Image Upscaler
Enhance image resolution and quality with AI. Two modes, multiple engines, and up to 16x upscaling.
The Image Upscaler takes a low-resolution image and outputs a sharper, larger version. Choose between Creative mode for AI-enhanced detail and Precision mode for faithful reproduction. Available as a standalone tool and inside the Image Editor.
In this article
- Creative vs Precision at a glance
- How to upscale an image
- Creative mode
- Precision mode
- Tips and best practices
Creative vs Precision at a glance
| Feature | Creative | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Max scale | 4x | 4x |
| AI creativity | High. Reimagines and adds detail. | Low. Faithful reproduction. |
| Best for | Art, illustrations, creative content | Photos, products, print |
| Prompt support | Yes (Magnific model) | No |
| Models | Magnific, Classic | Magnific v2 (sublime, photo, photo denoiser), Magnific v1 (high HDR) |
How to upscale an image
Open the Image Upscaler
Go to freepik.com/ai/image-upscaler, or open the Image Editor and select Upscale from the tool menu.
Upload your image
Drag and drop, paste a URL, or pick from your recent creations.
Choose a mode
Creative for AI-enhanced detail (art, illustrations). Precision for faithful scaling (photos, products, print).
Set the scale
2x or 4x for Creative. Up to 16x for Precision.
Configure settings
Pick an engine or model, choose a preset, and adjust sliders if needed (see sections below).
Add a prompt (Creative mode only)
Optionally describe what the image contains to help the AI make better enhancement decisions.
Click Generate
The upscaled image appears. Compare it with the original before downloading.
Creative mode (Magnific)
Creative mode uses Magnific to upscale with AI-generated detail enhancement. It can reimagine textures, add fine details, and produce results that go beyond simple interpolation. Best for digital art, illustrations, 3D renders, and any content where you want the AI to contribute creatively. Two models are available: Magnific (full control) and Classic (quick presets).
Models
| Model | Best for |
|---|---|
| Magnific | Larger outputs with rich visual detail. Full control with Creativity, HDR, and Resemblance sliders. |
| Classic | Quick processing with style presets (Subtle, Vivid, Wild). Simpler controls. |
Presets
| Preset | What it does |
|---|---|
| Subtle | Minimal AI interpretation. Stays very close to the original. |
| Vivid | Balanced. Noticeable improvement while respecting the original content. |
| Wild | Maximum AI creativity. May add significant new details and textures. |
| Custom | Set each slider manually for full control. |
Sliders
All sliders range from -10 to +10.
| Slider | What it controls |
|---|---|
| Creativity | How much the AI can reimagine details. Negative values stay close to the source, positive values add new detail. |
| HDR | Dynamic range enhancement. Higher values produce more dramatic contrast between light and dark areas. |
| Resemblance | How closely the output matches the original. Negative values give the AI more freedom, positive values keep it faithful. |
Optimized For
Select the content category that best describes your image. This guides the AI's enhancement strategy. 13 categories are available: Standard Ultra, Portrait Soft, Portrait Hard, Art, Illustrations, Video Games, Nature, Landscape, 3D Renders, Films, Photography, Science Fiction, Horror.
Prompt
Optional text guidance. Describe what the image contains so the AI can make better decisions about what details to add. For example: "A detailed portrait of a woman in natural lighting." Prompts are especially useful when the image content is ambiguous.
Precision mode
Precision mode focuses on faithful, high-resolution upscaling. What you put in is what you get out, just bigger and sharper. Best for photos, product images, and any content where accuracy matters more than creativity.
Models
| Model | Best for |
|---|---|
| Magnific v2 (sublime) | Highest quality. Balanced enhancement across all image types. |
| Magnific v2 (photo) | Optimized specifically for photographs. |
| Magnific v2 (photo denoiser) | Noise removal during upscaling. Ideal for low-light or compressed images. |
| Magnific v1 (high HDR) | Enhanced dynamic range. Good for images that need stronger contrast. |
Presets
| Preset | Best for |
|---|---|
| Balanced | General-purpose upscaling suitable for most images. |
| Portraits | Optimized for faces and skin. Preserves natural texture. |
| Grainy Analog | Preserves film grain aesthetic for analog-style photography. |
Sliders
All sliders range from 0 to 100:
| Slider | What it controls |
|---|---|
| Sharpness | Edge sharpness enhancement. |
| Grain | Film grain control. Increase to add grain, decrease to reduce it. |
Tips and best practices
Start with a preset, then fine-tune sliders. Presets are designed as sensible starting points. Adjust individual sliders only when you need more control.
Use Creative mode with a prompt. Describing what the image contains gives the AI direction on what details to add. The results are noticeably better with a prompt than without.
Use Precision mode for photos and products. When accuracy matters more than creative enhancement, Precision keeps the output faithful to the original.
Higher scales work better with Precision. Creative mode is designed for AI-enhanced detail at moderate scales. For faithful reproduction at larger sizes, use Precision.
Always set Optimized For in Creative mode. Selecting the right content category (Portrait, Nature, 3D, Film, etc.) dramatically improves results.
Generate at low resolution first, upscale the winners. If you are using the Image Generator, start at 1K for fast iteration. Once you find the image you like, upscale it to 4K. This saves both time and credits.
Use Magnific v2 (photo denoiser) for low-quality source images. Old photos, screenshots, or heavily compressed images benefit from noise removal during upscaling.
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