Describe

Turn any image into a written prompt (image to prompt) that you can edit and reuse to recreate a style or look.

Describe looks at an image and writes a prompt for it. Use it to recreate a look you like, or to learn which words Ideogram links to what it sees.

Where to find it

Every model's prompt box in the Image app has a Describe button (tooltip "Describe an image"). The Negative prompt field on Ideogram 3.0 has one too.

The Home prompt box has no Describe button. Open the Image app first.

Click the Describe button at the bottom right of the prompt box. The caption fills the box.

Describe an image

1. Click Describe at the bottom right of the prompt box. Your computer's file picker opens.

2. Choose an image.

3. Wait while the box reads "Describing image…". Click Cancel to stop.

You can also drop an image on the prompt box, from your computer or from your feed, or paste one in.

Describe an image from your Library

1. In your Library, open an image's menu.

2. Choose Describe. It opens the Image app and writes the prompt there, clearing any reference images you had attached.

What you get

A plain-text paragraph that replaces whatever was in the prompt box. Press Cmd+Z (Mac) or Ctrl+Z (Windows) to get your old prompt back.

The result is plain text for every model, Ideogram 4.5 and 4.0 included. Edit it like any prompt, then click Generate.

If something goes wrong you may see "Failed to upload image", "This image can't be described" or "Failed to describe image". Try again, or try another image.

Example

Original photo.

Describe wrote:

A close-up photograph of an American Goldfinch perched on a dark brown tree branch. The bird has vibrant yellow plumage on its head, back, and wings, with distinctive black and white wing bars. The goldfinch's beak is bright orange-yellow, and its eye is dark and alert. The bird is positioned facing right, gripping the rough-textured branch with its feet. In the background, there are green leaves visible, slightly out of focus, creating a natural bokeh effect. The lighting is bright and natural, highlighting the bird's bright yellow feathers. The composition is sharp and detailed, with the goldfinch positioned in the left two-thirds of the frame. The background has a blue-green tint, suggesting a summer or late spring setting.

A new image made from that prompt with Ideogram 3.0, Realistic style.

Tips

• The prompt describes the image; it doesn't copy it. To keep the image itself in play, attach it as a reference image.

• Trim what you don't need and add what's missing before you generate. See Prompting.