Midjourney is an AI-powered text-to-image generator that can transform your words into stunning visuals.
One of the key features that make midjourney stand out is its ability to manipulate aspect ratios, giving you full control over the format of your generated images.
This article is a complete beginner’s guide to the midjourney aspect ratio parameter. You will learn what exactly is an aspect ratio. You will also discover the different types of custom aspect ratios and how it impacts your creations.
Understanding aspect ratio
The phrase “aspect ratio” refers to the proportionality between an image’s width and height. Typically, it’s represented by a pair of numbers divided by a colon. Examples include 10:15 and 18:5.
The aspect ratio plays a vital role in determining an image’s layout, affecting its presentation across various devices or media platforms.
For example, an image with equal width and height has an aspect ratio of 1:1, which is a square.
On the other hand, an image meant for YouTube videos typically has an aspect ratio of 16:9.
The basis of midjourney aspect ratio parameter
In Midjourney, the aspect ratio parameter lets you customize the shape/dimensions of your images.
By default, Midjourney makes square pictures with 1:1 equal aspect ratio.
But you can adjust the dimensions to make images that are wider or taller. It’s a simple feature to use, and it makes a big difference in how your pictures look. This means you can make pictures perfect for different devices or use cases.
How to add custom aspect ratios in midjourney
Adjusting the aspect ratio in Midjourney is an easy task. When generating an artwork, you just need to include the aspect ratio parameter at the end of your prompt.
The parameter is –aspect ratio width:height or –ar width:height.
For example, if you want an image for your iPhone wallpaper, you should type something like this:
“/imagine prompt:a beautiful tropical beach landscape –ar 9:16”.
This command will create a tall picture of the beach that will fit perfectly on your phone screen.
Why midjourney bot shows invalid aspect ratio?
There are many reasons why you might encounter an error when adding custom aspect ratios in your prompt. At times, the Midjourney bot might simply ignore this parameter.
The most common reason for this is incorrect formatting. Your aspect ratio command should be in the format –ar width:height or –aspect ratio width:height.
So, it is important to check for any spacing problems. You should also confirm that you are using a colon, not a semicolon.
For more information on how you can fix midjourney aspect ratio issues, click here.
Changing aspect ratio after generating an image in midjourney
In the past, it was impossible to change the aspect ratio of existing images in midjourney. Your only options were to save the image and crop it with editing tools like Photoshop.
Alternatively, you could re-generate the image with the same seed and your new aspect ratio in the prompt. The only problem was that this method would not produce an identical image.
But since the release of midjourney V5.2, you can now change the aspect ratio of your existing image with the custom zoom feature.
To do this,
- Generate your images with the “/imagine” command and your prompt.
- Upscale one of the images in the grid.
- Click the “custom zoom” button under the upscaled image options. A pop-up window will appear.
- Change the aspect ratio to your new dimensions.
- Click submit.
If you would like to learn more about changing the aspect ratio in midjourney, click here.
For more info about the zoom out feature, click here.
Types of aspect ratios in midjourney
Midjourney can make pictures in many different dimensions, so you can use them for different purposes.
Here are some standard aspect ratios and what you might use them for:
- 1:1: Used for social media feeds such as Instagram. Great for profile pictures and icons.
- 16:9: The normal dimensions for US digital TV and YouTube videos.
- 17:22: Great for 8.5 x 11 inches print books.
- 9:16: The standard dimensions for mobile images and social media platforms like Tiktok, Youtube shorts, and Instagram Reels.
- 3:2: The standard for landscape images with shorter widths.
If you would want to learn more about the standard aspect ratios and what they are used for, click here.
Midjourney aspect ratio examples
Here is an example of how to use the aspect ratio parameter in your midjourney prompt:
a beautiful girl, wearing polka dots hat on her head, in the style of surreal creatures, light red and cyan, playfully dark, poodlepunk, playful coloration, dark white and red --ar 51:91 –s 175
Click here to see more midjourney aspect ratio prompts with image examples.
Midjourney aspect ratio resolution and sizes
By default, the midjourney maximum image resolution is 1024 x 1024 pixels. But this number increases or decreases based on the aspect ratio you specify.
Below are examples of common aspect ratios and the generated image resolution in pixels.
| Aspect ratio | Weight (px) | Height (px) |
|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | 1024 | 1024 |
| 9:16 | 816 | 1456 |
| 3:2 | 1344 | 896 |
| 16:9 | 1456 | 816 |
| 4:5 | 960 | 1200 |
| 5:7 | 928 | 1312 |
| 16:10 | 1378 | 864 |
| 2:3 | 896 | 1344 |
| 3:1 | 1904 | 640 |
| 32:9 | 2048 | 576 |
| 4:3 | 1232 | 928 |
| 21:9 | 1680 | 720 |
| 11:14 | 976 | 1232 |
| 2:1 | 1536 | 768 |
| 17:22 | 960 | 1248 |
How does panning affect aspect ratio?
When you pan an upscaled image in midjourney, you are either adding details to the left/right or up/down. By doing this, you change the aspect ratio.
This means that when you pan an upscaled image left or right, you increase its width; making the image wider.
On the other hand, by clicking the pan up or down button, you increase the length, which makes the image taller.
It is also worth noting that, unlike the zoom feature, using the panning tool in midjourney increases the overall size of the image.
Frequently asked questions
Even though the aspect ratio parameter is straightforward, some people still struggle to make it work.
Here are some common midjourney aspect ratio questions and their answers:
How to calculate the aspect ratio of an image?
You can determine the aspect ratio by dividing the width by the height of the image. There are also many free aspect ratio calculators available online.
What is the midjourney aspect ratio for v4
In midjourney’s earlier iteration, specifically version 4, you could only use a limited number of custom aspect ratios. V4 supports aspect ratio 1:1, 2:3, 3:2, 1:2, and 2:1.
However, the current version of midjourney has expanded its support for various aspect ratios, offering a much broader selection that caters to a wide range of needs and applications.
Can the aspect ratio in image prompt be changed?
When using an image link in your prompt, midjourney will generate new results that match the aspect ratio of the original image.
If you add a custom aspect ratio in your prompt alongside an image link, the midjourney bot will either squash your generated images or add blank borders to fill the extra space.
What aspect ratio does midjourney v5 support?
In version 5 of Midjourney, you can use any aspect ratio you want, even nonsensical ones such as 90:2.
What is the midjourney aspect ratio for phone wallpaper?
For iPhone and other wallpaper images used for mobile devices, the most common aspect ratio is 9:16.
What is the midjourney aspect ratio for posters?
For posters, a common aspect ratio is 2:3. But depending on the orientation, you can also use 3:2 for landscape posters.
Is there a midjourney aspect ratio code?
The code is also officially known as the parameter.
To set the aspect ratio in Midjourney, you should use –ar or –aspect ratio. It is followed by a single space and the desired image dimensions separated by a colon. I.e. –ar 5:4
What is the midjourney aspect ratio for A4?
For an A4 format, the common aspect ratio is 1:1.41. But since midjourney only accepts whole numbers, you can use an aspect ratio of 2:3 or 3:4.
Can midjourney blend aspect ratios?
You cannot use more than one aspect ratio in your midjourney prompt.
And if you are using the blend feature, you can specify an aspect ratio, or the bot will choose one of the image dimensions.
In my experience, midjourney usually picks the aspect ratio of the first image (image 1) when you blend two or more images together.
What is the best aspect ratio in midjourney?
There is no best aspect ratio in midjourney. The one you choose depends entirely on your specific use case. For instance, 16:9 is common for videos, while 1:1 is common for social media feed posts.
What is the midjourney default aspect ratio?
By default, midjourney generates images in a 1:1 square format.
Can I set the midjourney default aspect ratio?
Yes, you can include the aspect ratio 1:1 in your prompt, but it is not necessary.
If you have already generated an image with a custom dimension and you want to change it: you can use the “make square” button. This will convert your image into a square format.
Best midjourney aspect ratio for Instagram
For Instagram feed posts, the most common aspect ratio is 1:1. You can also use 4:5 for vertical feed posts and 16:9 for landscape posts. The aspect ratio for Instagram stories, reels, and IGTV is 9:16.
What is the midjourney aspect ratio for desktop wallpaper?
For desktop wallpapers, the most common aspect ratio is 16:9. But depending on the dimension of your monitor, you can also use 3:2, 16:10, 32:9, 4:3, or 21:9.
What is the midjourney aspect ratio for Youtube?
For YouTube videos, the most common aspect ratio is 16:9 for long videos and 9:16 for shorts.
What is the wide or landscape midjourney aspect ratio?
For landscape images, the common aspect ratio is 3:2 or 16:9.
What are the vertical or tall midjourney aspect ratios?
For vertical images, a common aspect ratio is 2:3 or 9:16.
What is 1920×1080 pixels in midjourney aspect ratio?
This is a common resolution for widescreen images, which corresponds to a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Final thoughts
Understanding and effectively using the aspect ratio parameter in midjourney can significantly enhance your image generation experience.
Whether you’re aiming for a cinematic effect or a smartphone-friendly format, you now know that the power to shape your creations is at your fingertips.