Mastering Midjourney parameters transforms basic text prompts into precise tools for generating professional-quality images. Parameters act as specialized instructions appended to prompts that control everything from image dimensions to artistic style, enabling users to fine-tune outputs with surgical precision. The system supports over 30 distinct parameters—ranging from fundamental controls like aspect ratio (--ar) and quality (--q) to advanced options like style reference (--sref) and chaos (--chaos)—each serving unique purposes in the creative process. Proper parameter usage requires strategic placement at the end of prompts, careful spacing, and avoidance of punctuation, while combining multiple parameters can produce highly customized results. Experimentation remains key, as even subtle adjustments to values like stylization strength (--s) or model version (--v) can dramatically alter outputs.

• Core parameters include aspect ratio (--ar), version selector (--v), quality (--q), and chaos (--chaos) for foundational control over composition and variability
• Style modifiers like --stylize and --sref enable artistic customization, with low values producing literal interpretations and high values yielding dramatic compositions
• Advanced techniques involve combining parameters (e.g., --ar 16:9 --q 2 --chaos 80) and using reference images for consistent styling
• Workflow optimization includes using --repeat for batch generation and --seed for reproducible results across sessions

Mastering Midjourney parameters for professional results

Foundational parameters for image control

Every Midjourney generation begins with default settings that parameters override to achieve specific outcomes. The aspect ratio parameter (--ar) fundamentally shapes composition by defining width-to-height proportions, with common values including 1:1 for square images, 16:9 for widescreen landscapes, and 3:4 for portrait orientations ^[4]. This parameter directly influences how subjects fill the frame and interact with negative space. The version parameter (--v) selects which Midjourney model processes the prompt, with newer versions like 5.2 offering enhanced realism and coherence compared to legacy versions ^[3]. Quality settings (--q) range from 0.25 to 2, where higher values produce more detailed renderings at the cost of increased processing time—0.25 yields abstract results while 2 delivers photorealistic quality ^[9].

Key foundational parameters include:

• --ar 16:9 creates cinematic widescreen compositions ideal for landscapes ^[4]
• --v 5.2 leverages the latest model improvements for realistic outputs ^[3]
• --q 1 balances detail and speed for most professional use cases ^[9]
• --chaos 50 introduces moderate variability between image grids (range: 0-100) ^[5]
• --seed 12345 ensures reproducible results by fixing the random starting point ^[8]

The chaos parameter deserves special attention as it controls the diversity between the four image options generated from a single prompt. At chaos 0, outputs remain highly similar, while chaos 100 produces radically different interpretations—useful for exploratory phases but potentially inefficient for targeted results ^[5]. These foundational parameters establish the technical framework before artistic modifications take effect.

Advanced stylization and workflow optimization

Beyond technical controls, Midjourney offers sophisticated stylization parameters that transform how the AI interprets artistic direction. The stylize parameter (--s or --stylize) adjusts how strongly Midjourney applies its aesthetic training, with values typically ranging from 0 to 1000. Low stylization (around 50-100) produces literal interpretations of prompts, while high values (600+) create dramatic, artistic compositions that may deviate from the original description ^[2]. This parameter interacts dynamically with the style reference parameter (--sref), which allows users to upload reference images that guide the visual mood—particularly effective for maintaining brand consistency or emulating specific art movements ^[4].

Workflow optimization parameters streamline professional use cases:

• --s 800 applies strong artistic interpretation for conceptual work ^[2]
• --sref [image URL] matches the style of uploaded reference material ^[4]
• --no "text" explicitly excludes unwanted elements from generations ^[8]
• --repeat 5 automatically generates multiple variations in sequence ^[5]
• --stop 90 halts generation early for abstract, impressionistic results ^[5]

The style reference system represents one of Midjourney's most powerful professional tools, enabling users to create custom aesthetic profiles. By uploading 5-10 representative images to establish a style reference, users can generate consistent visual branding across hundreds of images ^[4]. For example, a fashion brand could maintain coherent product imagery by referencing their existing campaign photos. The personalization parameter (--personalize) extends this concept by allowing users to train custom models on their specific aesthetic preferences over time ^[5].

Advanced users combine these parameters with precise prompt structuring techniques. The double colon separator (::) assigns relative importance to prompt elements—"portrait::2 landscape::1" emphasizes portrait elements twice as much as landscape components ^[6]. Negative prompting through --no parameters explicitly excludes undesirable elements like "blurry faces" or "low contrast" from results ^[10]. These techniques, when combined with parameter stacking (e.g., --ar 3:4 --q 2 --s 700 --no "cartoon"), enable unprecedented control over the generative process.