Tattoo Needle Groupings Explained: RL, RS, M1, RM, CM, F
A code like "7RL" or "9M1" looks cryptic until you know the structure: the number in front is how many needles are bundled together, the letters describe how they're arranged — round, flat, staggered. Each grouping leaves a different mark on skin, from fine lines (RL) to broad coverage (M1, RM). This guide walks through each type, what makes it different, and where it's actually used. For a size-by-size comparison within round liners (3RL, 5RL, 7RL), see the dedicated guide linked below.
The code on a needle pack (7RL, 9M1, 5RS) tells you everything once you can read it: the number is the needle count, the letters are the shape. A full breakdown of liner, shader, magnum and flat groupings, and what each one is actually for.
How to read the code
The number in front tells you how many individual needles are soldered into the grouping — a 5RL has 5 needles, a 9M1 has 9. The letter or letters that follow describe the shape the needles are arranged in, and that shape is what determines the mark it leaves on skin: a thin line, a soft gradient, or solid coverage.
RL — Round Liner
Needles are grouped tightly into a compact round formation. This is the standard grouping for lining — outlines, script, fine detail. As the count goes up (3RL, 5RL, 7RL, 9RL...), the resulting line gets heavier and the needle holds more ink per pass.
RS — Round Shader
Same round shape as RL, but with the needles grouped more loosely rather than tightly. The looser configuration makes RS suited to soft shading and gradients, not clean lines — the mark it leaves is more diffuse than a liner of the same count.
F — Flat
Needles are aligned in a single straight row rather than a round cluster. Flat groupings are used for geometric fill and crisp, straight edges on angular shapes, where a round grouping (magnum) would leave too soft an edge.
M1 / Magnum — filling large areas
Magnum needles (often labeled M1 or "weaved magnum") are arranged in two staggered rows rather than a circle — a 7M1, for example, has a bottom row of 4 and a top row of 3, offset. The two-row layout covers more surface per pass, which is why it's the default choice for filling, large-area shading and blending.
RM / CM — Curved Magnum
Same two-row logic as M1, but the tips are arranged along a curved arc instead of a flat line. The curve reduces the hard contact points at the needle's edge, giving a gentler pass across skin — many artists prefer CM/RM over M1 specifically for that added comfort during shading and blending on larger surfaces.
| Code | Name | Shape | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| RL | Round Liner | Round, tight | Lines, outlines, fine detail |
| RS | Round Shader | Round, loose | Soft shading, gradients |
| F | Flat | Straight row | Geometric fill, crisp edges |
| M1 | Magnum | Two staggered rows, flat | Filling, large-area shading |
| RM / CM | Curved Magnum | Two rows, curved | Shading and blending, gentler pass |
A 7RL doesn't lay a line seven times wider than a 1RL — the number is the count of needles in the bundle, not a direct unit of line width. A larger grouping mostly increases how much ink the tip carries and how fast it saturates a line, not just the raw width.
How to choose, by type of work
- Fine outlines, script, small detail — RL, small counts (1-5RL).
- Heavy outlines, lines across large areas — RL, larger counts (7RL+).
- Soft shading, subtle gradients — RS.
- Geometric fill, angular clean edges — F.
- Filling and shading over large areas, limited time — M1.
- Fine blending, more comfort on long passes — RM/CM.
Browse tattoo needles by category →
Surse și referințe
Întrebări frecvente
What's the difference between M1 and RM/CM if both do filling?+
The base construction is similar (two staggered rows of needles), but M1 has the tips aligned flat while RM/CM arranges them along a curved arc. The curve reduces point pressure on skin, making CM/RM gentler over long passes, though both cover large areas efficiently.
Can I use an RS instead of an RL for lining?+
It's not recommended — the RS grouping is looser and leaves a diffuse mark, not a clean line. For sharp outlines, RL remains the correct choice; RS is built for shading, not defined lines.
Why would someone choose F (flat) over a small magnum?+
For crisp geometric edges — flat needles leave a straight edge, suited to angular shapes (geometric blackwork, filling along straight lines), where a round or curved magnum would leave a softer transition at the border.
Is the needle diameter in mm the same as the number in the code?+
No. The number in the code (the 7 in 7RL) is how many needles are in the grouping, not the diameter in millimeters. Individual needle diameter (e.g. 0.30mm or 0.35mm) is a separate spec, usually listed separately on the packaging.