Understand How Prompt Changes Affect Results with Midjourney's Seed Parameter

Have you ever run the same Midjourney prompt twice and gotten completely different results? This is normal, but it makes it hard to figure out how small changes to your prompt affect the final image. This is where the seed parameter becomes incredibly useful.

By using a fixed seed number, you can get more repeatable results. This lets you see exactly how changing text or parameters in your prompt influences the images Midjourney creates.

What is the Midjourney Seed Parameter?

Every time you ask Midjourney to create an image, it starts with a canvas of visual noise. Think of it like static on an old TV screen. Each unique pattern of noise is linked to a specific seed number.

By default, Midjourney picks a random seed number for every new job. That's why the same prompt gives you varied results each time you run it.

When you use the --seed parameter followed by a number (from 0 to about 10 billion), you tell Midjourney to use the specific noise pattern linked to that number. This makes the starting point for your image generation the same every time.

Seed for Repeatable Results

Using the same prompt with the same seed number gives you results that are very similar each time. You can often see matching images or elements across different runs.

However, it's important to know that using a seed does not always guarantee *identical* results. Small things like the speed mode you use (Fast vs. Relax) or updates to the Midjourney model itself can cause slight variations. But the seed gives you a much more predictable starting point than a random seed.

Using Seed for Prompt Testing

The real power of the seed parameter isn't just getting similar results repeatedly. It's using that controlled start to test how changes in your prompt affect the outcome. It helps you isolate the effect of one change at a time.

Testing Parameters Like Stylize

The --stylize parameter controls how much of Midjourney's default artistic style is applied to your images. By keeping the same prompt and the same seed number, you can run tests with different stylize values (like 0, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000).

Comparing the results side-by-side lets you clearly see the effect of stylize. For example, you might see colors change, details emerge or fade, or faces become more prominent as the stylize value increases.

Testing Personalization

If you use Midjourney's personalization features, you can use a fixed seed to see how your personal style affects results compared to the default Midjourney style. Run the same prompt with the same seed, once with your personalization and once without. Compare the images to spot the differences your personalization introduces (e.g., specific color tones, lighting).

Testing Prompt Text Changes

You can also use the seed parameter to test specific wording in your prompt. For instance, keep a base prompt and seed, but change a descriptor like "film type" or "camera angle" for each run. By comparing the images from the same starting noise pattern, you can see how that single text change alters the image composition, lighting, or style.

Comparing Model Versions

Using a seed can be helpful for comparing small updates within the same major Midjourney model version (like V6.0 versus V6.1). You can spot subtle changes in how the model interprets the prompt with the same starting point. Comparing major model versions (like V5 to V6) with a fixed seed is usually harder because the models interpret prompts very differently, making it difficult to find matching images to compare directly.

Testing prompts and parameters manually can take a lot of time, especially when you want to try many variations. Consider exploring tools like the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT. It can help streamline your prompt testing processe, allowing you to experiment more efficiently.

How to Find a Seed Number

Want to test variations of an image you've already created? You need its seed number. Here's how to find it:

If you are on Discord:

• Right-click on the image grid you want the seed for.

• Go to Add Reaction.

• Select the envelope emoji (✉️). You might need to click "View More" to find it.

• Midjourney Bot will send you a direct message containing the seed number for that job.

If you are on the Midjourney website (e.g., the Create page or Archive):

• Find the image grid (make sure it's part of an original /imagine job, not an upscaled single image).

• Click the options button (often three dots or "More").

• Look for a "Copy" option and select "Seed".

• This copies the seed number to your clipboard.

Once you have the seed number, you can use it by adding `--seed [your number]` at the end of your prompt.

Speed Up Testing with Permutation Prompts

Running lots of tests with different parameters or text variations can be slow if you do them one by one. Permutation prompts let you run multiple jobs from a single prompt command.

How they work: Put the variations you want to test inside curly brackets `{}` separated by commas. Midjourney will run a separate job for each item in the brackets.

Examples:

• `a bird in flight --seed 1234 --stylize {50, 200, 500}` (Runs 3 jobs with different stylize values but the same base and seed)

• `a lighthouse, photographed on {Kodak Portra, Fujifilm Velvia, Ilford HP5} --seed 5678` (Runs 3 jobs testing different film types with the same seed)

You can even combine text and parameter variations in one permutation prompt. Just remember permutation prompts only work in Fast or Turbo mode, not Relax mode.

Managing many permutation prompts and the resulting images can become complex. Streamlining this workflow is key to productive testing. Consider how tools designed for Midjourney, such as the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT, could help manage tests and compare results more easily.

Conclusion

The seed parameter might seem technical, but it's a powerful tool for anyone serious about understanding and refining their Midjourney prompts. By controlling the starting point of image generation, you can clearly see the impact of every change you make, from adjusting parameters like stylize to tweaking prompt wording or comparing model versions.

Using seed for testing lets you move beyond guessing and truly learn how Midjourney works. This leads to more intentional prompting and better control over your creative results.

For those running numerous tests and managing large volumes of Midjourney images, solutions like the Midjourney Automation Suite offered by TitanXT can help automate aspects of your workflow, making experimentation scalable and less time-consuming. Explore how automation can enhance your Midjourney creative process.