Mastering Aspect Ratios in Midjourney (–AR) Made Easy!

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Let’s talk Midjourney aspect ratios – no fluff, just the good stuff. The biggest technical/work-related benefit of using aspect ratios is to make sure your images don’t look awkward on different platforms or devices. And trust me, I know my audience here at Run The Prompts, and looking awkward is something all of you are just too used to. 

We’re going to cover the basics, how to adjust them, deal with version differences, and pick the best aspect ratios in Midjourney for various needs. Let’s have an aspect ratio party.

Aspect Ratio Basics

Aspect ratio is just the relationship between the width and height of an image. It’s expressed in a format like 2:1, which means the image is twice as wide as it is tall. 

The aspect ratio formula is: Width: Height (Example: 2:1)

Midjourney’s default is a square 1:1 ratio, making images as wide as they are tall, usually 1024×1024 pixels. 

If you’re scratching your head over any part of this section, no problem! But let’s hit the pause button here. Maybe think about brushing up on some basics or even diving back into the classroom to become a schoolboy again. Trust me, it’ll make all the difference.

How to Adjust the Aspect Ratio in Midjourney

Midjourney lets you tweak the aspect ratio of your awesome creation to fit your vision or the requirements of the platform you’re designing for. It’s really easy to do.

To do it, just add “–AR” to the end of your prompt, followed by a space, followed by your desired ratio. 

Here are two examples of a Thailand beach prompt to create something that you may have overlooked at your grandparent’s house years ago:

–AR 2:1

(Copy/Paste into Midjourney)
An idyllic scene of a Thailand beach at noon, where the sun is high, and the crystal-clear turquoise waters sparkle under its brilliance. The environment is vibrant, and full of life with colorful marine creatures visible in the shallow waters, and lush tropical vegetation framing the sandy shore. The style is cubism which captures the dynamic play of light and shadow. –ar 2:1 –v 6.0

–AR 2:3

To use 2:3, use the same prompt as the one above. Just change “–ar 2:1” to “–ar 2:3”. Here’s the result:

This quick and easy parameter opens up a lot of creative flexibility, allowing for everything from portrait to landscape orientations and beyond.

Understanding Version Limitations

Here’s where it gets a bit technical, but not really. Just bear with me. 

via GIPHY

Different versions of Midjourney have different capabilities. 

Versions 5 and above are pretty flexible, letting you play around with any aspect ratio. 

Version 4, though, has its limits, restricting you to a maximum of 2:1 or 1:2. The good news is Version 4 is basically garbage at this point compared to Version 6 (the current version). Unless you want to create pixel art, just use Version 6 and you’ll be good.

Choosing the Right Aspect Ratio in Midjourney

This part is more art than science. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most popular aspect ratios and what they are typically used for:

• Square – 1:1 – Versatile but may not suit every project. Typically the aspect ratio for profile photos.
• Prints – 2:3 and 3:2 – Ideal for prints, offering a classic photographic look.
• 5:4 and 4:5 – Perfect for phone and TV screens, fitting modern display dimensions.
• Portrait – 9:16 – Good for portrait photos and vertical panoramic images. 
• Landscape – 16:9 – The go-to for monitor displays, widely used and popular.

Wrapping it up

Understanding aspect ratios in Midjourney is about ensuring your images work where they’re supposed to, from social media to framed prints, but also ensuring your art looks as incredible as possible. It’s not rocket science, but getting it right can significantly enhance the perception of your work. With an extremely small amount of knowledge and practice, you’ll find the perfect AR for each of your images in no time.