This Midjourney prompts guide starts with a common story. You type "a cat in space" and get something messy. Then you add a few details, and the image suddenly looks like a movie poster. The difference is the prompt, so learning to write one is the fastest way to improve. In seven short steps, you'll learn what a prompt is, a simple formula, real examples, and even how to try video.
Key Takeaways
- A prompt is a short description of the image you want, plus optional settings.
- The best formula is subject, setting, lighting, style and camera feel.
- Parameters such as
--argo at the end of the prompt. - Change one detail at a time, because it shows you what works.
- Midjourney can also animate your images into short video clips.
Step 1: Understand What a Midjourney Prompt Is
A prompt is the text you give Midjourney to describe your image. It can be one line or a few sentences. However, the best ones are clear, not long.
People often ask about "the three types of prompts." There is no official list. Here is a practical way to think about them:
- Text prompts: words that describe what you want.
- Image prompts: a reference picture that guides the look.
- Parameters: short settings, like shape or style strength.
Step 2: Use the Simple Midjourney Prompt Formula
Wondering how to start writing a prompt? Use this order:
Subject + setting + lighting + style + camera feel + parameters
Here is the difference it makes.
Before:
a cat in space
After:
a fluffy orange cat floating inside a cozy spaceship, soft glow from a round window, warm lighting, cinematic photograph, 35mm lens, shallow depth of field --ar 3:2
The second version names who, where, how it is lit and how it looks. Midjourney no longer has to guess.
Step 3: Try the 5 P's of Prompting
The "5 P's of prompting" is a popular phrase, but it has no single official meaning. So here is my practical version for Midjourney:
- Person or subject: what is in the picture?
- Place: where does it happen?
- Palette: which colors and light set the mood?
- Picture style: photo, watercolor, 3D, anime?
- Parameters: shape, style strength and extras.
If your prompt covers all five, it is usually strong enough to start.
Step 4: Copy These Midjourney Prompt Examples
Looking for examples of good prompts? Paste these and change a detail or two.
Cozy cafe photo
a steaming cup of coffee on a wooden cafe table, rainy window behind, warm golden light, soft focus, lifestyle photograph --ar 4:5
Fantasy landscape
a glowing waterfall pouring from a floating island, misty valley below, golden hour, epic fantasy concept art --ar 16:9
Children's book scene
a small fox reading under a giant mushroom in the rain, lantern light, soft gouache illustration, gentle colors --ar 3:2 --s 400
Product shot
a matte ceramic mug on a pale oak table, soft morning window light, minimal styling, commercial photography --ar 4:5 --raw
Anime key art
a young pilot on a rooftop at sunset, city skyline, dramatic clouds, vibrant anime key visual --ar 2:3 --niji
Logo idea
minimal logo of a geometric mountain and sun, two colors, flat vector, white background --ar 1:1 --no text
Want more starting points? A large library like these Midjourney prompts can give you hundreds of ideas to adapt.
Step 5: Improve Any Prompt
How can you improve a prompt? Change one thing at a time. That way, you see exactly what helped.
- Sharpen the subject. "A woman" becomes "an elderly woman in a red coat."
- Name the light. Try "soft window light" or "golden hour."
- Pick one style. Mixing "watercolor 3D photo" confuses the result.
- Cut extra words. Remove anything that competes with your main idea.
- Use parameters.
--archanges the shape,--scontrols style strength, and--noexcludes items.
Step 6: Find Prompt Inspiration in One Place
Is there one website with every prompt? Not really. Even the best Midjourney prompts guide cannot list them all. However, you have good options.
Midjourney's own Explore page shows public images that you can browse and copy prompts from. Also, you can save your best prompts in a simple note. For extra variety, a curated set such as these AI image prompts can help when you feel stuck.
Step 7: Try Midjourney Video Prompts
Midjourney can turn a single image into a short video. According to its documentation, the clip lasts about five seconds. You can then extend it. You need a paid subscription, and video works on the Midjourney website.
A video prompt describes the motion, not the whole picture. For example:
the camera slowly pushes in as mist drifts across the lake, gentle ripples on the water
a girl turns her head toward the window as curtains sway in the breeze
neon signs flicker as rain falls on the empty street, slow camera pan to the right
You can also choose a motion level. Add --motion low for subtle movement. Add --motion high for bigger action and camera changes. Low motion is the default, but it may leave a scene almost still. High motion adds energy, although it can cause odd glitches. So try both.
Prompt Basics Beyond Midjourney
Some questions on this topic are about prompts in general. Here are quick answers.
How do you write a good writing prompt? State your goal, your audience, the format and the length. For example, "Write a friendly 100-word product description for busy parents." That single sentence gives clear direction.
What is a prompt question example? "Explain how rainbows form to a ten-year-old in three short paragraphs." It has a task, an audience and a format.
What are the top 10 AI prompts? There is no official list. But these ten patterns are popular:
- Summarize this text in five bullet points.
- Explain this topic like I'm a beginner.
- Give me ten ideas for a project.
- Rewrite this in a friendlier tone.
- Create an outline for an article.
- Compare two options in a table.
- Fix the grammar in this paragraph.
- Turn these notes into a checklist.
- Act as a coach and ask me three questions.
- Translate this message politely.
Common Midjourney Prompt Mistakes
Even with a good Midjourney prompts guide, beginners often repeat the same slips. Here are the ones to avoid.
- Too many styles. Choose one or two.
- Parameters in the wrong place. Put them at the end.
- Long text inside images. Letters often come out wrong, so add words later in a design tool.
- Changing everything at once. You will not know what worked.
- Copying old prompts blindly. A newer version may behave differently.
Your Next Step
Pick one example from this Midjourney prompts guide. Change one detail, then generate it three times. Save the version you like best, along with its settings. That small habit turns random results into a style you can repeat.
Which prompt gave you your best image? Share it in the comments, or tell me what you want to create. I'd love to help you refine it.
Transparency note: I created the Midjourney and AI image prompt collections linked above. Midjourney updates its models and features often, so check its official help pages for the latest details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start writing a Midjourney prompt?
Start with your subject, then add the setting, lighting, style and camera feel. Put parameters like --ar at the end. Keep the first version simple and improve it one detail at a time.
What are the 5 P's of prompting?
There is no official list. A practical Midjourney version is: person or subject, place, palette, picture style and parameters.
What are the three types of prompts?
In Midjourney, a practical way to think about them is text prompts, image prompts that use a reference picture, and parameters that adjust settings like shape and style strength.
Is there a website that offers all prompts in one place?
No single site has everything. Midjourney's Explore gallery lets you browse public images and copy their prompts, and curated prompt libraries can add more ideas.
Can you give examples of AI video prompts?
In Midjourney, a video prompt describes the motion for an existing image, such as: the camera slowly pushes in as mist drifts across the lake. You can add --motion low or --motion high.
How can I improve a Midjourney prompt?
Change one thing at a time. Make the subject clearer, name the lighting, pick one style, and remove words that compete. Then compare the results.
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