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Style Reference
Want to match the look and feel of another image? You can provide Midjourney with a Style Reference!
What is a Style Reference?
A Style Reference is a way to capture the visual vibe of an existing image and apply it to your new Midjourney creations. It doesn’t copy objects or people, just the overall style—like colors, medium, textures, or lighting—helping you achieve a consistent visual theme. Style References are compatible with Midjourney versions 6 and later. Video tutorial: Watch this quick video tutorial on Style References below. PausePlay % buffered00:00 05:05 UnmuteMute Disable captionsEnable captions Settings CaptionsDisabledQualityundefinedSpeedNormal CaptionsGo back to previous menu QualityGo back to previous menu SpeedGo back to previous menu 0.5×0.75×Normal1.25×1.5×1.75×2× PIPExit fullscreenEnter fullscreen Beginner’s Guide to Style References (sref) - YouTube Tap to unmute Beginner’s Guide to Style References (sref) Midjourney
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Using a Style Reference
To add an image to your prompt, start by clicking on the image--sref parameter to the end of your prompt, then pasting your image URL. If you want to use multiple images, separate each URL with a space.
Best Practices
- Keep text prompts simple - Avoid adding style words that might conflict with your reference image’s look.
- Add style words selectively - If achieving a specific style is difficult, include descriptive words that match your reference image.
- Focus on content, not instructions - Use your text prompt to describe what you want to see, not how Midjourney should modify the reference image.
Bad Prompt Examples:
Good Prompt Examples:
Style Weight
The style weight parameter--sw, allows you to control how strongly the style of your reference influences your new image. You can set this parameter to any value between 0 and 1000, with the default being --sw 100. If using V7, you may notice that style weight has more impact when used with style codes than with images.
Note:--sw is not compatible with Moodboards.
Style Reference Codes
Instead of uploading an image as your Style Reference, you can use a Style Reference Code to apply a specific look from the Midjourney internal style library. Each numerical code produces a unique visual style, and can be used by adding--sref <code> to the end of your prompt.
Use --sref random in your prompt and Midjourney will apply a random style code. After submitting your prompt, “random” converts to a style code.
Once your prompt has a style code, using rerun/reroll or variations keeps the same style code. If you use --sref random with a permutation, repeat, or V8.1 Draft mode prompt, each image will have a different style code.
You can use the --sw parameter with style codes to adjust the influence they have on your image. You can also mix style codes by using more than one, and combine images with style codes.
You cannot create a style code based on an uploaded image. See the instructions above to use an uploaded image as a Style Reference.
Style Explorer
The Style Explorer is a visual way to discover new style codes and find inspiration for your creations. You can browse style codes, try them instantly, and even save your favorites for later.- Open the Explore Page and click the
Styles tab in the top-right corner
- Use the sorting buttons in the top-left to switch between:
- Random style codes to discover new looks
- Popular style codes favored by the Midjourney community
- Use the search bar and type things like “photographic” or “anime” and the fuzzy search will try to show you corresponding style codes
Try Style to instantly resubmit your current or latest prompt with that style applied
Copy to automatically add its
--srefcode to the Imagine barSearch similar style codes
--sv parameter to choose between them.
--sv 6 is default.
--sv 4 is the old V7 sref model (prior to June 16, 2025).
Each version offers a unique way of interpreting and applying your Style Reference, so experiment and see what works best for you!
Note: Sref random and sref codes are only compatible with --sv 4 and --sv 6
--sv parameter to choose between them. --sv 4 is default. Each version may offer a unique way of interpreting and applying your Style Reference, so experiment and see what works best for you!
--sv 1 The original style reference algorithm, more “vibey”
--sv 2 The second iteration of style references
--sv 3 An updated version of the more “vibey” --sv 1
--sv 4 An updated version of --sv 2
--sv) is not compatible with Moodboards.
• For your prompts to work, you need a text prompt in combination with your Style Reference.
• Your image file should end in .png, .gif, .webp, .jpg, or .jpeg.
• Style Reference can be combined with Character References/ Omni References and Image Prompts.
• When using Midjourney in Discord, individual Style References can also be assigned different weights: --sref URL1::2 URL2::1 URL3::1 For more information on how weights work, see our article on Multi-Prompts & Weights.
• The Style Reference feature was updated between V6 and V7, and older style codes may not produce the same styles anymore. To use old codes, add --sv 4 to your prompt (uses the old V7 model) or switch to V6.
Need Help Getting Started?
Getting Started Guide
In this article
- What is a Style Reference?
- Using a Style Reference
- Best Practices
- Style Weight
- Style Reference Codes
- Style Explorer
- V7 Style Reference Versions
- V6 Style Reference Versions
- More Information
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