If you have ever typed “tatts” or “tats” while talking about tattoos, you are definitely not alone. Both versions appear online, especially in social media posts, captions, texts, and casual conversations. But that raises a simple question: is it tatts or tats?
The short answer is tats when you mean more than one tattoo. Tats is the informal plural of tat, which is a shortened form of tattoo. Dictionaries including Merriam-Webster and Cambridge recognize tat as an informal term for a tattoo, while tats is its plural form.
So, if you are looking for the standard informal spelling, tats is the better choice. Tatts can also be found as a slang spelling, but it is much less established in standard dictionary usage.
What Does “Tats” Mean?
Tats is informal slang for tattoos.
The singular form is tat, meaning one tattoo. When you are talking about two or more tattoos, the plural is tats.
For example:
- Singular: She got a new tat.
- Plural: She has several tats on her arms.
- Singular: I love your new tat.
- Plural: His tats have different meanings.
Merriam-Webster describes tat as chiefly U.S. slang for a tattoo, while Cambridge Dictionary also lists tat as an informal term for a permanent image, pattern, or word created on the skin with needles and ink.
In everyday language, tats is simply a shorter, more casual way of saying tattoos.
Tats or Tatts: Which One Is Correct?
If you are wondering “is it tatts or tats?”, the preferred answer is tats.
The word tat is already the shortened form of tattoo. To make it plural, you normally add -s, giving you tats.
The basic pattern
Tattoo → tat → tats
This is similar to other informal shortenings where the plural is formed by adding s:
- photograph → photo → photos
- advertisement → ad → ads
- tattoo → tat → tats
The spelling tatts appears in informal online usage, but it is not the usual dictionary plural of tat. Some slang references list tatts as an alternative spelling, which explains why you may see it on social media or in casual writing.
So, if your goal is clear and conventional English, choose “tats.”
Tats or Tatts Meaning Explained Simply
The tats or tatts meaning is essentially the same when people use both words to refer to tattoos.
The difference is mainly spelling and usage.
| Word | Meaning | Usage |
| tattoo | A permanent design or image on the skin | Standard |
| tat | Informal short form of tattoo | Casual |
| tats | Informal plural of tat | Preferred slang spelling |
| tatts | Informal variant of tats | Less standard |
For professional writing, medical information, tattoo aftercare guides, or formal articles, tattoo/tattoos is the safest choice. For texts, captions, conversations, or casual posts, tat/tats works naturally.
Why Do People Write “Tatts”?
Language does not always develop according to neat spelling rules. Slang, texting, social media, and pronunciation often create alternative spellings that spread through everyday use.
Tatts is one example. People may write it because the word tattoo contains the repeated t sound and because tatt exists as a separate informal spelling in some contexts.
Once a spelling becomes familiar online, people may continue using it even when another spelling is more established.
That does not necessarily make tatts meaningless. It simply means that tats is the more conventional choice when you want to use the slang plural of tat.
How to Use “Tat” and “Tats” in a Sentence
Knowing the difference between singular and plural makes the choice much easier.
Examples with “tat”
Use tat when referring to one tattoo:
- “I got a new tat yesterday.”
- “That tat looks amazing.”
- “She has a small floral tat on her wrist.”
- “He is thinking about getting his first tat.”
Examples with “tats”
Use tats when referring to multiple tattoos:
- “She has three tats on her arm.”
- “I really like your tats.”
- “His tats all have personal meanings.”
- “They were comparing their favorite tats.”
If you are talking about tattoos in general rather than using slang, simply use tattoos.
Is “Tatts” Wrong?
Not necessarily, but there is an important distinction between being used and being the preferred standard form.
Tatts can be found in slang and informal online writing, and some slang references explicitly list it as another spelling for tats.
However, major dictionary references support tat as the informal shortened form of tattoo, with tats as its plural.
Therefore:
- Tats = preferred informal spelling
- Tatts = informal variant you may encounter
- Tattoos = standard full word
If you are writing something where spelling and clarity matter, tats is the better option.
When Should You Use “Tats” Instead of “Tattoos”?
It mostly depends on the tone of your writing.
Use “tats” for:
- Instagram captions
- Text messages
- Casual conversations
- Informal blogs
- Social media comments
- Friendly conversations
For example:
“Thinking about getting some new tats.”
Use “tattoos” for:
- Academic writing
- Professional articles
- Medical content
- Business communication
- Formal publications
- Official documents
For example:
“Tattoos require proper aftercare during the healing process.”
The meaning is essentially the same, but tattoos sounds more neutral and professional.
Tats, Ink, and Tatted: Are They the Same?
You may come across several slang terms when reading about tattoos.
Tats
Tats means tattoos.
“She has beautiful floral tats.”
Ink
Ink can be used informally to refer to tattoos or tattoo work.
“I love your new ink.”
However, ink can be broader than tats, depending on context.
Tatted
Tatted is an informal adjective or verb related to having tattoos or getting tattooed.
“He is heavily tatted.”
Merriam-Webster lists tatted as the past form of the slang verb tat, which means to tattoo or mark the skin with tattoos.
These terms are common in casual speech, but they are not interchangeable in every sentence.
Common Mistakes With “Tats” and “Tatts”
A few simple mistakes can make informal writing look awkward.
1. Using “tats” as a formal term
While tats is a recognized slang term, it is still informal.
Instead of:
“The patient has several tats.”
A medical or professional article would normally say:
“The patient has several tattoos.”
2. Assuming “tatts” is the standard plural
Because tatts appears online, it can look equally correct at first glance. However, tats follows the established plural of tat.
3. Confusing “tat” with “tattoo”
A tat is simply an informal shortened version of tattoo. It is not a completely different type of body art.
4. Using slang when the audience expects formal English
Always consider where your writing will appear. A casual Instagram caption can use tats, while a professional health article should generally stick with tattoos.
Quick Answer: Is It Tats or Tatts?
If you just want the answer without all the details:
Tats is the preferred spelling.
- One: tat
- More than one: tats
- Formal word: tattoo / tattoos
- Informal variant: tatts
So, if you are writing “I love my new ___,” the natural informal choice is:
“I love my new tats.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “tats” short for tattoos?
Yes. Tats is the informal plural of tat, which is a shortened form of tattoo. Dictionaries recognize tat as an informal term for a tattoo.
Is “tatts” a word?
Tatts is found in informal slang usage, but it is not the usual plural spelling of tat when referring to tattoos. Tats is the more conventional choice.
Is it “tat” or “tatt” for one tattoo?
Tat is the more established informal spelling for one tattoo. You may encounter tatt online, but tat is the form supported by major dictionary references for this meaning.
What is the plural of “tat”?
The plural is tats.
For example:
“He has several tats on his back.”
What does “tats” mean in texting?
In texting and casual online conversations, tats usually means tattoos. It is a shortened, informal way of referring to tattoo designs on the skin.
Can I use “tats” in an Instagram caption?
Absolutely. Tats works well in casual social media writing because it is short and conversational.
For example:
“New tats, new memories.”
Is “tats” formal English?
No. Although tat is recognized by dictionaries as an informal word for tattoo, tat/tats are best treated as casual language. Use tattoo/tattoos in formal or professional writing.
Does “tats” mean anything other than tattoos?
Yes, depending on context. Tat has other meanings in English, including a word associated with tatting and, in British English, something cheap or poor quality. Context tells you which meaning is intended.
Conclusion
So, tats or tatts—which one should you use? If you are talking about tattoos in casual English, tats is the clearer and more established choice. It is the plural of tat, the informal short form of tattoo.
Tatts does appear in slang and online conversations, so you may continue to see it. But when you want the conventional informal spelling, stick with tats.
In short: tat = one tattoo, tats = multiple tattoos, and tattoo/tattoos = the standard formal terms.
If you are writing a caption, blog post, or social media bio, choosing between slang and the full word simply comes down to the tone you want. For everyday casual language, tats fits naturally; for professional writing, tattoos is the better choice.
