Updated for Midjourney V8.2
The Complete Midjourney Guide
Every Midjourney version from V1 to the latest V8.2, plus every parameter, style reference, and pro technique for stunning AI art.
Learn the craft here, then skip the trial and error with our curated, ready-to-use prompt packs and sref styles.
Every Midjourney Version
Tap any version to see what changed, how it looks, and how to call it. V8.2 is the current default — older models stay available for specific styles.
Midjourney V8.2
LatestJuly 2026 · Current defaultThe current default. An aesthetics, image-quality, and personalization update: bolder, more sophisticated images, fewer random low-quality results, and personalization that actually reads your taste.
- Default since July 24, 2026 — omit --v or use --v 8.2
- Bolder, more creative, edgier default look
- Dramatically fewer random low-quality images
- Personalization understands your taste much better
- Larger, improved image pool when creating --p profiles
- Edit Model (--edit) replaces Omni, character reference, and Retexture
Add this to your prompt to use V8.2:
a serene mountain landscape at golden hour --v 8.2
Prompting tip: Start here. Keep prompts concise, rate images for --p, and use --edit with up to 4 reference images instead of --oref.
Prompt Structure
The best prompts follow this structure for consistent, high-quality results:
[subject] [action/scene] [style/mood] [lighting] [camera/composition] --ar [ratio] --s [value]
Example - Photorealistic Portrait:
cinematic portrait of elderly craftsman, warm studio lighting, shallow depth of field, 85mm lens --ar 2:3 --s 180 --chaos 20
Example - Product Photography:
minimalist product photography, luxury watch on marble surface, soft diffused lighting, clean white background --ar 4:5 --s 100 --q 2
Core Parameters
These work across recent versions. Click on any parameter with a guide icon to see detailed usage tips.
--aspect (--ar)
Range: Any ratio (e.g., 16:9, 2:3, 1:1, 9:16)
Default: 1:1
Controls image dimensions and composition. Choose based on your output format.
--stylize (--s)
Range: 0-1000
Default: 100
Controls artistic interpretation vs prompt accuracy. Low = literal, High = artistic.
--quality (--q)
Range: 0.5, 1, 2
Default: 1
GPU time and detail level. V7 and V8 use 0.5, 1, 2 (not 0.25 like older versions).
--chaos (--c)
Range: 0-100
Default: 0
Controls variation diversity between the 4 generated images in a grid.
--seed
Range: 0-4294967295
Ensures consistent base pattern across generations. Save seeds to recreate results. Only works when prompt and parameters stay similar.
--stop
Range: 10-100
Default: 100
Stops generation early for sketch-like or incomplete effects. Lower values = more abstract.
--tile
Creates seamless repeating patterns. Perfect for textures, wallpapers, and backgrounds.
--repeat (--r)
Range: 1-40
Default: 1
Generate multiple variations of the same prompt in one command. Useful for batch generation.
V7–V8.2 Parameters
Personalization, references, and the V8.2 Edit Model. Omni Reference still applies on V7 and V8.1.
--edit (Edit Model)
V7+V8.2's replacement for Omni Reference, Character Reference, and Retexture. Pass up to 4 image URLs to restyle, combine, or rewrite a shot. On web, attach images in the Imagine bar; on Discord add --edit plus the URLs.
--hd / --sd (HD / SD)
V7+V8.1 and V8.2 native resolution. --hd renders ~2K without a separate upscale (costs more GPU). --sd is the faster standard pass. Inpainting HD images downscales to SD — upscale again to get HD back.
--oref (Omni Reference)
V7 and V8.1 only. Input a reference image URL for precise style and composition control. On V8.2 use --edit instead.
--ow (Omni Weight)
Range: 0-1000
Default: 100
V7 and V8.1 only. Controls Omni reference influence. Low values (0–300) for style transfer, high values (700–1000) for detail replication. On V8.2 use --edit instead.
--exp (Experimental)
V7+Range: 0-100
Default: 0
Advanced tone mapping and detail enhancement. Keep under 25 for consistency - higher values can overwhelm other parameters.
--p (Personalization)
Applies your learned aesthetic preferences. Rate images in Midjourney to build a profile — V8.2 reads your taste much more accurately, especially with a large ratings pool. Toggle in /settings or add --p.
Style Reference Parameters
--sref [code or URL]
Apply a style reference using Midjourney style codes or image URLs. Browse style codes in community libraries.
--sref random
Applies a random style from 1 billion+ base styles. Great for creative exploration and discovering new aesthetics.
--sw (Style Weight)
Range: 0-1000
Default: 100
Controls style reference strength. Combine with --sref for controlled style transfer.
--iw (Image Weight)
Range: 0-3
Default: 1
Controls image prompt influence. Lower for inspiration, higher for recreation.
--cw (Character Weight)
Range: 0-100
Default: 100
Character reference consistency. Essential for maintaining character design across multiple images.
--no [terms]
Negative prompting - excludes unwanted elements. More effective than writing 'without X' in your prompt.
Example with multiple style controls:
portrait of a warrior --sref 123456789 --sw 500 --cw 80 --no blur, noise, text
Speed Modes
--fast
Default mode. Standard GPU time usage.
Best for: Regular work
--turbo
2x faster generation. Consumes double Fast Hours.
Best for: Client presentations, deadlines
--relax
Slower, variable generation. No Fast Hours consumed.
Best for: Experimentation (not available on Basic)
Draft Mode
10x faster at 50% GPU cost. Toggle in settings or web UI.
Perfect for rapid iteration. Use for exploration, then turn off for final high-resolution renders.
Advanced Techniques
Weight Modifiers (::)
Control emphasis between different parts of your prompt using double colons and numbers.
sunset::2 ocean::1 palm trees::0.5
Sunset is emphasized 2x more than ocean. Palm trees have half the weight.
Permutations { }
Generate multiple variations in one command using curly braces with comma-separated options.
a {red, blue, green} sports car on a mountain road --ar 16:9
Creates 3 separate jobs with different colors automatically.
Multi-Image Prompts
Add reference images before your text prompt to influence the generation.
[Image URL 1] [Image URL 2] futuristic cityscape at dusk --ar 16:9
Combine multiple reference images with your text prompt for complex compositions.
Parameter Presets by Use Case
Photorealism / Products
--s 50-150 --chaos 10-20 --q 1 --ar 4:5
Low stylize for accuracy, minimal chaos
Concept Art / Illustration
--s 200-400 --chaos 30-50 --ar 16:9
Higher stylize for artistic interpretation
Character Consistency
--seed [fixed] --oref [URL] --ow 600-800 --ar 2:3
Fixed seed + strong reference for consistency
Rapid Prototyping
Draft Mode ON --chaos 40-60 --s 100-200
Fast exploration, refine favorites later
Social Media (Instagram)
--ar 1:1 --s 100-180 --no text --chaos 15
Square format, clean without text overlays
Stories / Mobile
--ar 9:16 --s 150 --no watermark, text
Vertical format for mobile consumption
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overly complex prompts - Recent versions understand concise descriptions better. Focus on key elements.
Ignoring aspect ratio - Wrong AR breaks composition. Choose based on your output format.
Same --s for everything - Adjust stylize per use case (low for products, high for art).
Not using --no - Proactively remove unwanted elements (text, watermarks, blur).
Mixing too many high values - High --chaos + --exp + --stylize = unpredictable results.
Assuming old syntax - Quality is now 0.5/1/2 and many references moved to Omni. Check the version you're on.
Pro Tips
Rate Images First
Personalization requires rating ~200 images. Do this immediately for best results with --p.
Start Simple
--ar, --s, and --chaos cover 80% of use cases. Master these three before adding complexity.
Draft Mode Strategy
Use Draft Mode for exploration (10x faster), then turn OFF for final high-resolution renders.
Seed Consistency
Seeds only work when prompt and parameters stay similar. Major changes break seed effect.
Keep --exp Under 25
The experimental parameter is powerful but can overwhelm --stylize and --p at higher values.
What's New in V8.2
Bolder Aesthetics
V8.2 defaults are more creative, sophisticated, and edgy — less of the flat, V7-inspired look of V8.1.
Fewer Bad Rolls
Random low-quality results are dramatically reduced. You spend less GPU time throwing grids away.
Smarter Personalization
--p understands your taste much better, especially on profiles with lots of ratings. New profiles pick from a larger, improved image pool.
Edit Model
--edit replaces Omni Reference, Character Reference, and Retexture. Attach up to 4 images to restyle, combine, or rewrite a shot.
Prompt Accuracy
Keeps V8.1's strong prompt following and in-image text, so multi-part descriptions and short typography still land.
HD Speed, Inherited
Native 2K with --hd and the 4–5× faster jobs from V8.1 carry over. Draft for exploration, HD for finals.
Unlock the Full Prompt Library
Hundreds of curated prompts and sref styles, tested on the latest Midjourney models. One click to copy, endless results to create.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest Midjourney version?
V8.2 is the latest Midjourney model and the current default (since July 24, 2026). It is an aesthetics, image-quality, and personalization update: bolder, more sophisticated images, fewer random low-quality results, and personalization that reads your taste more accurately.
What is the difference between Midjourney V8.1 and V8.2?
V8.1 (April 2026) was the speed and HD leap — about 4–5× faster than earlier models, with native 2K (--hd) and stronger prompt adherence. V8.2 keeps that and shifts the look: more creative, bold, and edgy defaults, much better personalization, and the new Edit Model (--edit), which replaces Omni Reference, Character Reference, and Retexture.
What is the difference between Midjourney V7 and V8.2?
V7 introduced personalization by default, Draft Mode, and Omni Reference. V8.2 is faster, sharper, and more stylized, with native HD, a rebuilt personalization engine, and Edit Model instead of Omni / character reference.
Which Midjourney version should I use?
For almost all work, use the latest V8.2 — it is the default, so you can omit --v. Use --v 8.1 if you prefer its more restrained, V7-inspired look. Use the Niji models for anime and illustration. Older versions like V5 and V6 are mainly useful for specific retro or stylized aesthetics.
How do Midjourney parameters work?
Parameters such as --ar (aspect ratio), --s (stylize), --chaos, --sref (style reference), --p (personalization), and --edit are added to the end of your prompt to control composition, style, references, and variation.
Do VOAO/AI prompts work on the latest Midjourney version?
Yes. Every prompt and sref style in the VOAO/AI gallery is written and tested to work on the latest Midjourney models, including V8.2.
Ready to Create Amazing Art?
Explore our curated collection of Midjourney prompts and sref styles for V8.2 and every recent model. Copy, customize, and create stunning AI art instantly.
Last updated: September 2026 · Current model: Midjourney V8.2