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Pick the right Anki deck type and turn any PDF into flashcards

Learn how each Anki card format works, then upload your own slides, notes or PDFs and get flashcards with spaced repetition.

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How Anki organizes cards

Most people searching for Anki deck types are really trying to decide which note type fits their material. Anki groups cards into decks, which are like folders for a topic, but the card format comes from the note type. A Basic note type makes one card per note, while Basic (and reversed card) makes two, so you can recall a term from either side.

Basic: one card per note, front and back fields.
Basic (and reversed card): two cards per note, one in each direction.
Cloze: hidden words inside a sentence, one card per cloze number.
Type-in-the-answer: you type the response and Anki checks it against the correct text.

Example Anki note types and the cards each one creates

What does a Basic note type create from one note?One card, with the Front field shown first and the Back field as the answer.

What does Basic (and reversed card) create from one note?Two cards: one shows Front and asks for Back, the other shows Back and asks for Front.

What does a cloze note type do with the text Mitosis has {{c1::four}} phases?It hides the word four as a prompt, since the cloze hides the answer while keeping the sentence for context.

When should you use type-in-the-answer cards?When you need to recall exact spelling or wording, because typing the answer forces active recall before you see the correct text.

Why do two cloze numbers in one note create two cards?Each cloze number is hidden on its own card, so every gap is tested separately and reviewed on its own schedule.

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Cards from your own material

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text notes or a photo of a page and get flashcards built from that content.

Spaced repetition built in

Reviews are scheduled over time so you see weak cards more often and strong cards less often.

Export when you need it

Plus exports to Anki, PDF, DOCX and CSV, so your cards can move into the tools you already use.

How it works

Upload your material

Add a PDF, slides, notes or images of pages. Text in photos is read with text recognition.

Review the generated flashcards

Check the cards, keep the ones that fit your course and study them in the browser.

Export to Anki if you prefer

On Plus, export your deck to Anki and keep reviewing there with the note type you choose.

Cloze note types hide part of a sentence and create a separate card for each cloze number, which suits definitions and facts in context. Type-in-the-answer cards ask you to type the response before showing the correct text. Choosing the format that matches how you will be tested makes reviews far more useful.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an Anki deck and a note type?

A deck is a container that holds cards for a subject, while a note type defines the fields and templates used to create those cards. Any note type can be used in any deck.

Which Anki note type works best for vocabulary?

Basic (and reversed card) is a common choice for vocabulary because you practice meanings in both directions. Cloze suits words that appear inside example sentences.

Can DeckOwl export flashcards to Anki?

Yes, Anki export is included in the Plus plan along with PDF, DOCX and CSV exports. The free plan lets you study in the browser but does not include exports.

How many flashcards should I review each day?

Pick a session length you can finish every day, since spaced repetition schedules reviews over time. A steady 15 to 20 minutes works for many students.

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Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.