---
title: "CLIP Skip: Adjusting text interpretation depth | Runware Docs"
url: https://runware.ai/docs/learn/clip-skip
description: Adjusts which text encoder layer interprets your prompt, shifting between literal and abstract output.
relatedDocuments:
  - https://runware.ai/docs/learn/text-to-image
  - https://runware.ai/docs/learn/cfg-scale
---
## Introduction

The `clipSkip` parameter controls **which layer of the CLIP text encoder is used** to interpret your prompt. By skipping deeper layers, you change how the model reads your text, shifting between literal interpretation and more abstract, stylistic output.

Most diffusion models use a component called CLIP (Contrastive Language-Image Pre-training), which contains a text encoder that **translates your prompt into a numerical representation** the model can understand. This text encoder is a neural network with multiple layers, each extracting different levels of meaning:

- **Deeper layers** (lower skip values) focus on abstract, semantic, and stylistic aspects of your prompt.
- **Earlier layers** (higher skip values) emphasize literal, concrete interpretations.

Adjusting `clipSkip` lets you tune whether the model follows your prompt closely or takes more creative liberties with style and composition.

For sticker images, using a `clipSkip` value of `2` is preferred, leading to a **simpler, cleaner result** that better fits the minimalistic style expected of a sticker.

![A smiling avocado with sunglasses sticker, ClipSkip 0](https://runware.ai/docs/assets/clipskip-1-0.ChwROx-d_ZHUfNQ.jpg)

*ClipSkip 0*

> **Prompt**: Smiling avocado with sunglasses emoji, stickers pack, outline, white borders, detailed, cartoon, black background

![A smiling avocado with sunglasses sticker, ClipSkip 1](https://runware.ai/docs/assets/clipskip-1-1.BgzAJTFE_2qN4T9.jpg)

*ClipSkip 1*

> **Prompt**: Smiling avocado with sunglasses emoji, stickers pack, outline, white borders, detailed, cartoon, black background

![A simpler smiling avocado with sunglasses sticker, ClipSkip 2](https://runware.ai/docs/assets/clipskip-1-2.yUCChov5_1dhib5.jpg)

*ClipSkip 2*

> **Prompt**: Smiling avocado with sunglasses emoji, stickers pack, outline, white borders, detailed, cartoon, black background

For photorealistic portrait images where capturing fine details and realism is more important, not using `clipSkip` produces a **richer and more detailed image** that better matches the intended outcome.

![Stylized portrait of a woman, ClipSkip 0](https://runware.ai/docs/assets/clipskip-2-0.CKnlrZKD_Z1XslDR.jpg)

*ClipSkip 0*

> **Prompt**: A stylized portrait of a woman with vibrant orange and teal makeup, short platinum hair, and big statement earrings, captured in bright sunlight with colorful reflections around her. Fresh, bold, energetic

![Stylized portrait of a woman, ClipSkip 1](https://runware.ai/docs/assets/clipskip-2-1.Dgsk22oZ_Z19R1Wl.jpg)

*ClipSkip 1*

> **Prompt**: A stylized portrait of a woman with vibrant orange and teal makeup, short platinum hair, and big statement earrings, captured in bright sunlight with colorful reflections around her. Fresh, bold, energetic

![Stylized portrait of a woman, ClipSkip 2](https://runware.ai/docs/assets/clipskip-2-2.3EyDnc52_2nY7Ti.jpg)

*ClipSkip 2*

> **Prompt**: A stylized portrait of a woman with vibrant orange and teal makeup, short platinum hair, and big statement earrings, captured in bright sunlight with colorful reflections around her. Fresh, bold, energetic

## Request structure

The `clipSkip` parameter is an integer passed at the top level of your generation request.

```json
[
  {
    "taskType": "imageInference",
    "model": "civitai:101055@128078",
    "positivePrompt": "Smiling avocado with sunglasses emoji, stickers pack",
    "clipSkip": 2,
    "steps": 30,
    "width": 1024,
    "height": 1024
  }
]
```

## Recommended values

The optimal `clipSkip` value depends on your use case and the content you're generating:

| Use case | Recommended value | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Photorealism, portraits** | 0 (disabled) | Deeper layers preserve fine detail, skin texture, and accurate color reproduction |
| **Anime, illustrations** | 1 - 2 | Many anime-trained models respond well to skipping 1-2 layers. The output becomes more stylized and compositionally bold |
| **Stickers, flat art** | 2 | Skipping more layers produces cleaner lines and simpler forms that suit flat design |
| **Abstract, experimental** | 2 - 3 | Higher skip values push the model toward looser, more interpretive output |

## Architecture notes

> [!WARNING]
> `clipSkip` **only applies to models that use the CLIP text encoder**, such as SD 1.5 and SDXL-based models. Other models that rely on different text encoders (like T5 or LLaMA) will not be affected by this parameter.
> 
> Note that SDXL models already skip one layer by default, so setting `clipSkip` to `2` with SDXL effectively skips three layers from the original encoder.

Models like FLUX, Recraft, and other non-CLIP architectures ignore this parameter entirely. If you're unsure whether your model uses CLIP, omit `clipSkip` and let the default behavior take effect.

## Tips

1. **Default to 0 for most work.** Unless you're targeting a specific stylistic effect, the default (no skip) gives you the most faithful interpretation of your prompt.
2. **Match the model's training.** Many community models on Civitai list a recommended `clipSkip` value. If the model was fine-tuned with `clipSkip: 2`, using that value will produce output closest to the model's intended aesthetic.
3. **Pair with LoRAs carefully.** Some LoRAs are trained with a specific `clipSkip` value. Mismatching can produce unexpected style shifts. Check the LoRA's documentation if available.