Midjourney Style Reference (SREF) Guide
Master Midjourney's SREF feature to apply consistent artistic styles using numeric codes or image URLs. Learn parameters, best practices, and discover curated style collections.
Style Reference (SREF) is one of Midjourney's most powerful features, allowing you to apply consistent artistic styles to your generations using simple numeric codes or image URLs. With access to over 4 billion unique style references, SREF opens up endless creative possibilities.
What is SREF?
The Style Reference feature allows you to add the --sref parameter to your Midjourney prompts, applying pre-defined visual styles to your generations. Instead of describing a style with words, you can reference it directly using:
Access 4 billion+ style variations
/imagine a peaceful garden --sref 2653204188
Each code represents a unique artistic style that can be consistently applied across multiple generations.
Basic Syntax
/imagine a peaceful garden with blooming flowers --sref 2653204188
The style code (2653204188 in this example) tells Midjourney to apply that specific visual aesthetic to your prompt.
Key Parameters
--sref [number or URL]
The main style reference parameter that defines which style to apply.
Usage options:
- Numeric codes:
--sref 2653204188 - Image URLs:
--sref https://cdn.midjourney.com/7633d57c-1da2-46e0-bb06-fb9c5f4b6cc6/0_3.jpeg - Multiple codes:
--sref 123456 789012 - Random style:
--sref random
--sw [0-1000]
Style Weight controls how strongly the style influences your image.
Pro Tip:
Recommended sweet spot: 65-175 for most applications. Start at 100 and adjust up or down based on results.
| Range | Effect | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50 | Subtle influence | When you want minimal style impact |
| 50-200 | Balanced application | Default range for most projects |
| 200-1000 | Dominant influence | When style should overpower content |
Default: 100
/imagine mountain landscape --sref 2653204188 --sw 150
--sv [1-6]
Style Version ensures compatibility with different Midjourney models.
- Default: 6 (for Midjourney V7)
- Use
--sv 4for legacy V6 codes - Older codes may render differently in newer versions
/imagine portrait --sref 178455688 --sv 4
Compatibility Issue:
If a style code doesn't look right, try adding --sv 4 for backward compatibility with older codes.
Advanced Techniques
Combining Multiple SREF Codes
You can blend multiple style references using weights:
/imagine cyberpunk city --sref 123456::2 789012::1
The ::2 and ::1 indicate relative weights. In this example, the first code has twice the influence of the second.
Advanced Technique:
Experiment with different weight ratios like ::3 ::1 or ::5 ::2 ::1 for more complex style blending.
Using --sref random
Discover new styles by generating random codes:
/imagine abstract art --sref random
Midjourney will assign a random style code that you can note and reuse in future prompts.
How to Find Your Random Code:
After generating with --sref random, check your job details in Midjourney to see which code was assigned. Save codes you like for future use!
Combining with Other Parameters
SREF works beautifully with other Midjourney parameters:
/imagine warrior --sref 2653204188 --sw 150 --chaos 30 --stylize 500 --ar 16:9
Best Practices
Keep Prompts Simple
When using SREF codes, avoid style-related descriptors in your prompt. Let the code handle the aesthetics.
a woman in a garden --sref 2653204188
Clean, simple content description without style adjectives.
Focus on Content, Not Style
Your text prompt should describe what you want, not how it should look:
| ✅ Good Examples | ❌ Avoid |
|---|---|
| "a mountain landscape at sunset" | "a dreamy, soft-focus mountain with pastel colors" |
| "a portrait of a warrior" | "an ethereal warrior in cinematic lighting" |
| "a city street at night" | "a moody, atmospheric street with film grain" |
Note:
Let the SREF code handle all styling—your prompt should only describe the subject matter.
Adjust Style Weight Strategically
Recommended workflow:
- Start with default
--sw 100 - If style is too weak, increase to 150-200
- If style overwhelms your subject, decrease to 50-75
- Test multiple values to find your sweet spot
- Document successful weights for future use
Match Style to Subject
Test Version Compatibility
If a code doesn't work as expected:
- Try adding
--sv 4for older codes - Check if the code was designed for a specific Midjourney version
- Some V6 codes may render differently in V7
Note:
Many codes found in older collections require --sv 4 to render correctly in Midjourney V7.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Conflicting Style Descriptions:
Don't describe the style when using SREF. This example conflicts:
illustration, painted, artistic style --sref 123456
Wrong Style Weight Range:
The --sw parameter only goes up to 1000:
--sw 2000 # Won't work
Using Spaces in Codes:
SREF codes should be continuous numbers:
--sref 265 320 4188 # Wrong
--sref 2653204188 # Correct
Tips for Experimentation
Build a Personal Library
Save codes that work well for your use cases:
Document the Code
Note the exact SREF number and where you found it
Record Style Weight
Note the --sw value that worked best for your use case
Save Example Outputs
Keep reference images for future comparison
Tag by Category
Organize by type: portraits, landscapes, products, etc.
Organization Tip:
Consider using a spreadsheet or note-taking app to track your favorite codes with tags, weights, and example images.
Test Style Weights
For each new code, try multiple weights to see how it affects the output:
| Weight | Purpose |
|---|---|
--sw 50 | Subtle influence test |
--sw 100 | Default baseline |
--sw 150 | Moderate emphasis |
--sw 200 | Strong influence |
Combine Codes Creatively
Mix styles from different categories for unique results:
--sref [cinematic-code] [minimalist-code]
Popular Combinations:
- Cinematic + Anime = Dynamic stylized characters
- Photorealistic + Vintage = Authentic retro photography
- Minimalist + Abstract = Modern artistic compositions
Test Across Different Subjects
A code that works beautifully for portraits might not suit landscapes. Test each code with various subjects:
Test with: headshots, full body, groups, different ages/genders
Curated Style Collections
Explore our curated SREF code collections, organized by style category:
- Photorealistic - Photo-realistic, documentary, and portrait styles
- Cinematic - Film noir, dramatic lighting, and movie-inspired aesthetics
- Anime & Manga - Japanese animation and manga styles (works with --niji)
- Artistic Styles - Painting styles, illustrations, and fine art
- Minimalist - Clean, simple, modern aesthetics
- Vintage & Retro - Nostalgic, old-school, and classic styles
- Abstract & Experimental - Modern art, experimental, and unconventional aesthetics
Each collection includes 15-20 hand-picked codes with detailed descriptions, example prompts, and recommended settings.
Version Compatibility Notes
Current Version - Fully Supported
- Default style version:
--sv 6 - Native support for newest codes
- Enhanced style fidelity and consistency
- Best performance with codes created for V7
Note:
Most modern SREF codes are optimized for V7. If you find an older code that doesn't look right, try adding --sv 4.
Resources & Further Learning
Official Documentation:
SREF Code Databases:
- midjourneysref.com - Extensive searchable database
- sref-midjourney.com - Curated collections by style
Next Steps
Ready to explore specific style categories? Start with:
- Photorealistic Styles - For realistic imagery
- Cinematic Styles - For dramatic storytelling
- Anime & Manga - For Japanese-inspired art
Each page includes detailed code information, example prompts, and optimization tips.
Related Articles
Environment Creation in Midjourney
Master environment design with Midjourney prompts.
Character Creation in Midjourney
Master character creation with Midjourney prompts. Learn techniques for creating compelling characters across various styles and genres.
Scandinavian Minimalism SREF Codes
Nordic-inspired minimalist SREF codes featuring clean lines, natural materials, and functional beauty.