> 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/using-ideogram/generation-settings/character-reference.md). # Character Creating visually consistent characters across multiple images has long been a challenge in AI image generation—until now. With Character Reference, you can define and reuse distinctive characters so that facial features, hairstyles, and other key traits remain consistent from one image to the next. This feature gives you greater creative control and continuity, whether you’re illustrating a story or exploring different settings with the same character. Once defined, your characters can be customized and reused with new prompts, helping you build cohesive image series quickly. In the sections below, you’ll learn how to create, manage, and use Character References effectively, along with tips for combining them with other features such as [Remix](/using-ideogram/features-and-tools/remix.md) and [Magic Fill](/canvas-and-editing/canvas/magic-fill.md). ## Accessing Character Reference ### **From the Prompt Box** 1. Click or tap inside the Prompt Box to reveal the option bar (if it isn’t already visible). 2. Open the **Tools** button to see the available generation tools. 3. Then select the **Character** button to open a popup where you can access your existing Character References or create a new one.

Ideogram home page with the Tools toggle and the Character button highlighted in the Prompt Box option bar

Image options — Popup showing your Character References.

If you select an existing character, its thumbnail appears in one of two locations depending on context. In standard views, it appears below your prompt in the Prompt Box. On the Character Page, the thumbnail appears larger at the top left of the Prompt Box.

Small thumbnail of a curly-haired woman above a Character label — Character thumbnail in the Prompt Box.

Selecting **New Character** opens the dedicated **Character** page, where you can define and manage your custom Character References. ### Other locations You can access the Character feature from several other locations: 1. Select the **Character** tab

on the [Navigation Bar](/using-ideogram/ui-overview/ui-components/navigation-bar.md) on the side (desktop) or bottom (mobile) to open the Character page. 2. Click or tap the **Character** button in the [Details Panel](/using-ideogram/ui-overview/ui-components/details-panel.md) when viewing a single image to use that image as a Character Reference. 3. Click the **More** icon

while hovering over an image in the [Image Gallery](/using-ideogram/ui-overview/ui-components/image-gallery.md), then choose **Character** from the [More menu](/using-ideogram/ui-overview/ui-components/more-menu-....md). ## How to use a Character Reference ### Create or choose a Character On the Character page, click or tap the **New Character** button in the upper-right corner to create a new Character Reference. You can add an image as a Character Reference in one of three ways: 1. **Camera** — This enables you to take a picture with your device/computer and use it as a character reference. You may need to authorize your browser or app to access your camera. 2. **Upload** — Browse images from your device or computer and upload one. 3. **Library** — Browse your images on Ideogram and select one as a reference.

Options to add a Character Reference using Camera, Upload, or Library.

Alternatively, you can select an existing *Character Reference*. Your selected image appears in the top-left corner of the *Prompt Box*.

Prompt Box with a young boy's portrait attached as the reference, Realistic style selected, and template cards below — *Prompt Box on the Character Page showing a selected Character Reference.*

{% hint style="success" %} **Tip:** A portrait-style image with a clear, well-lit face (preferably at a slight angle) yields the best results. {% endhint %} #### When on the Home Page If a Character Reference is active in the [Prompt Box](/using-ideogram/ui-overview/ui-components/prompt-box.md), selecting on it will display two buttons: * **Describe** — Activates the Describe function, which adds a description of the image to the Prompt Box. * **Edit Mask** — Opens the mask editor, allowing you to modify how the AI interprets the selected Character Reference. (See [How Masking Works](#how-masking-works) below for details.) Selecting the **X** icon removes the Character Reference from the Prompt Box. #### When on the Character Page Hovering over the Character thumbnail at the top of the prompt box will reveal the **More** Icon

and clicking on it will give you two options: * **Edit character mask** — Opens the mask editor so you can adjust which areas of the image are used by the AI. * **Remove image** — Deletes the image from the Character Reference. You can select or upload a new one to replace it. Alternatively, selecting the image itself opens the Edit Character Mask function directly. ### Personalizing your Character Now that you’ve selected a Character Reference image, follow these steps to generate an image with it: 1. Choose how you want to describe the image to be generated: * **Write a prompt** that details your character and background, or * **Choose a template** from the available predefined options for a quick start.\ (Templates appear below the Prompt Box on the Character Page. You can reopen them by selecting the **Templates** button next to **Generate**.) 2. Select a **Style**: * **Auto** — Automatically selects the optimal style based on your prompt. * **Realistic** — Creates lifelike photography with natural colors, textures, and lighting. * **Fiction** — Creates imaginative characters with artistic variation.

Style selection interface showing Auto, Realistic, and Fiction options.

3. Apply the other generation options such as **Public/Private**, **Aspect Ratio**, and others, except: 1. **Unavailable options**: *Color Palette, Negative Prompt, Seed Number.* 2. Any previously selected Style Reference is disabled when using a Character Reference. 4. Once ready, click **Generate** to create your image. Here are a few examples:

Portrait photo of a woman with wavy red hair in a cream cardigan beside a sprig of lavender — Original image.

Queen of hearts playing card illustration with the same woman's face as the crowned queen — Generated with the Fiction style.

The same woman in a straw hat and white dress smiling while riding a mint-green scooter — Generated with the Realistic style.

## How Masking Works When you select an image as a Character Reference, the AI automatically identifies and masks the face and hair from that image. You can adjust the mask to refine results—for example, to modify a character’s hairstyle or preserve accessories. For instance, consider the following prompt: > *A woman with vibrant blue pixie-cut hair.* With the default mask, the generated image doesn’t fully reflect the requested hairstyle, only a small color overlay appears on the original hair.

Default mask highlighting the face and hair.

By erasing the hair area from the default mask, the AI can replace the hairstyle and apply a consistent color more effectively.

Result showing new hairstyle with uniform color.

Conversely, you can preserve more of the original image to maintain specific details, such as a hat, jewelry, or other distinctive elements. Consider the following prompt: > *A woman wearing a red ruby pendant and a red evening gown.* With the default AI mask, the generated image doesn’t preserve the look of the pendant and generates one with a different appearance.

Generated image showing altered pendant design.

By editing the default mask to include the pendant, the generated image successfully preserved the pendant’s original appearance.

Generated image with original pendant preserved.

{% hint style="info" %} **Tip:** Use the mask editor to fine-tune which details the AI preserves or replaces. Small adjustments often lead to noticeably improved results. {% endhint %} ## Using a Character Reference with Other Features While Character Reference is a powerful feature on its own, combining it with tools like [Magic Fill](/canvas-and-editing/canvas/magic-fill.md) and [Remix](/using-ideogram/features-and-tools/remix.md) allows you to create exactly the image you have in mind. For example, you might already have generated an image that meets most of your requirements. However, the image may not fully match your vision. Below are two methods you can use, depending on your needs. ### Using Remix To preserve the overall composition and environment of the original image, Remix is an excellent solution. Here’s how: 1. Select the image you want to remix, then click **Remix** in the right-side panel. 2. In the Prompt Box, click the **Character** tab to access existing Character References or create a new one. 3. Provide a detailed prompt describing the character’s physical appearance and the environment. 4. Adjust the image weight for the remixed image (usually between 60–80; some experimentation may be needed to find the optimal value). 5. Set the other options to your liking. It’s recommended to turn Magic Prompt **Off** to preserve the intended character and environment. 6. Click **Remix** to generate the images.

Prompt Box with a detailed pub-scene prompt, a Character thumbnail, and a Remix weight of 65

Bearded brown-haired man drinking a pint of stout at a pub table with coins and fish and chips, a Ryan's sign behind — Image to Remix.

Man with long red hair and a sweeping handlebar mustache in a leather vest against a rocky landscape — Character reference.

The red-haired mustached character drinking a stout at the pub table, closely matching the original scene — Result using Remix.

The mustached character in a plaid shirt holding a pale lager in a brighter pub that differs from the original — Result with prompt only.

### Using Magic Fill If you need to preserve as much of the background and environment as possible, Magic Fill can be an excellent solution. There are many ways to proceed, here’s one of them: 1. Select the original image where you want to change the character. 2. Click **Open** in Canvas in the [Details Panel](/using-ideogram/ui-overview/ui-components/details-panel.md). 3. Select the **Magic Fill** icon in the Left Sidebar. 4. Mask the area of the character you want to replace. 5. Click or tap **Next**. 6. Click **Character** at the bottom of the Prompt Box. 7. Select or create a Character Reference. 8. Write a detailed prompt describing the new character’s physical features and the environment. 9. Click **Magic Fill** to generate the images.

Original pub scene of a bearded man drinking a stout, before the character swap — Original image.

Magic Fill canvas with the man's face masked in pink, plus the prompt, Character chip, and Magic Fill button — Magic Fill mask, Character and prompt.

Pub scene with the red-haired mustached character replacing the original man while the background is preserved — Result of Character and Magic Fill.

{% hint style="info" %} See [Remix](/using-ideogram/features-and-tools/remix.md) and [Magic Fill](/canvas-and-editing/canvas/magic-fill.md) to learn more about how to use each feature. {% endhint %}