Variation

Chaos (--chaos / --c)

--chaos

Controls how varied and unexpected the initial four-image grid is. Higher values produce more diverse, surprising compositions; the default is 0.

Syntax
--chaos <number> (or --c <number>)
Values
0–100
Default
0

What it does

The --chaos parameter (shorthand --c) sets how different the four images in the initial grid are from one another. At 0, the grid is coherent and closely related; as you raise it, Midjourney explores more unusual and divergent interpretations of the same prompt.

Chaos is a discovery tool: high values are useful early, when you want a wide spread of directions to choose from. Once you have found a direction, lower chaos gives you tighter, more predictable variations to refine.

Examples

a futuristic city --c 0

Four closely related, coherent options.

a futuristic city --c 60

Four widely divergent, surprising takes.

Common mistakes

  • Expecting chaos to change a single image — it varies the initial grid.
  • Using very high chaos and losing adherence to the prompt.
  • Confusing chaos (grid diversity) with weird (offbeat aesthetics).

High-chaos exploration produces a lot of one-off directions. Capturing the winners with their prompt and seed means a promising branch is never lost in the flood.

Related parameters

Keep the parameters behind every Midjourney image

Numonic pulls your Midjourney exports into a searchable catalog with the prompt, parameters, and Job ID intact — so the exact settings behind a look you loved are one search away, not lost in a folder.