Guide to Using chaos in MidJourney Prompts

In MidJourney, the chaos parameter is a very useful tool that controls the randomness and variability of the generated images. It helps users better achieve their creative goals, especially when exploring different styles or concepts. Below is a detailed introduction to the chaos parameter, including its functionality, usage, and examples:

1. What is the chaos parameter?

The chaos parameter controls the degree of variation in the generated images, meaning it adjusts the randomness and creativity of the results. When you set a higher chaos value, the generated images will be more varied and unpredictable; a lower value makes the results more consistent and stable.

  • Low chaos value (e.g., 0): The generated image is closer to the prompt, with less variation.
  • High chaos value (e.g., 50 or 100): The generated image will be more diverse and may include unexpected styles or elements.

2. How to use the chaos parameter

In MidJourney, you can add the chaos parameter to the prompt as follows:

--chaos [value]
  • Value range: 0 to 100.
  • Default value: If not specified, the default chaos value is 0.

For example:

a fantasy castle in the clouds, highly detailed --chaos 50
  • In this example, --chaos 50 indicates that the generated result will have a higher degree of randomness, and multiple results will show noticeable differences.

3. Main functions and effects of the chaos parameter

1. Increase image diversity

  • If you are not satisfied with the generated image’s style or composition, setting a higher chaos value will provide more diverse results, giving you more options to choose from.
  • Example: 
    a futuristic city skyline at sunset, ultra-detailed --chaos 70
    • Effect: The results will show different city forms, color combinations, and structures, rather than a fixed style.

2. Help in finding inspiration and creativity

  • The chaos parameter is especially useful for the exploration stage, allowing you to discover unexpected surprises or interesting ideas.
  • In artistic creation or concept design, this randomness can inspire new ideas and expand your thinking. 
    abstract painting of flowers, vibrant colors, watercolor style --chaos 80
    • Effect: The output may include different flower compositions, color combinations, and abstract styles.

3. Control image consistency

  • If your project requires highly consistent images, like creating a series of images, you can set the chaos value to low (e.g., 0 or 10). This ensures that MidJourney generates images that are more aligned with your prompt and reduces unnecessary variations. 
    a traditional Japanese tea house in a forest, serene and peaceful --chaos 5
    • Effect: The generated images will have a consistent style and composition, adhering more closely to the original description.

4. Use with other advanced parameters

The chaos parameter can be combined with other parameters (such as --style, --ar, --v, etc.) for better control over the result. For example:

a cyberpunk city street at night, neon lights, rainy atmosphere --ar 16:9 --chaos 30
  • --ar 16:9 sets the aspect ratio.
  • --chaos 30 introduces moderate variation to create different street atmospheres.

4. Example scenes using the chaos parameter

Scene 1: Concept exploration and creative design

  • If you’re exploring ideas for a new project, you can set a high chaos value (e.g., 70-100) to get a wide variety of images. 
    futuristic vehicle design, concept art, sleek and modern --chaos 90

Scene 2: Trying different styles

  • For experimenting with different styles in your image, use a medium chaos value (e.g., 30-50). 
    oil painting of a mountain landscape, impressionist style --chaos 40

Scene 3: Image consistency in a series

  • When you need consistent images (e.g., a set of illustrations), set chaos to a low value (e.g., 5-10) to ensure uniformity across the images. 
    fantasy castle on a cliff, misty background, high details --chaos 10

5. Summary of using the chaos parameter

  • High chaos value: Ideal for creative exploration and inspiration, introducing more diversity and randomness to the results.
  • Low chaos value: Ideal for projects requiring consistent style and precise results, minimizing differences between images.
  • Flexible usage: Adjust chaos based on different scenarios and combine it with other parameters to create the desired output.

By using the chaos parameter effectively, you can get more predictable or highly creative results in MidJourney, whether you’re experimenting with new concepts or aiming for consistent visual output.