Correction, 2026-10-01: an earlier version of this page said Clarity is not a diffusion model, that 8frame runs it at 4x, and described results and timings (a 4096-pixel output "in about 15 to 20 seconds", "clear fabric texture") from runs we cannot document. Clarity is built on Stable Diffusion, and on 8frame it always enlarges 2x. The page now describes what the project and our configuration say.
Clarity Upscaler is an AI upscaler for still images that its authors describe as a "free and open-source Magnific Alternative". Like Magnific, it does not only enlarge pixels: it is built on Stable Diffusion with ControlNet and tiled diffusion, so it re-draws detail as it upscales. That is what makes it good at turning a soft generated image into a crisp one, and also why it can change small things you did not ask it to change.
How Clarity Upscaler works
Per its README, Clarity combines Stable Diffusion, ControlNet, tile processing and MultiDiffusion. In practice:
- The image is enlarged by a scale factor.
- It is split into tiles, and a diffusion model re-draws each tile, guided by the original so the composition stays put.
- Settings decide how far it may stray: "creativity" (how much new detail it may invent) and "resemblance" (how closely it must follow the input).
Because detail is re-drawn rather than interpolated, a Clarity result can look sharper than the source ever was. The trade-off is fidelity: lettering, logos and faces can shift slightly. For a product label or a brand mark, check the output at full size, or use a content-preserving upscaler instead.
The project is open source under the AGPL-3.0 licence. On Replicate, where 8frame runs it, its page says predictions typically complete within 17 seconds.
Clarity on 8frame
On the 8frame canvas, Clarity is one of three still-image upscalers in the upscale tool:
| Upscaler | Credits | Enlargement | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topaz Image Upscale (the tool's default) | 11 per 24-megapixel block of output | up to 4x | priced by output size |
| Clarity | 13 flat | always 2x | diffusion-based, re-draws detail |
| BRIA Increase Resolution | 6 flat | 2x or 4x, up to 8192 x 8192 | built to preserve the original content |
8frame runs Clarity at a fixed 2x with a low creativity setting, so a 1024 x 1024 image becomes 2048 x 2048 and outputs JPG. For 4x, use BRIA or Topaz. None of the three upscales video: 8frame has no video upscaler.
When you use Clarity Upscaler
A soft generated image that needs to look sharper. Clarity's re-drawing is the point here: it adds crispness the source does not have.
Screen delivery at roughly double size. A 1024-pixel image going to a 2048-pixel slot on a high-density screen.
When not to use it. Product packaging, logos, small text and faces you need unchanged. A content-preserving upscaler (BRIA on 8frame) is the safer choice, and cheaper at 6 credits.
For print, the arithmetic is simple: at 300 DPI, a 2048-pixel side prints at about 6.8 inches, and a 4096-pixel side (a 4x enlargement of a 1024-pixel image, on BRIA or Topaz) at about 13.7 inches.
FAQ
Is Clarity Upscaler free? The code is open source (AGPL-3.0), so you can run it yourself on suitable hardware. Hosted on 8frame it is 13 credits per image.
Does Clarity change the image? It can. It is diffusion-based and re-draws detail, so check lettering, logos and faces after upscaling.
Can Clarity upscale 4x on 8frame? No. 8frame runs Clarity at 2x. BRIA Increase Resolution does 2x or 4x for 6 credits, and Topaz goes up to 4x.
Sources
- What Clarity is built on and its licence: github.com/philz1337x/clarity-upscaler, checked 2026-10-01
- Typical run time on Replicate: replicate.com/philz1337x/clarity-upscaler, checked 2026-10-01
- How 8frame runs Clarity (2x, creativity and resemblance settings, JPG output), BRIA and Topaz, and their prices: 8frame upscale tool code and tool registry, read 2026-10-01
Related concepts
- Topaz vs Clarity Upscaling compares the still-image upscalers on the canvas and explains why none covers video.
- Nano Banana vs Seedream vs Flux covers the generation models that most commonly feed an upscale step.
- What Is AI Upscaling? explains the broader category, including the difference between faithful and generative upscalers.
Try it without signing up: the 8frame canvas opens on a real board. The canvas is free and unlimited; generation is paid from $19/month.