Midjourney Aspect Ratio User Guide

How to Change Aspect Ratio in Midjourney?

To be specific, there are three ways to change the aspect ratio of a generated image in Midjourney:

Method 1. Using the --aspect or --ar parameter

The --aspect or --ar parameter allows you to specify the desired aspect ratio of your generated image. For example, to generate an image with an aspect ratio of 16:9, you would use the following prompt:
/imagine A vibrant scene from your latest gaming video --ar 16:9

• A vibrant scene from your latest gaming video: the description to your image.
• --ar 16:9: the aspect ratio you need.

Method 2. Using the Zoom Out feature

The Zoom Out option allows you to extend the canvas of an upscaled image beyond its original boundaries without changing the content of the original image. The newly expanded canvas will be filled-in using guidance from the prompt and the original image. The Zoom Out feature can be found on every upscaled image. To change aspect ratio in Midjourney using this method, you have to upscale your image in Midjourney first.

Let's start with the following prompt:
/imagine vibrant California poppies

Step 1. Upscale your image.

Select the image you want to adjust the aspect ratio of. Use the U buttons (U1, U2, U3, U4) to upscale it. Upscaling increases the image resolution, allowing for proper zooming out.

• U1: Upscale first image.
• U2: Upscale second image.
• U3: Upscale third image.
• U4: Upscale fourth image.

Step 2. Open the Zoom Out Options.

After upscaling, you'll see Zoom Out 2x, Zoom Out 1.5x, Custom Zoom, and Make Square (The Make Square button will appear underneath non-square upscaled images.) options. Just choose one to change the aspect ratio of the generated image.

• Zoom Out 2x & Zoom Out 1.5x



• Custom Zoom

The Custom Zoom button lets you choose how much to zoom out on an image. Custom Zoom button under an upscaled image will pop up a dialogue box where you enter a custom value for --zoom. --zoom accepts values between 1-2. A value of 1 will maintain the original zoom level. Values closer to 2 will zoom out further, revealing more of the surrounding area. For example, I change my aspect ratio to 16:9.



• Make Square

Make Square allows you to modify the aspect ratio of a non-square image in order to make it square. In case the original aspect ratio is wide (landscape), the image will be expanded vertically. Conversely, if it is tall (portrait), the image will be expanded horizontally.

Method 3. Using the Pan option

The Pan option in Midjourney allows you to extend the canvas of an image in a chosen direction without altering the original content. This can be a helpful tool for subtly changing the aspect ratio of your image. The emoji ← → ↑↓ also indicates which way the image will be expanded.

Step 1. Select the image you want to adjust the aspect ratio of. Use the U buttons (U1, U2, U3, U4) to upscale it. Upscaling increases the image resolution, making it suitable for panning.

Step 2. After upscaling, you'll see directional arrows (upward, downward, leftward, and rightward) displayed below the image. These are the Pan buttons.

Step 3. Click the desired arrow depending on the direction you want to extend the canvas. For example, clicking the left arrow expands the canvas to the left.

• ←: --ar 3:2 - Pan Left



• →: --ar 3:2 - Pan Right



• ↑: --ar 2:3 - Pan Up



• ↓: --ar 2:3 - Pan Down

Midjourney will analyze your original image and prompt to fill the newly created space with content that complements the existing image. You can only pan the image once in the same direction. For example, if you pan left once, you cannot pan left again with the same image. However, you can continue panning in the opposite direction (right) as long as the image resolution allows.

Panning can significantly increase the image size. If the image becomes too large for Discord to display directly, you'll receive a download link for the panned image. The Pan option doesn't directly change the aspect ratio but extends the canvas in a specific direction. You might need to crop the image later to achieve the desired aspect ratio.

Part 2: Midjourney Aspect Ratio Prompts

In addition to using the --aspect or --ar parameter or the Zoom Out feature, you can also use prompts to control the aspect ratio of your generated images. For example, to generate an image with an aspect ratio of 16:9, you could use the following prompt:
/imagine a landscape painting in the style of Van Gogh with an aspect ratio of 16:9

To save time, you can ask ChatGPT or Gemini to create and collect some aspect ratio prompts for Midjourney to generate images quickly and precisely. For example:

Instagram Feed Post (1:1 or 4:5):

• /imagine A close-up portrait photo of a person smiling --aspect 1:1
• /imagine A minimalist geometric pattern design --aspect 4:5

Instagram Story (9:16):

• /imagine A vertical collage showcasing your recent travels --aspect 9:16
• /imagine A timelapse video of the sunset --aspect 9:16

YouTube Thumbnail (16:9):

• /imagine A vibrant scene from your latest gaming video --aspect 16:9
• /imagine A catchy title card for your educational vlog --aspect 16:9

Facebook Feed Post (4:3 or 16:9):

• /imagine A wide landscape photo of a national park --aspect 16:9
• /imagine A group photo of friends at a gathering --aspect 4:3

Facebook Cover Photo (16:9 or 3:2):

• /imagine A panoramic view of a city skyline at night --aspect 16:9
• /imagine A professional headshot for your business page --aspect 3:2

Blog Post Banner (16:9 or 4:3):

• /imagine A photomontage related to the blog post topic --aspect 16:9
• /imagine A title card with a captivating illustration --aspect 4:3

Presentation Slide (16:9):

• /imagine A clean and minimal chart displaying data --aspect 16:9
• /imagine A diagram explaining a complex process --aspect 16:9

Desktop Wallpaper (16:9 or wider):

• /imagine A high-resolution photo of a scenic mountain range --aspect 16:9
• /imagine A collection of your favorite artwork displayed in a gallery style --aspect 16:9

Part 3: How to Solve Midjourney Aspect Ratio Not Working

There are a few reasons why your Midjourney aspect ratio prompt might not be working as expected:

• Incorrect Syntax: Double-check your aspect ratio parameter syntax. It should be --aspect width:height or --ar width:height. For example, --aspect 16:9 or --ar 4:3.
• Unsupported Aspect Ratio: Midjourney might not support the specific aspect ratio you're trying to use. The maximum supported ratio is generally 2:1.
• Prompt Interference: If your prompt includes an image as a reference, it might override the aspect ratio parameter. Midjourney might prioritize the image's original aspect ratio or add color to fill the additional space based on the prompt.

So, here are some solutions depending on the cause:

Solution 1. Verify syntax

Ensure you've typed the aspect ratio parameter correctly (--aspect width:height or --ar width:height). Also, --aspect must use whole numbers. For instance, use 139:100 instead of 1.39:1.

Solution 2. Check Midjourney supported aspect ratios

Consult Midjourney's documentation to confirm the supported aspect ratios for your specific model. Choose a supported ratio if the one you're using isn't listed. As of now, the maximum supported ratio of Midjourney is generally 2:1.

Maximum aspect ratio for different Midjourney versions

Solution 3. Separate image reference prompt

If you're using an image reference in your prompt, try separating the aspect ratio parameter. Just create two separate prompts: The first describes the desired content and style. The second specifies the aspect ratio using the --aspect or --ar parameter.

Here's an example:

Original Prompt (might not work):
/imagine a landscape painting of mountains at sunset, with an aspect ratio of 16:9 (reference image here)

Corrected Prompt (separate prompts):
/imagine a landscape painting of mountains at sunset (reference image here)
/imagine --aspect 16:9

Solution 4. Try Zoom Out feature

If adjusting the prompt syntax doesn't work, consider using the Zoom Out feature after generating the image. This allows you to adjust the aspect ratio by cropping or revealing more content around the existing image.

Conclusion

By understanding how to change the aspect ratio of your images in Midjourney, you can create images that are perfectly suited for your needs. Whether you are creating a profile picture, a social media post, or a wallpaper for your phone, Midjourney gives you the flexibility to create stunning images in any aspect ratio.

This user guide provides you with the tools and information you need to master aspect ratio control in Midjourney. Now go forth and unleash your creative potential!

Additional Resources:
Midjourney Documentation: Aspect Ratio: https://docs.midjourney.com/docs/aspect-ratios