Wireless communication techniques that include PTRS resource density recommendation and selection techniques are discussed. A UE may transmit to a base station a set of phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) resource density recommendations that are determined based, at least in part, on a block error rate (BLER). The base station may transmit to the UE an indication of PTRS resource densities to use for wireless communication of the PTRS based, at least in part, on the BLER associated with the received set of PTRS resource density recommendations. The base station and/or the UE may at least one of receive or transmit a PTRS based, at least in part, on the indicated PTRS resource densities. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.