Midjourney Fast Hours and Relax Mode – Beginner Guide
Midjourney uses powerful GPUs for image generation, offering different speeds across its subscription plans: Fast, Relax, and Turbo.
From my experience, Relax Mode might take around 8 minutes for each image in peak hours, while Fast Mode can cut this down to roughly one minute. When I began my journey with the basic plan, I quickly used up all my Fast Hours in just a few hours.
Understanding the concept of fast and relaxed mode ensures we make the most out of Midjourney’s capabilities.
What are Fast Hours?
Fast Hours in Midjourney allows users to use allocated GPU time monthly for quicker image processing, enhancing productivity by enabling more experimentation in less time. It optimizes resource use during peak periods.
GPU time is essentially the computational resources required to process and generate images using the platform’s advanced AI algorithms. With Fast Hours, users can tap into these resources more efficiently, speeding up the image generation process.
There are also two other modes, Relax and Turbo, which offer different image generation speeds.
For an improved user experience, it’s useful to consider incorporating tips on how to efficiently manage and monitor Fast Hours usage, ensuring users can maximize their creative output within their subscription limits.
Fast Mode vs. Relaxed Mode vs. Turbo Mode
There are three speed modes for you to choose from:
Fast Mode: Offers immediate GPU access for quick image generation, ideal for urgent projects.
Relax Mode: Uses a queued system for image processing, focusing on creativity and exploration without the rush, suitable for projects where time is not a constraint.
Turbo Mode: Boosts AI processing speed for the fastest image delivery, best for when time is of the essence. According to Midjourney’s official documentation, when you run jobs in Turbo mode, they can go up to four times faster than usual, but they’ll use up twice as many GPU minutes from your subscription compared to jobs in Fast Mode.
I started Midjourney with the Basic plan, my initial excitement led to quickly using up all Fast Hours in a day due to constant prompt changes and image generations. I’ve since moved to the Standard plan, allowing for a more balanced approach to match my workflow.
My Tips: I’ve noticed that Turbo mode doesn’t seem much faster than the regular Fast Mode for many tasks; they often take a similar amount of time. So, I think sticking with the regular Fast Mode should be enough.
Setting Between Fast and Relax Modes
If you want to switch between the modes, use the /fast /turbo or /relax command in the prompt box.
You can also use the –relax, –turbo, or –fast parameters at the end of a prompt. Unfortunately, basic plan users cannot run this command.
You can also use the /settings command and choose between these three menus.
Subscription Plans and Fast Hours
Midjourney offers subscription plans tailored to diverse requirements, featuring varying Fast GPU hours and concurrent jobs for monthly or annual rates. These plans allow users to execute several image generation tasks simultaneously, substantially accelerating workflow. This capability is particularly beneficial for managing extensive projects or when quick iterations are essential.
Below is a table detailing the Fast GPU hours and concurrent jobs available in each subscription plan, helping you select the most appropriate option for your needs:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Fast GPU Hours | Concurrent Jobs |
| Basic | $10 | $96 ($8/month) | 3.3 hours | 3 (Fast mode only) |
| Standard | $30 | $288 ($24/month) | 15 hours | 3 (Fast mode only) |
| Pro | $60 | $576 ($48/month) | 30 hours | 12 (Fast) / 3 (Relaxed) |
| Mega | $120 | $1152 ($96/month) | 60 hours | 12 (Fast) / 3 (Relaxed) |
How to Check Your Remaining Fast Hours
To check your remaining Fast Hours in Midjourney, simply use the /info command in any channel or in your Direct Messages.
This command will send you a message only visible to you, which includes detailed information about your account, such as the amount of Fast time left for your subscription period, lifetime usage statistics, the number of queued or running jobs, and the subscription renewal date.
This feature enables you to efficiently manage your Fast GPU time, ensuring you maximize the benefits of your subscription by keeping track of your usage.
Purchasing Additional Fast Hours
You can buy additional Fast GPU hours for $4/hr. Remember that these hourly Prices are subject to change. But you can buy more Fast GPU hours on your Midjourney account page. These Fast GPU hours do not expire, but you need an active subscription to use them.
Earning Free Fast Hours
To earn additional Fast Hours in Midjourney, subscribers can engage in image ranking. Each day, by rating images, you have the opportunity to earn a free Fast GPU hour. This bonus is awarded to the top 2000 participants daily.
To participate, visit https://www.midjourney.com/rank and select your preferred image from each presented pair.
The Bonus hours are only valid for 30 days after they are granted. Thus, you can take part in their competition to earn the extra fast hours if your subscription is still active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions regarding the Midjourney image-generating modes.
Can Fast Hours roll over to the next month?
No, unused monthly Fast GPU time does not roll over to the next month. Fast mode is automatically reactivated when the subscription renews.
What happens to unused Fast Hours if I upgrade or downgrade my plan?
When upgrading, unused Fast GPU Time is credited towards your account if you choose to upgrade immediately. For example, if a Basic subscriber upgrades immediately without using any GPU time, they receive a $10 credit towards their new plan. Downgrades are always effective at the end of the current billing cycle.
