Want to learn more about the different Midjourney upscale commands?
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Playing around with Midjourney is tons of fun, even if it sometimes takes a while until you get just the right that you want to upscale.
But then the next question is: Which upscaling method is the best one and how do you get the biggest possible resolution?
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly what each Midjourney upscale method does, how big your image will be, and how much Fast GPU hours you’ll most likely burn.
Let’s dive right in.
Table of ContentsShow
Overview of Midjourney Upscale Methods
Even though it’s fairly simple to write a prompt and create an image in Midjourney, getting exactly what you wanted is a lot harder.
It’s not uncommon to go through several attempts of your initial prompt, multiple variations, and perhaps even remixing the image in order to add or remove elements.
But once you finally do get that perfect image, you’ll definitely want to run it through one of the Midjourney upscale methods.
Contrary to popular belief, upscaling an image in Midjourney not only increases the dimensions and resolution of the image.
In fact, very often it will add lots of new details that can alter the overall look and feel.
That’s why it’s important that you understand what each Midjourney upscale method does.
Key Points (tl;dr)
- Midjourney’s “Regular Upscale” and “Light Upscale Redo” methods create images that are 1024×1024 in size, while the “light” method tends to produce smoother surfaces.
- “Upscale to Max” and “Beta Upscale Redo” are useful if you need higher resolutions but your images may contain significant alterations.
- The safest way to upscale an image beyond the initial step is to use an external AI image upscaler.
Regular Upscale

Unless you’ve made changes to your Midjourney upscale method via the /settings
panel, “Regular Upscale” will be the default method associated with your account.
In other words, whenever you click any of the “U” buttons (U1
, U2
, U3
, or U4
), it will initiate an upscale command and Midjourney will start upscaling the image you chose.
This initial upscale is limited to approximately 1.05 Megapixels, which means that it will generate an image that is 1024×1024 pixels in size.
Obviously, if you’ve set a different aspect ratio, such as 16:9, then the dimensions will be 1600×900 pixels.
Once the initial Midjourney upscale is done, you’ll have 2 or 3 new options:
- Light Upscale Redo
- Upscale to the Max (not available in v4)
- Beta Upscale Redo
So let’s move on to the first option on that list.
Light Upscale Redo

HINT: You can set “Light Upscale” as your default upscale method for an image you are prompting by simply adding the --uplight
parameter at the end.
If it turns out that the first Midjourney upscale is too detailed and you’d prefer to have smoother surfaces, then using the “Light Upscale Redo” upscale method might be a good solution.
This is particularly relevant if you are working on human faces where the regular Midjourney upscale may make the face look rougher than you want it to.
You’ll still get an image that is 1024×1024 pixels or 1.05 Megapixels in total, but it should definitely look different.
After a Light Upscale Redo, your options will change slightly.
The previous “Light” option is replaced by a “Detailed Upscale Redo”, which is effectively the same thing as the regular Midjourney upscale.
- Detailed Upscale Redo
- Upscale to the Max (not available in v4)
- Beta Upscale Redo
If you need a bigger image than you already have then the Midjourney upscale to the max method is a natural next step.
Upscale to the Max

The name of this Midjourney upscale method is a bit misleading because it doesn’t actually upscale to the max anymore.
It may have been that way originally, hence the name, but there are now ways to go even higher.
Anyway, when you use “Upscale to the Max”, Midjourney will generate an upscaled image that is 1664×1664 pixels (assuming an aspect ratio of 1:1).
While it may not look like it, the image is effectively almost 3x bigger than your initial upscale and has 2.77 Megapixels.
Once you’ve upscaled to the max, you can no longer pick “Beta Upscale Redo”.
Both “Upscale to the Max” and “Beta Upscale Redo” are essentially “final” upscales of an image.
You can only go down from here.
Beta Upscale Redo

HINT: You can set “Beta Upscale Redo” as your default upscale method for an image you are prompting by simply adding the --upbeta
parameter at the end.
If you choose to use the “Beta Upscale Redo” method rather than “Upscale to the Max”, Midjourney will redo the upscaling with a more efficient method.
This method essentially creates a much higher-resolution image right from the beginning.
What’s great about this method is that it allows you to generate an image that is beyond 4 Megapixels, with dimensions of 2048×2048 pixels if it’s a square.
16:9 images can therefore go as high as 2720×1530 pixels, which is already quite neat.
That being said, your image will definitely not be 100% identical to your original upscale.
In fact, there may be rather severe changes to the image and you might end up trashing it after all.
So keep that in mind before you choose this method.
How to Upscale Images Beyond Midjourney’s Limits

Trying to manage the significant differences between various different upscale methods is one of the most frustrating parts of working with AI art generators.
It’s particularly annoying because upscales require quite a bit of Midjourney GPU hours and you still don’t know whether the image may get messed up or not.
An alternative to this approach is to use an external image upscaling tool that allows you to turn an input image of 1024×1024 into a proper 4k image.
While these tools definitely aren’t perfect, they are definitely capable of producing some amazing results.
Here are some tools we can recommend:
- ON1 Resize AI
- Gigapixel AI
- Let’s Enhance
For more details on how to maximize the resolution of Midjourney images so that they are fit to print, check out our dedicated guide on the topic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Before we close off this guide, let’s quickly address some of the most common questions related to Midjourney upscales.
What does upscale mean in Midjourney?
In Midjoureny, upscaling is the process of increasing the resolution and/or size of one of the images you’ve generated. Upscaling will make your images sharper and in some cases, suitable for printing.
How do I upscale an image in Midjourney?
To upscale an image from a set of variations, you must click one of the 4 “U” buttons below the images (
U1
,U2
,U3
, andU4
). Once your initial upscale is done, you can choose to redo the upscale with other methods which may have a higher resolution, depending on which one you choose.How can I upscale in Midjourney without altering the image?
It is very difficult to do a Midjourney upscale without altering the image. Your initial upscale may still be reasonably close to the original variation, but larger upscales usually have much more detail and sometimes significant alterations. The only way to avoid this is by upscaling with an external AI image upscaler.
Conclusion
While nearly everyone knows how to create a basic upscale of an image in Midjourney, some of its other methods can be rather confusing.
Not only is it sometimes unclear how big the image will be, but some of the major alterations are also guaranteed to cause frustrations among users.
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FAQs
What does upscale do in Midjourney? ›
You can use a Midjourney upscaler on any grid image to increase the size and add additional details. There are multiple upscale models available for upscaling an image. The U1 U2 U3 U4 buttons under each image grid are used to upscale the selected image.
What is beta upscale redo Midjourney? ›(experimental) Beta Upscale Redo will redo the upscaling using a more efficient method that creates a much higher resolution image from the start. If you want this method to be your default upscale, add --upbeta at the end of your /imagine command.
Why is Midjourney so good? ›Midjourney is exceptionally good at simulating different types of materials. It usually understands the basic properties, forms, or colors of many interesting materials, and we get some interesting results playing with these. Materials and colors will help add flavor to your prompts.
Why does upscaling look better? ›1080p Upscaled to 4k vs Native 1080p
To present lower-resolution material on a 4k TV, the TV has to perform a process called upscaling. This process increases the pixel count of a lower-resolution image, allowing a picture meant for a screen with fewer pixels to fit a screen with many more.
- Download Video Enhance AI if you don't have it already.
- Launch it.
- Click and drag your video.
- On the Processing section found on the right side of the screen, choose the AI Model you'd like to use. ...
- In the Settings section, open the Presets menu and select 4K UHD (3840×2160).
Photoshop
The most common way to enlarge an image without losing quality is with Photoshop. The software does cost a pretty penny, but it's worth the investment if you're a graphic designer or edit images on a regular basis.
Open your image in Photoshop. Go to the Image Size dialog, check resample, and select "Preserve Details" in the corresponding dropdown menu. Make sure the Resolution is set to 300 Pixels/Inch. Set Width and Height to inches and adjust to enlarge your image.
What does U1 V1 mean midjourney? ›After you've made an image, you'll see a U1, U2, U3, U4 option underneath. In this case, the U stands for “upscale” and the number (1 to 4) stands for which image you want to select. Since the default option is to create 4 images with every new job or prompt, the numbers go from 1 to 4 and stand for their positioning.
How does Midjourney work? ›Functionality. Midjourney is currently only accessible through a Discord bot on their official Discord, by direct messaging the bot, or by inviting the bot to a third party server. To generate images, users use the /imagine command and type in a prompt; the bot then returns an image.
How do you give commands in Midjourney? ›- /imagine (creates an image with the prompt you provided)
- /help (provides helpful information and tips about the MJ bot)
- /info (displays information about your own profile, plan, usage, etc.)
- /subscribe (lets you subscribe to the bot)
Is there anything better than Midjourney? ›
There are more than 25 alternatives to Midjourney for a variety of platforms, including Online / Web-based, Linux, iPhone, Mac and Windows. The best alternative is Craiyon, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Midjourney are DALL-E 2, Dall-E, Stable Diffusion Online and DALL-E FLOW.
Can you sell art made on Midjourney? ›If you are a free user or have just a trial account, you get a Commons Noncommercial 4.0 Attribution International License, This means that you can use these images, but you can't sell them or make money from them. You must also give information ("attribution") to Midjourney.
Which is better Dalle or Midjourney? ›The Verdict on AI-Created Images…
Midjourney can upscale AI-created images up to their maximum resolution, while DALL-E 2 is stuck at 1024 x 1024. DALL-E 2 creates more real-looking images, and Midjourney is more on different art styles.
Upscaling an image is the process of enlarging it without any loss in image quality. This makes the image presentable in larger formats. For example, TV, film and static images have been upscaled to display on HDTVs and screens for years in a presentable format.
Does upscaling improve video quality? ›Upscaling does not add net new information to an image. In other words, it doesn't give you 4K video quality without using a 4K camera. Video upscaling is, however, a way of enlarging lower-resolution video content to fit on higher definition screens.
How do I activate upscaling? ›To enable “AI-Enhanced” upscaling, go to Settings > AI upscaling and select “AI-Enhanced”. Detail enhancement is an “AI-Enhanced” only option and can be customized based on your own preference. A side by side demo mode is available to compare “Basic” to AI upscaling.
What is upscale mode? ›Magic Upscale Technology prevents image degradation when scaling up and makes images on the monitor appear clearer and sharper than on a note pc.
How does AI upscaling work? ›What is AI upscaling? In the technique, “AI upscaling”, the application when fed with a low-resolution image will generate a similar image with more pixels. It is basically achieved in two ways. One, by filling the additional pixels with similar visual information – also called nearest neighbor resizing.
Which graphic is a better option for scaling images without loss of quality? ›One of the greatest things about vector images is that you can re-size them infinitely larger or smaller, and they will still print out just as clearly, with no increase (or decrease) in file size.
What is the best AI video enhancer? ›Here are some of the best video quality enhancer software: Adobe Premiere Pro CC. AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI. Topaz Video Enhance AI.
What is the best AI enhancer? ›
- Luminar NEO. Buy from Skylum. Brand Skylum. ...
- Topaz Studio 2. Buy from Topaz Labs. Brand Topaz Labs. ...
- Movavi Photo Editor. Buy from Movavi. ...
- Adobe Photoshop. Shop 2 Offers. ...
- Imagen. Buy from Imagen. ...
- Topaz DeNoise AI. Buy from Topaz Labs. ...
- Spyne. Buy from Spyne. ...
- Topaz Sharpen AI. Buy from Topaz Labs.
When you downscale from 4K to full HD, you're oversampling the image to have 4x the data for every pixel. Therefore, when you have 4K footage and downscale it to 1080p (Full HD), this image will appear sharper and more vivid than it would at native 1080p.
Can I upscale a photo to 4K? ›Upscaling an image means enlarging the size and resolution of the image. For example, a 200 * 198 image can be upscaled to 800*792. Can you upscale an image to 4K? Yes, PixCut has the AI technology to enlarge the images up to 4K resolution without compromising quality.
What does v4 mean Midjourney? ›AI imaging service Midjourney has begun alpha testing of the fourth version (v4) of its text translation model to an image that is available to subscribers on the Discord server, reports ArsTechnica.
What is U1 U2 U3 in Midjourney? ›In the top row: U1, U2, U3, and U4 are buttons for Upscaling your chosen image. Upscaling an image generates a larger roughly 1024x1024 pixel version of the selected image. By default, this will also generate additional details.
What is the best AI art generator? ›- Jasper Art. Rating. 4.8/5. Ease Of Use. ...
- Starry AI. Rating. 4.7/5. Ease of Use. ...
- Dream By Wombo. Rating. 4.4/5. Ease of Use. ...
- Nightcafe. Rating. 3.6/7. Ease of Use. ...
- Dall-E. Rating. 4.5/5. Ease Of Use. ...
- Pixray. Rating. 4/5. Ease of Use. ...
- Deep Dream Generator. Rating. 3.8. Ease of Use. ...
- Deep AI. Rating. 4.6/5.
- DALL-E 2.
- Stable Diffusion AI.
- WOMBO Dream.
- Midjourney.
- NightCafe.
- StarryAI.
- Meitu AI Art.
- Big Sleep.
Can You Use Images Generated with Midjourney Commercially? Yes, if you are a paid member, you can use images generated with Midjourney commercially according to their terms [3]. Subject to the above license, you own all Assets you create with the Services.
What does chaos do in Midjourney? ›The --chaos or --c parameter influences how varied the initial image grids are. High --chaos values will produce more unusual and unexpected results and compositions. Lower --chaos values have more reliable, repeatable results. --chaos accepts values 0–100.
How do you use bot commands? ›To use a Discord bot command, simply type it into the text box on a text channel and press “enter”. The bot will prompt you for any follow-up Discord commands. See the GIF above for a quick example of how to use the “status” command on the IdleRPG bot.
What does seed do in Midjourney? ›
We use the seed to generate noise (think randomness) for all 4 images at once so the noise is different for each image.
Can you sell AI-generated art? ›You can submit AI images you've generated to earn royalties!
I'm excited to tell you — it's official — that AI-generated images can now be submitted and sold on Adobe Stock!
Midjourney is one of the best AI art generator widely available for common users in 2022. Midjourney: This tool is great for creating abstract or surrealistic images. It's also really easy to use, so it's perfect for anyone who wants to create art without having to put in too much effort.
Can you use Dall E for free? ›DALL·E 2 is no longer free to use. Instead, users will be given a limited number of monthly credits, with the option to pay to top them up (see below).
Can you get sued for selling fan art? ›Selling fan art comes down to this, if you are selling and making a profit without getting permission from the copyright holder, you can be sued for infringement. An ideal solution is to sell fan art on a website that already has all the legal agreements in place.
Who owns the rights to AI-generated art? ›If there is no human author, section 9 says that for computer-generated works, “the author shall be taken to be the person by whom the arrangements necessary for the creation of the work are undertaken”. If the text prompt is enough, then the human user entering that prompt is the author.
What type of AI does Midjourney use? ›Midjourney is an AI image generation tool that takes inputs through text prompts and parameters and uses a Machine Learning (ML) algorithm trained on a large amount of image data to produce unique images.
Is DALL-E legal? ›In the eyes of the Copyright Office, the public is free to reproduce, publish, or sell your DALL-E 2-generated masterpiece, no strings attached. Congress could change the law, or the courts could recognize a copyright in AI-generated work despite what the Copyright Office thinks.
How many people use Midjourney? ›As of this writing, it has nearly a million members. This artificial intelligence art generator may change the way you create.
What does upscaling an image do? ›Upscaling an image is the process of enlarging it without any loss in image quality. This makes the image presentable in larger formats. For example, TV, film and static images have been upscaled to display on HDTVs and screens for years in a presentable format.
Does upscaling improve audio quality? ›
“Upscaling” video doesn't make it “better” in quality, it simply allows it to be displayed on a screen that has more pixels than the source video, without black bars all around. Sure, there's various algorithms, but none of them make the end result “better”, just variations on “acceptable”.
What is upscale factor? ›The upscaling factor simply denotes how much the original will be upscaled. In the case of SRGAN, which uses 4x upscaling, this simply means that the output image will be four times as large as the input image.
How is upscaling done? ›How Does Video Upscaling Work? As explained, video upscaling in a TV automatically kicks in when a video doesn't use up all the available pixels on screen. Upscaling makes up for this deficit through 'interpolation algorithms'. The TV fills blank pixels with information based on the makeup of surrounding pixels.
What gives the best audio quality? ›What is the best audio format for sound quality? A lossless audio file format is the best format for sound quality. These include FLAC, WAV, or AIFF. These types of files are considered “hi-res” because they are better or equal to CD-quality.
Can audiophiles hear the difference? ›Some can; most can't. Everyone (audiophile or not) suffers from confirmation bias, so the only way to objectively tell if one detects a difference in audio gear – or anything else, for that matter – is to do a blind A/B test, where the subject doesn't know which piece (s)he's listening to.
How do I get high quality audio? ›- Value your listeners. Podcasts and blogs are similar. ...
- Invest in the right microphone. You knew this one was coming. ...
- Use a microphone stand. ...
- Find a great place to record. ...
- Speak near the microphone. ...
- Set up a pop filter. ...
- Select an audio interface. ...
- Record separate tracks.
verb. upscaled; upscaling; upscales. transitive verb. : to make (something) more appealing to affluent consumers : to make (something) more upscale.
What does AI upscale mean? ›What is AI upscaling? In the technique, “AI upscaling”, the application when fed with a low-resolution image will generate a similar image with more pixels. It is basically achieved in two ways. One, by filling the additional pixels with similar visual information – also called nearest neighbor resizing.
Is upscaling better than native? ›The player will upscale the original resolution from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. 4K native content means that the input resolution is already 3840x2160 (4K). Although both native and upscaled offer the same resolution, native 4K is better as the picture contains more detail. Using upscaling detail cannot be added.