How to Use Midjourney: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

How do you use Midjourney?

To use Midjourney, sign up for a subscription, open the web app (or Discord), and type a text prompt describing the image you want. Midjourney generates four options you can upscale or vary. Better prompts — with subject, style, lighting, and composition — produce better images.

Step 1: Subscribe and open the app

Midjourney requires a paid plan starting at $10/month. After subscribing, use the web app at midjourney.com (the most beginner-friendly option) or the original Discord interface.

Step 2: Write your first prompt

Describe your image clearly. A strong prompt structure is: subject + details + style + lighting + composition. For example: "a cozy mountain cabin at dusk, warm window glow, snow falling, cinematic lighting, wide shot, photorealistic."

Step 3: Choose and refine

Midjourney returns four images. You can:

• Upscale the one you like for a high-resolution version.
• Create variations to explore similar options.
• Use parameters like --ar 16:9 for aspect ratio or --style raw for less stylization.

Step 4: Use advanced controls

• Style references to match a look.
• Character references for consistent characters.
• Inpainting / vary region to edit parts of an image.

Prompting tips

1. Be specific about subject and setting.
2. Add a style ("oil painting," "3D render," "photorealistic").
3. Describe lighting and mood.
4. Use parameters for aspect ratio and stylization.
5. Iterate — small wording changes matter.

The bottom line

Midjourney is approachable once you understand its prompt structure and parameters. Start simple, describe subject, style, and lighting, then refine with variations and parameters to dial in exactly the image you want.