Turn PDF notes into flashcards you can review on a schedule
Upload PDFs, slides, Word files, or photos of pages. DeckOwl reads the text and builds flashcards you review with spaced repetition.
How PDF note conversion works
Most students already have their notes as a PDF, so the quickest way to study them is to convert PDF notes to flashcards instead of retyping them by hand. The tool reads the text, picks out terms and definitions, and writes question and answer pairs you can review right away.
- Upload PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, or photos of pages
- Cards are drawn from your own notes, not generic question banks
- Spaced repetition schedules reviews based on what you miss
- Quizzes and mind maps can be generated from the same material
Works with the files you already have
Upload PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, or photos of pages. Text recognition reads scanned pages too.
Cards built from your own material
Every flashcard comes from your notes, so you study the exact content your class covers.
Spaced repetition built in
Cards you miss come back sooner and cards you know fade into longer gaps, so review time goes where it helps.
How it works
Upload your notes
Add a PDF, slide deck, document, or image of a page. No credit card is needed to start.
Generate flashcards
DeckOwl reads the text and drafts question and answer cards from the key terms and ideas.
Review on a schedule
Study in the browser and let spaced repetition decide when each card comes back.
Read through the generated cards before your first session. Edit any question that is too vague or any answer that missed a detail, since the cards are only as useful as the source material behind them. Keep each card to one idea so you can grade yourself honestly.
The free plan includes three generations per month with study in the browser. Paid plans remove the generation limit and add export to PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV for studying outside the site.
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Turn class notes into flashcards step by step, then review them with spaced repetition.
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Frequently asked questions
How many flashcards should I make from one chapter of notes?
Most chapters work well with somewhere between 15 and 40 cards, depending on how many terms and processes it introduces. Start with the concepts your instructor emphasized and add more only if you find gaps.
Should each flashcard hold one fact or a whole paragraph?
One fact per card works best because it lets you test recall in small pieces. Long paragraphs are hard to grade yourself on and make reviews slow.
Is there a free plan for converting PDF notes?
Yes, the free plan includes three generations per month and lets you study in the browser. Exports are not included on the free plan.
Can I export the flashcards to Anki?
Yes, export to Anki is available on the Plus plan at $39/year or $7.99/month. Plus also includes PDF, DOCX, and CSV export along with unlimited generations.
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