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Midjourney image weight is controlled with the --iw parameter. It determines how strongly an Image Prompt influences a generation relative to your written prompt: higher values give the image prompt a bigger impact, but do not guarantee an exact or predictable result.
Midjourney’s Image Prompts documentation lists a default of 1, with ranges of 0–3 for V8.1 and V7 and 0–2 for Niji 7. V8.2 is the current default version, but the cited Image Prompts page does not specify a numeric range for it. Check the documentation for the model you select before choosing a value.
What does Midjourney image weight do?
--iw means image weight. It changes the relative influence of an image supplied as an Image Prompt. Midjourney says that choosing a higher weight gives the Image Prompt a bigger impact on the finished image.
It is an influence control, not a guarantee of similarity or an exact-copy setting. Midjourney describes reference images as inspiration that can guide content, composition, and color. Describe the final image you want rather than asking the system to modify the reference. For precise changes to an existing image, use the Editor.
For painting and illustration work, this distinction matters: a reference can guide composition, palette, subject, and other visual cues at once. A higher weight increases its influence, but Midjourney does not promise a particular or linear visual effect.
Current image-weight defaults and ranges
Midjourney’s Image Prompts documentation lists these model-specific defaults and ranges. Its Version page marks Image Prompts and Image Weight as supported in V8.1, V8.2, V7, and V6, but the Image Prompts page does not give numeric ranges for V8.2 or V6.
| Model | Documented default | Documented range |
|---|---|---|
| V8.1 | 1 |
0–3 |
| V7 | 1 |
0–3 |
| Niji 7 | 1 |
0–2 |
| V8.2 and V6 | Not specified on the Image Prompts page | Not specified on the Image Prompts page |
Midjourney’s Version page says V8.2 became the default version on July 24, 2026. Version status and supported ranges can change, so check the current Image Prompts documentation for the selected model.
How to write the --iw syntax
Use an image prompt, describe the desired image, then place the parameter at the end:
[image prompt] descriptive text for the desired image --iw 1.5
This illustrates syntax only, not a recommended value. Before using a numeric value, confirm that it is within the range documented for your selected model.
Midjourney says parameters belong at the end of the text prompt, with a space before the dashes and no punctuation inside the parameter. For example:
https://example.com/reference.jpg painterly coastal landscape, muted ochre and blue palette --iw 1.5 --ar 3:2
The parameter name is --iw, not --image-weight. For more syntax guidance, see Midjourney’s Parameter List.
How to explore different image-weight values
There is no universal best value. The official material gives a control direction and model-specific ranges, not a setting that guarantees a particular look. To explore the control, keep the text prompt and reference image constant, compare different values valid for your model, and observe how the result balances the image prompt against the written description.
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- Crop it to the final aspect ratio if preserving composition matters; Midjourney recommends matching the crop to the intended aspect ratio.
- Write a description of the final image you want, rather than asking Midjourney to modify the reference.
- Start with the documented default if one is listed for your selected model.
- Try other values within that model’s documented range, changing only the weight while keeping the prompt and reference constant.
- Compare how closely each result follows the reference versus the written description.
Image weight versus other Midjourney weights
| Goal | Feature | Main control |
|---|---|---|
| Influence generation with an image prompt | Image Prompt | --iw |
| Transfer visual look and feel | Style Reference | --sref, --sw |
| Guide a person’s likeness or an object’s form in V7 | Omni Reference | --oref, --ow |
| Prioritize separate written concepts | Multi-Prompt weights | :: |
| Make targeted changes to an existing image | Editor | Editor workflow |
--iw controls the influence of an Image Prompt. It is not the same as --sw for Style Reference strength, --ow for Omni Reference weight, or Multi-Prompt weights for written concepts.
For V7, Midjourney documents Omni Reference for using a person’s likeness or an object’s form. Test --oref and --ow rather than treating --iw as a character-consistency switch. Omni Reference can be combined with Image Prompts and Style References; see Midjourney’s Omni Reference documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Midjourney image weight do?
It changes how strongly an Image Prompt influences a generation. Midjourney says a higher weight gives the image prompt a bigger impact, without promising an exact result.
What is the default Midjourney image weight?
The Image Prompts documentation lists 1 as the default for V8.1, V7, and Niji 7. It does not provide a numeric default for V8.2 or V6 on that page.
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What is the documented --iw range?
The Image Prompts page lists 0–3 for V8.1 and V7, and 0–2 for Niji 7. It does not specify numeric ranges there for V8.2 or V6.
Is V8.2 the Midjourney default version?
Yes. Midjourney’s Version page says V8.2 became the default on July 24, 2026. Check the current documentation for version and feature changes.
Does a higher --iw copy the image exactly?
No. An Image Prompt is inspiration for a new generation. Higher weight increases its influence, but does not guarantee an exact copy or a particular visual outcome.
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