> 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
Add reference images to Ideogram for image editing, product scenes and consistent characters. Compare model limits, use @ mentions and fix inactive references.
Add a reference image, then describe the change you want.
## Start from an image
**Ideogram 4.5 · Precise Edit**
Source: the room before the edit.
Result: the sofa changes to green velvet.
Read the prompt
> Change the sofa upholstery to deep forest green velvet. Keep the sofa's shape and the rest of the room exactly the same.
**Compare the details:** look at the sofa's fabric, then the table, flowers and framed print. Check each part you wanted to keep before using the result.
An image can carry the room, subject or layout while your prompt describes a change. This Ideogram 4.5 example comes from Precise Edit; see [Masks and Inpainting](/edit/masks-and-inpainting.md#edit-again-and-again-multi-turn-editing) for the full sequence.
A reference image gives the model something to work from besides your words, such as a product to place in a new scene, a photo to restyle or restore, or a character to keep the same across a comic, children's book or brand campaign. You attach it next to your prompt, then describe what you want.
## Add a reference image
### From the Home prompt box
1. Click **Add reference images**.
2. Choose your images.
You can also paste or drag an image onto the box.
### In the Image app
1. Choose a model that takes references.
2. Add images in the **Reference images** field of the panel.
### From your Library
1. Open an image's menu.
2. Choose **Use as reference**.
You can also type `@` in the prompt to pick one of your own images (see below).
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.
### What does Not used mean?
When a model accepts fewer references than you have attached, the extra tiles are marked **Not used**. The run uses only the references within that model's limit. An inactive tile is different from a broken image upload.
If your prompt still mentions an inactive image, generation is blocked with **A mentioned image is not used by this model. Remove the mention or choose a model that uses it.** Remove that mention or return to a model with enough reference slots. Don't rely on a **Not used** image to guide the result.
## Mention an image with @
1. Type `@` in the prompt. Suggestions include images already attached to the prompt. Type a search term to find images in your Library.
2. Pick an image. 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."
### Give each reference a role
For a product in a new scene, attach a product photo and a scene photo, then insert each reference's pill from the `@` menu. For example, if the pills are `@img_1` and `@img_2`:
> Place the bottle from @img\_1 on the table in @img\_2. Keep the bottle label visible. Use the lighting and camera angle of the scene.
Tell the model what should come from each reference and inspect the result before using it. The labels shown in your prompt can differ; select the actual pills rather than typing a guessed file name.
### Remove a reference or its mention
Removing an attached reference also removes its bindings from the prompt. If an image was introduced only by an `@` mention, deleting its last mention removes that reference too. An image you attached manually can remain after you delete its mentions; remove its tile as well if you no longer want it used.
## 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.
## 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; total area can't exceed 4,194,304 pixels, and the ratio can't exceed 6:1 or 1:6. See [custom size examples](https://docs.ideogram.ai/create/pages/JFpq87UvVKb2DYDQdwSa#size-on-ideogram-4.5-with-reference-images).
Remove all reference images and the usual controls come back.
## Keep a character consistent
To put the same person, mascot or character in a new scene, use **Ideogram 4.5** with reference images:
1. In the Image app, choose **Ideogram 4.5**.
2. Add one to five clear images of the character in **Reference images**. Shots of the face from a few angles work best.
3. Describe the new scene and refer to the character by its tag, for example: `@img_1 sitting at a café table, reading a newspaper, morning light`.
4. Click **Generate**. Use the same reference images each time you want that character again.
With references attached, your prompt works as an edit instruction, so say what should change and keep the rest of the prompt short. See [What changes on Ideogram 4.5](#what-changes-on-ideogram-4.5).
## 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
To change only one area of an image, paint a mask on it. Ideogram 4.5 (in the Precise Edit app) and GPT Image 2.5 both take masks. See [Masks and Inpainting](/edit/masks-and-inpainting.md).
## 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).
Use a regular reference when the image's subject or content should be an input to the edit. Use a style reference when you want to guide the look of a new Ideogram 3.0 generation. Use [Describe](/create/describe.md) when you want words based on an image rather than the image attached to the generation.
## In this topic: consistent results
1. **Reference Images** (this page): guide a result with your own images
2. [Characters](/organize-and-share/characters.md): save a character and reuse it
3. [Custom Models](/create/custom-models.md): train a model on your style or product
4. [Training Tips](/create/custom-models/custom-model-training-tips.md): build a training set that works
## 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.
