A Cookie Monster tattoo that's also designed to draw the eye away from the owner's birthmark.

This one is not only pretty special, but it's also clever. This Cookie Monster tattoo is designed to simply draw the eye away from this owner's birthmark.

The brown blob now looks like a sugary snack our favourite monster is eyeing up. 

His and hers Pokémon

Geek Tattoos image 7
mayram4b7e4bbcf/BuzzFeed

His and hers Pokémon tattoo.

Pokémon and Pokemon Go continue to prove popular with nerds around the world. This couple is so keen they got adorable tattoos to show their pride. 

Spiderman

Geek Tattoos image 10
Boredpanda

On the outside, a normal human being, on the underneath he's Spiderman. 

These style of ripped skin tattoos are pretty freaky, this one is also incredibly geeky.

On the outside, a normal human being, on the underneath he's Spiderman

Batman

Geek Tattoos image 8
nextluxury

The Dark Knight certainly makes for a pretty awesome tattoo.

The Dark Knight makes for a pretty awesome tattoo. This one is not only incredibly detailed but a brilliantly realistic likeness too. 

Han shot first

Geek Tattoos image 28
Reddit

Why not show where you stand on the who shot first debate by putting it in ink?

Ah, the classic Star Wars meme turned into a tattoo. In the 1977 version of the Star Wars flick it looked like Han Solo shot Greedo first, but in the updated 1997 version Greedo appeared to shoot first instead. This person obviously felt it was right that Han got the credit. 

3D space tattoo

Geek Tattoos image 27
Jesse Rix

An uber-cool tattoo with a 3D view that appears to be bursting out from under the skin.

This uber-cool tattoo is a 3D design which seems to show the owner's body breaking apart to reveal space underneath. 

A really snazzy design and perhaps a view to another dimension via the human form?

Fortnite Llama

Geek Tattoos image 23
luschnei21/Instagram

Any fan of the popular Battle Royale shooter will recognise and appreciate this Fortnite tattoo.

Fortnite is officially incredibly popular with gamers around the globe. If you've not heard of it, the chances are you don't play games, don't have kids or have been living under a rock.

This Battle Royale fan went so far as to get matching Llama tattoos with their partner. At least when this gaming trend disappears they'll have a pretty cute-looking tattoo, though explaining it might to future generations might prove tricky

Fear and loathing

Geek Tattoos image 24
Piximus

A fantastic likeness of Johnny Depp's character from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Those movie buffs in the know will instantly recognise this likeness to Johnny Depp's character from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. The cult classic from 1998 adapted from Hunter S. Thompson's novel of the same name.

Princess Leia

Geek Tattoos image 25
Piximus

Star Wars geeks will no doubt swoon at this incredibly detailed tattoo of Princess Leia.

Star Wars geeks will no doubt swoon at this incredibly detailed tattoo of Princess Leia.

We're thoroughly impressed with how realistic this one is. It certainly looks like she's staring back at you. 

This is fine meme

Geek Tattoos image 26
Dink Ink

The "this is fine" meme makes for a pretty good summary of the current state of the world though. 

What could possibly be geekier than turning a meme into a tattoo? The "this is fine" meme makes for a pretty good summary of the current state of the world though. 

Don't panic

Geek Tattoos image 15
Zouka/Reddit

Don't Panic! Just get yourself a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy tattoo.

This tattoo is not only sage life advice, but also the words emblazoned on The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the fictional guide to space travel from the series of books by the same name penned by Douglas Adams. 

Sonic the Hedgehog

Geek Tattoos image 16
jrtattoomob/Instagram

A colourful homage to the gaming legend that is Sonic the Hedgehog.

A colourful homage to the gaming legend that is Sonic the Hedgehog. At 29 years old and counting, Sonic is getting on somewhat, but he'll live on in style on this appendage. 

Doc Brown

Geek Tattoos image 17
dermhospitalthomas/Instagram

Great Scott! Time travelling scientist Doc Brown has seen something off in the middle distance that warrants a wide-eyed stare.

Great Scott! Time travelling scientist Doc Brown has seen something off in the middle distance that warrants a wide-eyed stare. As ever-loving fans of Back to the Future, we're also big fans of this simple yet detailed tattoo. 

Entropy

Geek Tattoos image 18
Itsjustcavan/Reddit

Word geeks everywhere will appreciate this one.

Entropy is defined as a "lack of order or predictability; gradual decline into disorder." Knowing that, it's easy to see the brilliance of this tattoo and the appreciation from word geeks everywhere. 

Banksy's robot

Geek Tattoos image 22
Next Luxury

This one stands out as a homage to the fantastic graffiti tagging robot Banksy created in Coney Island, New York. 

Geeks come in many forms. Art geeks are just as likely to get tattoos. This ink stood out for us as a homage to the fantastic graffiti tagging robot Banksy created in Coney Island, New York. 

Tea geeks

Geek Tattoos image 21
ElvisOnLSD/Reddit

Us Brits fully approve of this tea lover's tattoo.

Us Brits are well known for our love of tea. It's no surprise that we, therefore, fully approve of this tea lover's tattoo. It's also proof that there's a geek for everything. 

Rick and Morty green screen

Geek Tattoos image 19
Roy Rowlett

People either love or hate Rick and Morty. But either way you've got to appreciate a high-quality fanboy tattoo.

People either love or hate Rick and Morty. It's certainly got plenty of adoring fans and no shortage of tattoos either. This though is our favourite. The backdrop of this tattoo works as a green screen allowing for Inception-like happenings as Rick and Morty watch their own TV show. Watch the accompanying YouTube video to see the full glory of this tattoo.

 

Tatooine

Geek Tattoos image 20
ciotka_zu_tattoo/Instagram

A simple yet neatly detailed tattoo with a classic Star Wars theme.

Another classic Star Wars themed tattoo. This one stood out to us due to the delicate dotting of the ink work. It's also as tiny as it is magnificent. 

Groot and rocket

Geek Tattoos image 12
@gregfly1989

More adorable characters from The Guardians of the Galaxy apparently make for a pretty awesome tattoo.

The more adorable characters from The Guardians of the Galaxy apparently make for a pretty awesome tattoo. We wonder where they're off to.

Deadpool

Geek Tattoos image 11
@TATTOOSBYJIM

What can you say about Deadpool? If you know, then you're already cool.

Ryan Reynolds might have propelled Deadpool into the mainstream, but the Marvel character has been pretty popular among the comic geeks and nerds for a long time. This fan has inked his forearm to show his fondness for the vulgar superhero. 

A petrol head's dream

Geek Tattoos image 13
brunohrltattoo

This one seems like a sensible choice for a petrol head.

If you're a real car lover and can't get enough of high-speed thrills. Then this might be the tattoo for you. An under-the-skin view of a nifty suspension system. 

X-Wing

Geek Tattoos image 14
d_b_cooper/Reddit

This X-Wing makes for not only a versatile Rebel Alliance starfighter but also a cracking geek tattoo. 

Another incredibly detailed Star Wars tattoo that caught our eye. This X-Wing makes for not only a versatile Rebel Alliance starfighter but also a cracking geek tattoo. 

Mandalorian tattoo

Geek Tattoos photo 30
nmccurdy93

Some mega Star Wars geeks have been rocking Mandalorian tattoos for years. 

Given the popularity of the Mandalorian TV series, you'll see a few of these awesome tattoos appearing. But some mega Star Wars geeks have been rocking Mandalorian tattoos for years. 

Beam me up!

Geek Tattoos photo 31
tomsandys

Tom Sandys is using some inking talent and clever planning to cover up scars. 

This one is a nice use of a funny Star Trek image used to cover over an otherwise obvious surgery scar. Or perhaps using the art as a fun highlight to the surgical marks. 

Vader's sabre

Geek Tattoos photo 32
Hellcock Tattooing

Hellcock Tattooing is another tatooist using talents to help people cover over scars. Here a mark has been turned into Darth Vader's lightsabre. Nice. 

The Minish Cap

Geek Tattoos photo 33
midlowzeff

Zelda has always been popular with gamers, even now with Breath of the Wild rejuvenating that love. 

This Reddit user has had their favourite game of the series turned into art though - The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap in tattoo form. 

Matrix theme

Geek Tattoos photo 34
mandrak11

With the new Matrix film appearing it's apt that this person has decided to get some ink of Trinity looking awesome. 

Sketchy R2D2

Geek Tattoos photo 36
Reddit

We love this inkwork of R2D2, not just because we enjoy Star Wars, but because it looks like it's been sketched with a pencil rather than carefully inked to be perfect. 

The Joker

Geek Tattoos photo 37
Fo0tL0ng

Here's looking at you kid. A wonderfully detailed and fun Joker design if ever we saw one. 

Harley Quin By Antonio Ragone

Geek Tattoos photo 38
mandrak11

Some of these tattoos are not just wonderfully geeky, they're also thoroughly impressive. This likeness of Harley Quinn/Margot Robbie is magnificent. 

PlayStation buttons

Geek Tattoos photo 39
wtg_artist

This gamer obviously loves their console. We really like the shadow effect on this tattoo which makes the buttons look 3D. 

Gizmo

Geek Tattoos photo 41
mr.sticker.tattoo

Another of Mr Sticker's superb creations shows everyone's favourite Gremlin. Though how the owner is going to wash this part of their body without causing problems is beyond us. 

Clippy

Geek Tattoos photo 42
scrambled-

We miss Clippy frankly. He was always fun to have around and we guess this person feels the same. 

We miss Clippy frankly. He was always fun to have around and we guess this person feels the same. 

Starry Night

Geek Tattoos photo 43
shyGuy2392

If you're a geek and a fan of art then this mash up of van Gogh's Starry Night and Godzilla will make you smile. 

Mike Wazowski

Geek Tattoos photo 45
crazyytattoos

Someone is a fan of Monsters Inc. With a tattoo of Mike Wazowski seemingly stuck to their arm with tape. He doesn't look impressed.