Midjourney Aspect Ratio: Everything You Need to Know

Ion Prodan

Apr 20, 2023 • 7 min read

Besides other midjourney parameters, the midjourney aspect ratio plays a crucial role in determining how the final creation will look. By default, the midjourney bot will use a 1:1 (square) aspect ratio, but sometimes, this is not the best option.

In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about aspect ratios and give examples of how to use them on Midjourney.

But first, what's the aspect ratio?

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What is the Aspect Ratio?

The aspect ratio is the connection between the width and height of an image or video. It is expressed as a ratio, with the width always coming first.

Although the aspect ratio is not widely understood, it is commonly defined by two numbers separated by a colon, such as 7:4 or 3:2.

For instance, a 4:3 aspect ratio means that the width of the image is four units and the height is three units. Resulting in a wider image.

How to change the Midjourney aspect ratio

The '--aspect' or '--ar' parameter can be used to change the midjourney aspect ratio of the image.

The default midjourney aspect ratio parameter is 1:1 (square).

It supports any aspect ratio from 1:1 up to the maximum aspect ratio for each model.

Let's see some examples:

/imagine prompt: a landscape --ar 4:3

a landscape --ar 4:3 --v 5 — A simple landscape with a 4:3 aspect ratio

It's important to notice, that the aspect ratio impacts the shape and composition of a generated image.

Let's see the same prompt with different midjourney aspect ratio parameter:

/imagine prompt: a landscape --ar 7:3

a landscape --ar 7:3 --seed 3364120124 --v 5 — A simple landscape with a 7:3 aspect ratio

The aspect ratio parameter of 7:3 is more suitable for this image - it delivers its cozy feel!

However, the final upscaled image can be slightly changed during image generation or upscaling.

For instance: prompts using --ar 16:9 (1.78) create images with a 7:4 (1.75) aspect ratio.

What Maximum Aspect Ratios Does Midjourney Support?

Different Midjourney versions have different maximum aspect ratios.

For example, Midjourney v5 supports any aspect ratio, while version 4c (default) supports 1:2 to 2:1 only.

Version 4a or 4b, on the other hand, only supports width to height ratios of 1:1, 2:3, or 3:2, and the aspect ratios for version 3 are 5:2 to 2:5.

Test/Testp supports aspect ratios of 3:2 to 2:3, while Niji supports 1:2 to 2:1.

V5 has varying ratios in some aspects, such as 100x1 in pixels, but aspect ratios aren't necessarily equivalent to resolution. An image could be 1000px x 1000px or 1500px x 1500px with aspect ratios of 1:2.

Maximum aspect ratios for different Midjourney versions
Version	Ratios
V5	Any*
V4c	1:2 to 2:1
V4a or 4b	1:1, 2:3 or 3:2
V3	5:2 to 2:5
Test / Testp	3:2 to 2:3
Niji	1:2 to 2:1
*Aspect ratios greater than 2:1 are experimental and may produce unpredictable results.

Why Does Aspect Ratio Matter?

Aspect ratio matters because it can impact how an image is perceived by the viewer. It affects the composition of the image, and how it fits on different screens and devices.

For example, here's a portrait photo generated in a 9:16 aspect ratio:

/imagine prompt: A black and white portrait photo of a young woman, with her hair pulled back and a soft smile on her lips. --ar 9:16 --testp

A black and white portrait photo of a young woman in a **9:16 aspect ratio**

And here's the same prompt, but in a 16:9 aspect ratio:

/imagine prompt: A black and white portrait photo of a young woman, with her hair pulled back and a soft smile on her lips. --ar 16:9 --testp

A black and white portrait photo of a young woman in a **16:9 aspect ratio**

Using a film in the wrong aspect ratio can result in distorted images that don't look professional or visually appealing.

Commonly used Midjourney Ratios, separated by a colon

There are several commonly used midjourney aspect ratios in different scenarios:

--ar 1:1 - Default midjourney aspect ratio.
--ar 3:2 - Common in print photography.
--ar 4:3 - Commonly used for older televisions and computer monitors.
--ar 5:4 - Common frame and print ratio.
--ar 7:4 - Close to HD TV screens and smartphone screens.
--ar 16:9 - Common for widescreen displays.
--ar 9:16 - Vertical equivalent of 16:9 and is commonly used for portraits.

Let's see some examples!

Portrait Midjourney aspect ratio prompts

/imagine prompt: A hyper-realistic portrait of a young biracial woman, with curly hair and piercing green eyes, wearing a colorful scarf.::2.5 Portrait::2.0 Macro lens::1.5 Colorful::1.7 --ar 9:16 --v 5

A hyper-realistic portrait of a young biracial woman with a 9:16 aspect ratio

A hyper-realistic portrait of a young biracial woman with a 4:5 aspect ratio

Print Midjourney aspect ratio prompts

/imagine prompt: A watercolor flamingo sticker, with a long neck and pink feathers. A symbol of elegance and grace.::3 Watercolor flamingo::2 Long neck and pink feathers::1.5 Sticker --ar 3:2 --v 5

A watercolor flamingo sticker with a 3:2 aspect ratio

A watercolor flamingo with a 2:3 aspect ratio

The Landscape Midjourney aspect ratio prompts

/imagine prompt: A breathtaking sunset over the ocean, with hues of pink, orange, and gold painting the sky. Waves crash against the shore, creating a symphony of sound that echoes through the air. The warm light of the sun casts long shadows across the sand, and seagulls can be heard calling in the distance.::3 Breathtaking sunset over the ocean::2 Hues of pink, orange, and gold in the sky::1.5 Stunning landscape --ar 16:9 --v 5

/imagine prompt: A majestic mountain range, with snow-capped peaks towering high into the clouds. The landscape is dotted with evergreen trees and wildflowers, and a river rushes through the valley below. The air is crisp and fresh, and the sound of birdsong fills the air.::3 Majestic mountain range::2 Snow-capped peaks towering high into the clouds::1.5 Stunning landscape --ar 5:4 --v 5

HD TV Midjourney aspect ratio prompt

💡

/imagine prompt: A mesmerizing aurora borealis display, with vibrant shades of green and purple swirling across the night sky. The lights dance and flicker, casting an ethereal glow over the surrounding landscape. Snow-capped mountains and pine trees are silhouetted against the shimmering sky, adding depth and dimension to the scene.::3 Aurora borealis display::2 Vibrant shades of green and purple::1.5 Suitable for HD TV --ar 7:4 --v 5

How to Choose the Right Aspect Ratio

Choosing the right aspect ratio depends on several factors, including the content type, the intended use, the overall image, and the audience.

Here are some tips for selecting the right aspect ratio for your content:

Consider the content type - Different content types may benefit from different aspect ratios. For example, a cinematic video might benefit from a wider aspect ratio, while a social media post might benefit from a square aspect ratio.
Think about the intended use - Think about where your content will be displayed and how it will be viewed. If it will primarily be viewed on mobile devices, a vertical aspect ratio might be more appropriate.
Know your audience - Feel your target audience and their preferences. For example, younger audiences might be more likely to engage with content that is optimized for mobile devices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, aspect ratio plays a crucial role in creating images that have intricate details and attractive content.

Choosing the right one - the work is half done, try different ratios and see what's the best for you. Bookmark this page, and come back whenever you feel stuck, go to the commonly used midjourney aspect ratios, and try again!

The results should amaze you!

Play with different versions and styles, for example, I like how --testp model works with portraits, try it.

Overall, the end product depends more on your imagination and a few settings 😎.

Happy Prompting!

P.S. Do You want something cool to experiment with while playing with Midjourney? Try Midjourney --weird parameter!