> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ideogram.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ideogram.ai/create/reference-images.md). # Reference Images Attach images to guide a generation. Which models take them, how many, and what changes when you do. A reference image gives the model something to work from besides your words, such as a product to place in a new scene or a photo to restyle. You attach it next to your prompt, then describe what you want. ## Where you can use them | Where | Reference images | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------- | | Home prompt box ("What will you design?") | Up to 9 | | Image app, **Auto** | Up to 10 | | Ideogram 4.5 | Up to 5 | | Nano Banana 2, Nano Banana Pro | Up to 10 | | GPT Image 2.0, GPT Image 2.5 Flare, GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst | Up to 16 | | Ideogram 4.0, Ideogram 3.0, Ideogram 4.0 Transparent, Ideogram 3.0 Transparent, Z-Image, P-Image-Ideogram | None | When you send from the Home prompt box, Ideogram opens **Auto** in the Image app with your prompt and images and starts the run for you. Each file must be JPEG, PNG or WebP, up to 25 MB. ## Add a reference image * **Home prompt box:** click **Add reference images**, or paste or drag an image onto the box. * **Image app:** add images in the **Reference images** field of the panel. * **Library:** open an image's menu and choose **Use as reference**. * **Prompt:** type `@` to pick one of your own images (see below).
Image app on Ideogram 4.5 with two reference images tagged @img_1 and @img_2 highlighted, and the Quality menu open with Very low highlighted

With references attached, Ideogram 4.5 adds Very low to Quality.

## Switching models Your reference images stay with you when you change models. If the new model takes fewer, the extra tiles stay but turn inactive. If it takes none, Ideogram clears them, and any `@` mentions in your prompt turn into plain text. If you have more images than the model allows, you see "Too many references for this model. Remove references before generating." Remove some and try again. ## Mention an image with @ Type `@` in the prompt to search your own generations. Pick one and it drops into the prompt as a pill and attaches as a reference. That way you can say which image does what in your prompt. * The search shows up to 50 of your images. You can't mention a collection. * You don't have to mention every image you attach. * If a mentioned image is no longer there, you see "A mentioned reference is unavailable. Remove the mention or attach its media again." ## What changes on Ideogram 4.5 Once you attach a reference image to Ideogram 4.5, your prompt becomes an edit instruction, and the panel changes to match: * **Magic Prompt** disappears. * **Quality** gains a **Very low** option. * **Aspect ratio** and **Resolution** give way to **Size**: * **Auto** picks a size from your images and prompt. * **Source image size** keeps the first image's own width and height. * **Custom** lets you set **Width** and **Height**. Each must be a multiple of 32 and at least 256 px, the total can't pass 2048 × 2048 pixels, and the shape can't be wider than 6:1. Remove all reference images and the usual controls come back. ## On Auto With reference images, Auto treats your prompt as an edit instruction and picks a model for you. **Number of images** set to Auto gives you 2 images instead of 4. ## Masks on GPT Image 2.5 On GPT Image 2.5 you can paint a mask on a reference image. "A masked run keeps the shape of the image you painted on." ## Style references on Ideogram 3.0 Ideogram 3.0 takes no reference images, but you can steer its look with up to 10 **Style reference images** under **Advanced settings**. See [Image Settings](/create/image-settings.md#style). ## Related * [Describe](/create/describe.md): turn an image into a prompt instead of attaching it. * [Models](/create/models.md): what each model does well. * [Create Videos](/create/video.md): video takes images, video and audio as references.