Ever felt that pit in your stomach when AI art serves up a dull, off-topic image? It’s like opening what you thought was a birthday present… only to find yesterday’s socks.
But here’s the deal: those cryptic Midjourney prompt flags are just simple switches you add to your /imagine command. Think of them like spices in your favorite soup, a teaspoon of aspect ratio for the perfect frame, a dash of chaos to add zing.
Once you play with these little tweaks, you’ll guide the composition just right. You can shape a unique style, keep things consistent, and even discover fun surprises. It’s like tuning an old radio until your favorite song comes through loud and clear.
Ready to spark stunning images and nail your exact vision? Let’s dive in and turn blank canvases into eye-catching art.
Customizing Images with Midjourney Prompt Parameters

Midjourney prompt parameters are little flags you add to your text with two hyphens. They help shape the AI-generated image just the way you want. You type them right into a Discord slash command (like /imagine) and the bot takes it from there.
Have you ever wondered how to nudge an AI image toward your exact vision? These parameters are your toolkit.
Here are the five main midjourney prompt parameters and how they work:
-
–ar width:height
Sets the image’s aspect ratio (that’s the shape, widescreen, square, tall). Default is 1:1 (square). Popular picks are 16:9 (widescreen) or 3:2. -
–stylize or –s
Controls style intensity from 0 (super literal) to 1000 (very artsy). Default is 100. -
–seed
Locks in the random start point (0–4,294,967,295) so you can recreate the same image later. -
–quality or –q <0.25/0.5/1>
Balances detail and speed. Default is 1 (highest detail). Lower values save GPU time and run faster. -
–chaos <0–100>
Cranks up unpredictability. Default is 0 for consistency. Turn it up for more surprising results.
Tweak these settings and you’ll fine-tune composition, style, consistency, detail, and creative randomness, kind of like adjusting spices in a recipe.
Example of a basic prompt with all five parameters:/imagine prompt: misty mountain lake at sunrise --ar 16:9 --stylize 250 --seed 12345 --quality 0.5 --chaos 20
Adjusting Aspect Ratio and Composition with –ar

Have you ever wondered how image framing can change the entire mood? The –ar flag is your go-to tool for that. You just type in a ratio like 1:1 or 16:9, and boom, your image shifts shape without losing any detail. It’s like picking the perfect frame before you hang a photo, simple and satisfying.
| Ratio | Use Case | Framing Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | Instagram posts, profile icons | Balanced, centered subjects |
| 16:9 | YouTube thumbnails, widescreen wallpapers | Expansive landscapes, cinematic feel |
| 3:2 | Print photos, digital galleries | Classic photo dimensions |
Here are some quick ratio tips to keep things easy:
- For vertical stories or reels, use 9:16 to fill a smartphone screen.
- Stick with 1:1 if you want a strong, square focal point.
- Try 4:5 for portrait shots that need a bit more height.
- Test custom ratios (like 2:1) for banner-style headers.
Tweak your aspect ratio early to sketch out your layout before fine-tuning style and detail. It’s often the very first step to nailing your composition.
So, which ratio will you try first?
Controlling Style Intensity and Creativity with Stylize & Chaos

Ever wondered how to make your Midjourney images look more like a painting or stick close to reality? The stylize parameter (--s) controls how artistic your image looks and runs from 0 (super literal, almost photo-like) to 1000 (full painterly flourish). The default is 100, which feels just right, like a soft wash of color without going overboard.
And there’s style strength (--style), a sibling flag that adjusts how strong the style flair feels on a 0–100 scale. Think of it as brush pressure: low for a gentle touch, high for bold, dramatic strokes. Want to play with genre vibes? Try using sci-fi art styles in Midjourney prompts, and watch how space themes transform your scene.
Feeling stuck in a creative groove? That’s where chaos (--chaos) comes in. It sets the randomness level on a 0–100 scale, where 0 gives you predictable images, great when you have a clear vision. Turn it up toward 100, and Midjourney starts tossing in curveballs, sparking fresh ideas. It’s like having a brainstorming buddy nudging you out of your comfort zone. For a dash of surprise without total mayhem, try mid-range settings around 25 to 50.
For true experimentation, try the weird parameter (--weird), which distorts shapes, colors, and mood over a 0–3000 range. Low values keep everything grounded. Push it high and you’ll see surreal twists, neon acid rain or creatures morphing before your eyes.
Here are some quick tips for mixing these settings:
- Start with
--s 100and--style 50for a clean baseline. - Increase
--chaosin small steps until you spot cool surprises. - When you find a look you love, lock in the seed and bump
--qualityfor crisp results. - Use
--weirdsparingly since too much can blur the finer details.
Finding that sweet spot between consistency and creativity is all about tiny tweaks. Change one value at a time, soak in the results, and discover where precision meets playful unpredictability.
Ensuring Consistency with Seed Control (–seed)

Have you ever wanted the same Midjourney image again and again? The seed parameter (–seed) is your answer. It picks the starting point for the AI’s random process. You choose any number from 0 to 4,294,967,295. It’s like telling the AI exactly which numbered marble to draw.
When you run the same prompt with the same seed you get identical images every time. You can almost hear the smooth hum of AI algorithms as they churn out that same design. That kind of consistency makes it super simple to tweak a design or build a series of scenes without any wild surprises. Mastering seed control lets you ditch the guesswork.
And if you only tweak the seed number while keeping all your other settings the same you’ll see small style shifts. We call this seed variance. Jump by 1 or by 100 and new ideas start to pop up, all while keeping your core concept intact.
Here’s a tip for staying organized: jot down each prompt and its seed number in a spreadsheet or a note. Spot a version you love? Just paste /imagine your text --seed 12345 and you’ll get that exact result. Consistent seed control is really the secret sauce for smooth iterations and reliable image series.
Balancing Detail and Speed with the Quality Setting (–quality, –q)

Have you ever wondered why some Midjourney images pop up in seconds, while others take a bit longer? It all comes down to the quality setting (a number that tells the AI how much detail to add). You’ve got three options:
- 0.25 for the fastest sketches with minimal detail
- 0.5 as a middle ground, faster than full detail but still polished
- 1 for the sharpest, most detailed render (and it’s the default)
Lower quality is like cutting down cooking time in the AI kitchen, it slashes processing time and GPU minutes (computer time that powers your images). You can zip through rough drafts or wireframe ideas almost instantly. Perfect for when you just want to play around.
But crank it up to 1 and the AI takes a little more time (and more GPU minutes). In return, you’ll see richer textures, crisper lines, and tiny flourishes that might disappear at lower settings. Think of 0.5 if you need something nice enough for social media or a quick client preview.
Pro tip: start with –q 0.25 to nail your composition and lighting. Once you lock in your favorite seed (the number guiding your image’s look), switch to –q 1 for a final, crystal-clear masterpiece. Easy.
midjourney prompt parameters spark stunning image results

Ever thought about nudging Midjourney’s AI to get exactly the look you want? Those little flag options are like secret knobs on a mixer, each one tweaking your image’s style and sharpness.
Here’s a friendly cheat sheet:
- raw (–raw) gives you unfiltered realism by turning off style filters.
- sref (–sref + –sw 0–1000) borrows style from an uploaded image, from a hint of texture to a full-on makeover.
- cref (–cref + –cw 0–100) locks in your character’s features so they stay the same across every shot.
- iw (–iw 0–2, up to 3 in V6) balances how much weight you give to your image uploads versus your text prompt.
- version switch (–v) hops between engines like V6 Alpha for crisp text or Niji 6 if you want that anime vibe.
- negative prompt (–no) cuts out what you don’t want, like –no cars or –no logos. Find more at midjourney negative prompts.
- tile (–tile) repeats patterns to create seamless backgrounds.
- repeat (–repeat) spins out multiple variations in one go, awesome for brainstorming.
- mode toggles let you choose Fast, Relax, or Turbo speeds and Public or Stealth privacy settings.
| Flag | Range/Options | Key Impact |
|---|---|---|
| –raw | on/off | True-to-life renders |
| –sref + –sw | 0–1000 | Style transfer strength |
| –cref + –cw | 0–100 | Character consistency |
Now, let’s mix and match like colors on a palette. Start small, add one or two flags to a base prompt, see how it shifts, then throw in another. It’s like tasting soup as you cook. Um, did I just compare AI to soup? Well, it works.
When you find a combo you love, lock it in with a seed value and bump up the quality for gallery-ready images.
Here are some fun recipes to try:
- Product mock-up: –raw –quality 1 –no background –tile
- Character lineup: –cref YOUR_IMAGE_URL –cw 90 –ar 9:16 –v 6
- Brand motif tests: –sref YOUR_STYLE_IMAGE –sw 600 –tile –repeat 4
- Quick concept sparks: –iw 0.3 –chaos 60 –fast –q .25
Go on, give it a spin! You’ll be amazed at what those tiny flags can do.
Best Practices, Common Mistakes, and Optimization Tips

Quick Reference:
- Start with a low-quality preview (
--q 0.25). It’s like doing a quick sketch so your GPU (graphics processing unit, the chip that handles images) doesn’t burn through time or power. - Tweak only one parameter per run. That way you’ll clearly see exactly what each change does.
- Keep a simple cheat-sheet of your favorite seeds (random-number starters). You’ll thank yourself when you want to recreate that perfect result.
- Watch your GPU minutes as you boost quality. Those humming calculations add up faster than you might think.
- For your final render, switch to
--q 1and lock in the best seed. Then sit back and enjoy the smooth, polished output.
Final Words
You’ve learned what prompt parameters are and how to use the five main ones: –ar, –stylize or –s, –seed, –quality or –q, and –chaos. You saw how to shift ratios for framing, dial style intensity, lock in seeds for consistency, and pick quality levels for quick drafts or detailed renders.
We also explored advanced flags like raw, –no exclusions, repeat, and image weights, plus shared tips on tweaking one value at a time, tracking results, and minding GPU use.
Now you’ve got the tools to shape images with midjourney prompt parameters. Have fun experimenting, and may your creations shine!
FAQ
Where can I find a Midjourney prompt parameters cheat sheet and examples?
You can find official cheat sheets in the Midjourney docs, downloadable PDF guides, and community-made versions on Reddit. Sample prompts and V6-specific cheat sheets help you learn syntax and common parameter uses.
How do I set resolution prompts in Midjourney, including 4K?
You set resolution by adding --ar for aspect ratio (use 16:9 for widescreen), then use the upscale feature or --q 1 for high detail. Upscaling to 4K happens via the UI’s upscale button or the --upbeta flag.
What is the –q parameter in Midjourney?
The --q parameter controls image detail and GPU time. Options include 0.25 (fast, low detail), 0.5 (medium), and 1 (default, high detail). Lower values speed up previews; higher settings boost quality at a cost.
What is the –weird parameter in Midjourney?
The --weird parameter creates experimental, abstract styles by adjusting randomness. Values range from 0–3000; higher settings yield more unusual outputs. It’s ideal for creative brainstorming or when you want unexpected visual twists.
What is the OW parameter in Midjourney?
The OW parameter isn’t an official flag in Midjourney. For input weighting, use --iw to adjust image influence. Core flags remain --ar for ratio, --q for quality, --s for style, and --seed for consistency.
How do I properly prompt Midjourney?
Proper Midjourney prompts start with a concise text description, then add parameters one at a time (for example, --ar, --s, --q, --seed, --chaos). Begin with defaults, then tweak flags step by step for predictable results.

