1In one sentence
Parameters are the short --codes at the end of a prompt (or sliders in the settings panel) that control shape, version, how artistic, how varied and how strange the picture is.
2New words
- --ar — aspect ratio, the shape: --ar 16:9 wide, --ar 9:16 tall, --ar 1:1 square.
- --v — version: --v 8.2 is the newest model, --v 8.1 the one Midjourney made the default in June 2026; --v 7 gives the older model (still useful for a couple of old features).
- --s (stylize) — how much Midjourney adds its own artistic taste, from 0 to 1000, default 100. Low means "do what I said"; high means "make it beautiful your way".
- --chaos — how different the four pictures are from each other, 0 to 100. Default 0 gives four close cousins; 50 gives four very different ideas.
- --weird — how strange and unexpected, 0 to 3000. Fun for art, useless for a product photo.
- --no — things to leave out: --no text, people.
- --raw — switches off Midjourney's automatic "prettifying" so your words count more. Good for logos, icons, product shots. (Older guides write --style raw; the official parameter list now shows it as --raw.)
- --tile — makes a repeating pattern with no visible seams, for wallpaper, wrapping paper or website backgrounds.
- --q — "quality", how much detail and computer time a picture gets. It still exists, but on the newest versions you simply choose SD or HD in settings instead; typing --hd or --sd at the end of a prompt does the same.
3Why you would want it
Without parameters every picture is square, medium-artistic and similar to the last. With four of them (--ar, --s, --chaos, --raw) you can steer almost anything a business needs. Everything else is for play.
4Try it now
- Click the sliders icon on the right of the Imagine bar. This is the settings panel: the same parameters as buttons and sliders, applied to every prompt until you change them.
- Set the aspect ratio to 4:5 and leave the rest. Close the panel.
- Run: a cinnamon roll on a plate, cafe table, morning light. Then run the same with --s 800 at the end, then with --chaos 60, then with --raw.
- Open each grid and compare: what changed?
5What you will see
The settings panel, with the aspect ratio shape picker, the version and SD/HD choice, three sliders (stylization, weirdness, variety) and the speed buttons.
In your four grids: the --s 800 one looks more like a magazine shot and less like your words; the --chaos 60 one gives four unrelated takes; the --raw one is plainer and more literal.
6Watch out
- A parameter typed in the prompt wins over the settings panel, but only for that prompt. If pictures keep coming out the wrong shape, check the panel.
- Parameters must be at the very end, with a space before each --. Any words after them are ignored.
- Not every parameter works on every version. If one is refused, Midjourney shows a small error; switch to --v 7 only if you need that old feature.
7Go further
Save your favorite shape and stylize as defaults in the panel (Settings, then your defaults). Then read Chapter 1.7 to start using your own photos.