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Create Images

Make AI images from text. Write a prompt in any language, pick a model and generate in the Image app. Ideogram models can put clear text in images.

You can start an image in two places: the box on Home, or the Image app. Both take a plain-language prompt. You don't need a perfect one. Write what you want in a sentence or two, then refine from the results. This is text to image: you can write in any language, and the image can include text.

Start from Home

The box under What will you design? is the fastest way in.

  1. Type what you want to see. To use the example prompt that cycles in the box, press Tab.

  2. Pick Image in the type picker.

  3. Optional: select Add reference images and attach up to 9 images. Files must be JPEG, PNG or WebP, up to 25 MB each.

  4. Press Enter or select the arrow button. On mobile, Enter adds a new line, so tap the arrow.

To make a clip instead, pick Video in step 2 (see Create Videos). You can also paste or drag reference images into the box.

Ideogram opens the Image app on Auto, copies in your prompt and images, and starts the run. You don't need to click again. Auto picks a model for you; see Models.

Open the Image app

Select Image in the sidebar. The app opens on Auto, with the settings panel on the left and your results on the right.

Generate an image in the Image app

  1. Select Image in the sidebar.

  2. Optional: open the Model picker and choose a model. The app starts on Auto, which picks one for you. See Pick a model.

  3. Type what you want to see in the Prompt box. See Write a prompt.

  4. Optional: change the settings below the prompt. See Choose settings.

  5. Select Generate. The cost in credits shows on the button.

    Image app on Auto with a prompt filled in, four results in My assets, and the Generate button showing about 24 credits highlighted
    Write a prompt, then select Generate. The cost shows on the button.

  6. Find your images in the My assets tab on the right. See Find your results.

Pick a model

Open the Model picker at the top of the panel. It lists:

  • Auto, always first

  • Recent: models you used lately

  • Team models and My models: custom models you or your team trained

  • All models: every Ideogram and partner model

Type in Search all models... to find one by name, or filter with the chips: My models, Team models, then one chip per provider. Browse community models at the bottom opens models other people have shared.

Each model has its own set of settings, and the panel changes to match when you switch. Models compares them.

Write a prompt

Type in the Prompt box ("What do you want to see?"). Describe the subject, the setting and the style. Put any words you want in the image in quotes, like a poster that says "Summer Sale".

A few helpers sit in or near the prompt box:

  • Describe turns an image into a prompt. See Describe.

  • Type @ to pull one of your past images in as a reference, on models that take references. See Reference Images.

  • Magic Prompt, on Ideogram models, expands a short prompt into a detailed one. See Magic Prompt.

For more on writing prompts, read the Prompting Guide and Text in Images.

Choose settings

Below the prompt you'll find the settings for the model you picked: aspect ratio, number of images, quality and more. Extra options such as Seed sit under Advanced settings, a collapsed row near the bottom of the panel. The defaults work well, so you can skip this step. Image Settings explains each one.

Generate

Select Generate. The button shows the cost in credits on its right side. On Auto it shows an estimate with a ~ in front, because Ideogram picks the model when the run starts. Hover over the number to see whether it's an estimate or the exact cost. To learn how credits work, see Available Plans.

The button reads "Starting…" while Ideogram sends the request. On a free plan with no bought credits, picking a premium model opens an upgrade window instead. So does running out of free credits.

Find your results

Results appear in the My assets tab on the right. A "Generation started" notice appears with Jump to new generation, and blank tiles hold each image's place until it's done. If a run fails, you'll see "Could not generate that image. Please try again."

Each run has its own actions:

  • Copy prompt and Reuse prompt

  • Recreate, which loads every setting from that run back into the panel

  • Download, which saves every image in the run

Click an image to open it. From there you can Edit, Remove BG, Upscale, Use as source, Recreate, Open in app, Add to collection, Like, Share or Download.

Use the toolbar above your results to search ("Search your generations"), filter to the current app, switch between grid and list view, or change the image size.

On paid plans, new images stay private until you publish one. On the free plan, everything you generate is public. To publish an image:

  1. Open the image.

  2. Select More options.

  3. Select Manage.

  4. Select Publish to community.

The API tab next to My assets shows a code sample of the same request, so you can run it through the Ideogram API.

Next steps

PreviousAccount Settings
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