CLiP Skip

Warning

Using CLiP skip values without understanding their implications can lead to unexpected and most likely corrupt image outputs.

What is a CLiP skip

The CLiP text encoder has multiple layers, each adding a different level of prompt interpretation. Lower CLiP Skip values use more layers and usually follow prompts more closely. Higher values skip layers, which can produce more creative outputs but with weaker prompt adherence.

Why did it become popular? The original NovelAI SD 1.5 model was trained with CLiP Skip value 2. That model became a base for many anime-style derivatives, so CLiP Skip 2 became common in that segment.

However, newer models such as SDXL, FLUX, and most recent releases are trained with CLiP Skip value 1. Using CLiP Skip 2 on those models usually produces poor results.

Many online recommendations still suggest CLiP Skip 2. Most of them are outdated, except for specific NAI SD 1.5-derived models.

This confusion exists partly because some SD applications, including original Automatic1111, do not apply CLiP Skip to SDXL and other newer models. In those apps, setting CLiP Skip to 2 may have no effect.

SD.Next applies CLiP Skip across model families. Because of that, setting CLiP Skip to 2 can degrade results on SDXL and other newer models.

You can still experiment with CLiP Skip values if needed. To change it, unlock CLiP Skip in settings and then set the desired value.

Note

SD.Next also supports non-integer CLiP skip values, such as 1.2, 1.5, etc.