DALL-E Prompt Writing Guide

DALL-E, OpenAI's image generation model, interprets text descriptions to create images. Unlike some other AI art tools that respond well to keyword lists, DALL-E excels when you write naturally—more like describing a scene to a skilled artist than entering search terms. This guide helps you write prompts that consistently produce the images you envision.

How DALL-E Differs from Other Tools

DALL-E's training emphasized natural language understanding, which means it interprets conversational descriptions more effectively than many competitors. Where Midjourney might respond well to "dog, beach, sunset, running, golden retriever," DALL-E produces better results with "A golden retriever running joyfully along a beach at sunset, with waves gently lapping at the shore."

DALL-E 3 also handles text in images remarkably well—a significant improvement over earlier models and a notable advantage over alternatives. If you need visible text in your image (signs, logos, titles), DALL-E is often the best choice. Use quotation marks to specify exact text: "A coffee shop exterior with a neon sign reading 'OPEN 24 HOURS'."

Structuring Effective Prompts

Think of your prompt as containing five key elements, though not every prompt needs all five.

The main subject is what your image is about. This should be clear and specific—the foundation everything else builds on.

The action or pose describes what's happening. Static images are fine, but consider whether movement or activity would add interest.

The setting establishes where the scene takes place. Environmental context often matters as much as the subject itself.

The style guides the aesthetic. Do you want photorealism, illustration, a specific artistic tradition?

The mood sets the emotional tone. Atmospheric words like "serene," "dramatic," or "whimsical" influence color choices, lighting, and composition.

A template that incorporates all five might look like: "A [adjective] [subject] [action] in/at [setting], [style description], [mood/atmosphere]."

Writing Compelling Descriptions

Specificity is your greatest lever. "A cat" is vague. "A fluffy orange tabby cat curled up on a velvet cushion in a sunbeam" gives DALL-E the detail it needs to generate something distinctive and interesting.

Include contextual details that enrich the scene without overwhelming it. Time of day dramatically affects lighting and mood: "at dawn," "during golden hour," "at midnight under streetlights." Weather adds atmosphere: "during a gentle rain," "on a foggy morning," "with storm clouds gathering." Setting details complete the picture: "in a modern minimalist kitchen," "within a Victorian library," "on a tree-lined Parisian street."

When specifying style, be explicit about what you want. For photography, terms like "professional photograph," "candid shot," "macro photography," "drone aerial view," or "long exposure" each suggest different techniques and aesthetics. For art, reference specific media: "oil painting," "watercolor on textured paper," "digital illustration," "pencil sketch." For overall look: "photorealistic," "minimalist," "vintage," "surreal."

Tips for Better Results

Iterate from simple to complex. Start with a basic prompt capturing your core concept. See what DALL-E generates, then add details to refine subsequent attempts. This approach often produces better results than trying to specify everything perfectly on the first try.

Use references to anchor the aesthetic. "In the style of Art Nouveau," "like a 1970s magazine advertisement," "reminiscent of Dutch Golden Age still life paintings"—these references compress many aesthetic choices into a single recognizable direction.

Be patient with variations. The same prompt will produce different results each time. If the first generation isn't quite right, regenerate before rewriting. Your perfect image might be one click away.

Know what to avoid. DALL-E has content policies that prevent certain generations. Requests for copyrighted characters, realistic depictions of public figures, or harmful content will be declined. Overly complex scenes with many subjects may not come together coherently. And contradictory instructions ("a dark sunny scene") confuse the model.

Common Use Cases

Product mockups: "Professional product photograph of [item] on a white background with soft studio lighting, showing [specific angle or feature]"

Social media content: "Eye-catching Instagram post featuring [subject], with vibrant colors, modern design aesthetic, and space for text overlay"

Marketing imagery: "Advertisement photograph for [product] in the style of [reference], designed to appeal to [target audience description]"

Conceptual illustrations: "Conceptual illustration representing [abstract concept], using [style] with [color palette] colors and [mood] atmosphere"

The Bottom Line

DALL-E rewards clear, descriptive language—write prompts as if you were describing the image you want to a talented artist who has never seen your vision. Be specific about what matters, explicit about style, and patient with the iterative process. The more precisely you can communicate your intent, the more likely DALL-E is to deliver exactly what you're imagining.