Midjourney V7 Parameters: Stylize, Weird, Raw and More

Midjourney V7, released April 3, 2025 [S1], introduced a robust set of parameters designed to give creators fine-grained control over their image generations. This guide delves into every key V7 parameter, offering practical examples, decision tables, and recommended combinations to help you unlock the full range of V7's capabilities.

Whether you aim for photorealistic accuracy, surreal artistic interpretations, or consistent character designs, understanding these settings is crucial for mastering Midjourney V7.

Midjourney V7 Parameter Cheat Sheet

This table provides a quick reference for Midjourney V7's core parameters, their effects, and important compatibility notes. For detailed explanations, refer to the sections below.

Parameter	Range/Options	Effect on Output	Key Incompatibilities/Notes
--ar (Aspect Ratio)	1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 3:2, 21:9, etc.	Defines the image's width-to-height ratio.	None
--s (Stylize)	0–1000 (Default: 100)	Controls how strongly Midjourney applies its aesthetic preferences. Low values are literal, high values are artistic.	None
--w (Weird)	0–3000 (Default: 0)	Introduces unexpected, surreal, or unusual elements.	None
--v (Variety)	0–100	Controls how different each image in a 4-image batch is from the others.	None
--oref (Omni Reference)	Image URL	References a source image for style, character, or composition consistency.	V7 only. Incompatible with Fast, Draft, Conversational Mode, q4, Vary Region, Pan, Zoom Out [S3]. Costs twice regular V7 GPU time [S3].
--ow (Omni Weight)	1–1000 (Default: 100)	Controls the influence of --oref. Provider recommends staying below 400 for ordinary stylize conditions [S3].	Only used with --oref.
--raw	No value	Produces images with less automatic aesthetic enhancement, closer to the prompt's literal interpretation.	None
--iw (Image Weight)	0–2	Controls the influence of an image prompt (not --oref).	Only used with image prompts.
--sw (Style Weight)	0–1000	Controls the influence of a style reference (--sref).	Only used with --sref.
--sref (Style Reference)	Image URL	References a source image for stylistic inspiration.	None
--seed	Integer	Sets a specific seed for reproducibility.	None
--no	Keywords	Excludes specified elements from the image.	None
--q (Quality)	0.25, 0.5, 1 (Default: 1)	Controls rendering quality and GPU time. q4 is incompatible with --oref [S3].	q4 incompatible with --oref [S3].
--draft	No value	Generates lower-resolution, faster images for rapid iteration.	Incompatible with --oref [S3].
--tile	No value	Creates seamless, repeatable patterns.	None
--chaos	0–100	Controls the randomness and variety of initial image grids.	None
--version	v7, v8.1, v8.2, niji 7, etc.	Specifies the Midjourney model version to use.	Omni Reference is V7 only [S1]. V8.1/V8.2 support HD but not Omni Reference [S1].
--hd / --sd	No value	HD for high-definition, SD for standard-definition.	V8.1/V8.2 support HD, but editing an HD image through Pan, Zoom Out, Edit, or Vary Region returns an SD result [S1]. Omni Reference is V7 only, which does not explicitly support HD/SD in the same way as V8.1/V8.2.
--niji	7	Activates the Niji model, optimized for anime and illustrative styles.	Niji 7 is compatible with V7 [S1].
--repeat	Integer	Generates multiple jobs from a single prompt.	None
--fast, --relax, --turbo	No value	Speed modes for generation.	--fast incompatible with --oref [S3].

Composition and Aspect-Ratio Parameters

These parameters primarily influence the structural and spatial characteristics of your generated images.

Aspect Ratio (--ar)

The --ar parameter defines the width-to-height ratio of your image. Choosing the right aspect ratio is fundamental for framing your subject and fitting your output medium.

Parameter	Ratio	Best For
--ar 1:1	Square	Social media (Instagram), avatars
--ar 16:9	Wide	Hero images, YouTube thumbnails, presentations
--ar 9:16	Tall	Stories, mobile content, Pinterest
--ar 3:2	Classic photo	Photography prints, editorial
--ar 21:9	Ultra-wide	Cinematic, panoramic compositions

Example:

a serene landscape with a winding river --ar 16:9

Chaos (--chaos)

The --chaos parameter influences how varied the initial image grid results are. A higher value leads to more diverse and unexpected compositions within the grid.

• Range: 0–100 (Default: 0)
• Effect: Higher values introduce more randomness, potentially leading to wildly different interpretations of your prompt in a single grid.
• Use Case: Ideal for brainstorming and exploring a wide range of visual ideas from a single prompt.

Example:

an ancient forest, misty and mysterious --chaos 75

Tile (--tile)

Use --tile to generate images that can be seamlessly repeated to create patterns or textures. This is invaluable for graphic design, backgrounds, and textile patterns.

Example:

intricate floral pattern, art nouveau style --tile

Stylize, Weirdness, Variety and Raw

These parameters allow you to fine-tune the aesthetic and creative interpretation of your prompts, from subtle artistic polish to extreme surrealism.

Stylize (--s)

The --stylize parameter is a core setting in Midjourney V7, controlling how aggressively the model applies its built-in aesthetic preferences. The default value for V7 is --s 100 [S2].

• Range: 0–1000

Stylize Value Guide

Range	Effect	Best For
0–50	Raw, literal interpretation; minimal artistic enhancement.	Product photography, documentation, technical diagrams, reference images
50–150	Subtle enhancement; balanced between prompt adherence and aesthetic polish.	Professional photography, realistic portraits, clean visuals
150–400	Moderate artistic boost; noticeable Midjourney aesthetic.	Marketing visuals, editorial content, general creative work
400–700	Strong Midjourney aesthetic; enhanced colors, dramatic compositions.	Brand campaigns, artistic work, hero images
700–1000	Maximum drama and style; highly artistic interpretation.	Concept art, abstract work, maximum creative impact, unique visual statements

Example Usage:

Low stylize (raw photorealism):

professional headshot of a businesswoman in a gray suit, neutral office background --s 50

High stylize (dramatic editorial):

professional headshot of a businesswoman in a gray suit, neutral office background --s 750

Weirdness (--w)

--weirdness introduces unexpected, surreal, or unusual elements into your images. It's Midjourney's tool for breaking out of conventional compositions and exploring the bizarre.

• Range: 0–3000 (Default: 0)

Weirdness Value Guide

Range	Effect
0	Off (default); conventional compositions.
100–500	Subtle oddities; unusual angles, slight surreal touches, unexpected juxtapositions.
500–1500	Noticeably strange; unexpected objects, impossible perspectives, dreamlike qualities.
1500–3000	Maximum weirdness; abstract, barely recognizable elements, highly experimental.

When to Use Weirdness:

• Album covers and music artwork
• Surrealist art projects
• Dream sequences and conceptual work
• Breaking creative blocks (generate at high weirdness, then refine)

Example:

a peaceful garden scene --w 1200

At --w 1200, the garden might feature flowers made of glass, trees growing upside down, or a sky with multiple moons, creating a distinctly surreal atmosphere.

Variety (--v)

--variety controls how different each image in a 4-image batch is from the others. This parameter is excellent for exploring multiple interpretations of a single prompt quickly.

• Range: 0–100

Variety Value Guide

Range	Effect	Best For
0–25	Very similar images; minor variations.	Fine-tuning a specific look, generating slight alternatives
25–50	Moderate variation; distinct but related interpretations.	General creative work, exploring options
50–75	High variation; significantly different compositions and styles.	Exploring different interpretations, concept development
75–100	Maximum diversity; wildly different images.	Brainstorming, finding unexpected directions, breaking creative molds

Combining with Stylize:

• High variety + low stylize: Diverse but raw interpretations.
• Low variety + high stylize: Consistent dramatic look across similar images.
• High variety + high stylize: Wildly different artistic takes, each with strong aesthetic polish.

Raw Mode (--raw)

The --raw parameter instructs Midjourney to produce images with less automatic aesthetic enhancement, adhering more closely to the literal interpretation of your prompt. This can be useful for achieving a more photographic or less "AI-generated" look.

Example:

portrait of an elderly fisherman, weathered face, dramatic lighting --raw --s 100

SREF, Image Prompts, Omni Reference and Weights

These advanced parameters allow you to guide Midjourney's generation using existing images, providing powerful tools for consistency and style transfer.

Omni Reference (--oref, --ow)

Omni Reference is a powerful V7-specific feature for maintaining consistency across multiple images [S1]. It allows you to reference a source image for character, object, or vehicle consistency, or to carry over a general style [S3].

How Omni-Reference Works:

prompt text here --oref [image URL] --ow [weight 1-1000]

• --oref: Points to a reference image URL.
• --ow: Controls how strongly the reference influences the output. The default is 100, and the provider recommends staying below 400 in ordinary stylize conditions [S3].

Important Notes on Omni Reference:

• Omni Reference automatically uses V7 [S3].
• It costs twice the regular V7 GPU time [S3].
• It is incompatible with Fast, Draft, Conversational Mode, q4, Vary Region, Pan, and Zoom Out [S3].

Omni-Reference Weight Guide (--ow)

Weight	Effect	Use Case
50–150	Subtle stylistic influence; general mood or color palette.	Matching a general aesthetic, light brand consistency
150–400	Strong style transfer; consistent visual language.	Consistent visual language across images, strong aesthetic matching
400–600	Character/object consistency; maintaining identity across scenes.	Same character in different scenes, consistent product shots
600–900	Near-exact replication; strong compositional and detail adherence.	Variations of a specific composition, minor alterations to a source image

Practical Examples:

Brand-consistent marketing:

product launch announcement visual, sleek and modern --oref [brand_reference_image_URL] --ow 300 --s 400

Character consistency:

explorer character in a jungle setting, full body --oref [character_reference_image_URL] --ow 550 --s 200

Image Prompts and Image Weight (--iw)

Beyond Omni Reference, Midjourney V7 also supports traditional image prompts, where you include an image URL at the beginning of your text prompt. The --iw (image weight) parameter controls how much influence this image prompt has on the generated output.

• Range: 0–2 (Default: 1)
• Effect: Higher values make the output more closely resemble the image prompt's composition and content.

Example:

[image_URL] a futuristic city at sunset --iw 1.5

Style Reference (--sref, --sw)

--sref allows you to reference an image purely for its stylistic qualities, without necessarily copying its content or composition. --sw (style weight) controls the intensity of this stylistic influence.

• --sref: Image URL
• --sw Range: 0–1000 (Default: 100)

Example:

a serene landscape, painted in the style of Van Gogh --sref [van_gogh_painting_URL] --sw 250

Parameter Recipes by Use Case

Here are some practical parameter combinations tailored for specific creative goals.

Recipe 1: Photorealistic Product Shot

[product description] on a clean white background, professional studio lighting, shot from slightly above --s 75 --ar 3:2 --fast

Recipe 2: Cinematic Brand Campaign

[scene description], dramatic lighting, film still aesthetic, cinematic color grading --s 700 --ar 21:9 --fast

Recipe 3: Consistent Character Series

[character doing something] in [setting] --oref [character_reference_URL] --ow 550 --s 200 --ar 3:2

Recipe 4: Maximum Creative Exploration

[concept description] --s 600 --w 800 --v 75 --ar 1:1

Recipe 5: Clean Editorial Portrait

portrait of [subject description], neutral background, soft natural light from camera left --s 150 --ar 4:5 --fast

Recipe 6: Rapid Concept Testing

[concept description] --draft --v 75 --ar 16:9 --fast

Common Parameter Conflicts and Unsupported Combinations

While Midjourney V7 offers extensive flexibility, certain parameter combinations are either incompatible or can lead to unexpected, undesirable results. Understanding these limitations is key to efficient generation.

Omni Reference Incompatibilities

As noted in the cheat sheet, --oref is a powerful V7-specific feature but has several known incompatibilities [S3]:

• Speed Modes: Incompatible with --fast and --turbo (only --relax is compatible).
• Draft Mode: Cannot be used with --draft.
• Quality: Incompatible with --q 0.25 (also known as q4).
• Editing Features: Cannot be used with Vary Region, Pan, or Zoom Out.
• Conversational Mode: Not supported.

Overlapping Influence Parameters

Using multiple "intensity" parameters at very high values simultaneously can lead to unpredictable or overly chaotic results. For example:

• High Stylize + High Weirdness: While possible, --s 900 --w 1500 might produce an image that is both highly artistic and extremely surreal, potentially obscuring your original prompt intent. It's often better to focus on one primary aesthetic modifier at a time.
• High Omni Weight + High Image Weight: If you're using both --oref and a traditional image prompt, setting both --ow and --iw very high can create a tug-of-war between the two references, leading to a muddled output.

Recommendation: When experimenting with high values for --s, --w, --ow, or --iw, try to adjust one at a time to understand its individual impact before combining them.

Version-Specific Features

Remember that Omni Reference is a V7-specific feature [S1]. While you can specify --v 7 to use it, newer versions like V8.1 and V8.2 do not support Omni Reference, though they do support HD generation [S1]. Always check the version compatibility for advanced features.

FAQ

What is the default stylize value in Midjourney V7?

The default stylize value in Midjourney V7 is --s 100 [S2]. This provides a moderate level of artistic enhancement. Many users find values between 150 and 400 to be a good balance for polished, yet controlled, results.

Can I use Omni-Reference with any image URL?

Yes, you can use any valid image URL with --oref. However, for best results, use high-quality, clear images with well-defined subjects. Blurry, dark, or cluttered reference images may yield less predictable outcomes.

Does Draft Mode affect the final image quality?

Draft Mode (--draft) generates lower-resolution images more quickly, making it ideal for rapid iteration and concept testing. While the draft images themselves are lower quality, the composition and concept can be carried over. Once you find a draft you like, remove --draft and re-run the prompt to generate a full-quality version.

How do parameters interact with each other?

Parameters generally combine to influence the final image. However, some combinations can lead to unexpected or conflicting results, especially when multiple parameters are set to high intensity (e.g., very high stylize and very high weirdness). A good practice is to adjust one parameter at a time to understand its individual effect before combining them, and to consult the compatibility notes for specific features like Omni Reference.

Conclusion

Midjourney V7's parameter system offers unparalleled control over your AI image generations. By mastering parameters like --stylize, --weirdness, --raw, and the powerful V7-exclusive --oref, you can precisely balance literal interpretation with creative expression. Start by understanding the default behaviors, then experiment with different values and combinations to discover your unique artistic voice.

Practice these parameters and explore Midjourney V7's capabilities on PixMind, where it's available alongside many other advanced AI models.