Reference

Character reference (--cref)

--cref

Keeps a consistent character across images from a reference image, with a character weight (--cw) controlling how much of the reference is carried over.

Syntax
--cref <image-url> [--cw <0–100>]
Values
Character weight (--cw): 0–100
Default
--cw 100

What it does

The --cref parameter aims to keep the same character consistent from image to image, using a reference image (by URL). The companion --cw (character weight) sets how much is preserved: near 100 keeps face, hair, and clothing; near 0 focuses on the face alone.

It works best with characters Midjourney itself generated, and is a consistency tool rather than a precise face-swap — expect a recognisable character, not a pixel-perfect likeness.

Examples

she sits in a cafe --cref <image-url> --cw 100

Face, hair, and outfit carried over from the reference.

she stands on a beach --cref <image-url> --cw 0

Face preserved, outfit and hair free to change.

Common mistakes

  • Expecting an exact likeness — --cref keeps a character consistent, not identical.
  • Using real-photo references and expecting perfect fidelity; MJ-generated characters work best.
  • Mixing up --cw (character weight) with --sw (style weight).

Consistent characters mean re-using the same reference and weights across a project. Keeping those inputs with the outputs makes a character sheet you can actually reproduce.

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.