Turn any PDF into flashcards you can export to Anki
Upload a lecture PDF, slides, or photos of a textbook page. DeckOwl builds flashcards with spaced repetition, and Plus lets you export the deck to Anki.
From PDF to Anki deck in three steps
Students who want to study a chapter in Anki often end up converting PDFs to Anki decks by hand, copying one term at a time.
- Works from the material you already have, not a generic question bank.
- Cards follow spaced repetition, so review time goes to the facts you are losing.
- Photos of printed pages can be turned into cards through text recognition.
- Exports to Anki, CSV, PDF, and DOCX are included in Plus.
PDFs, slides, and photos
Upload PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain-text notes, or images. Photos of pages are read with text recognition.
Spaced repetition built in
Cards are scheduled so you review the ones you are about to forget, not the ones you already know.
Export to Anki on Plus
Send your deck to Anki, or export as CSV, PDF, or DOCX with a Plus plan.
How it works
Upload your file
Add the PDF, slides, or notes you already have. No credit card is needed to start.
Review the cards
Check the generated terms and definitions, then edit or delete any card that is off.
Study or export
Study in the browser on the free plan, or export the deck to Anki with Plus.
DeckOwl pulls the key terms and definitions out of your own file, so the cards match what your instructor actually assigned. Edit anything that is off before you start studying.
The free plan includes 3 generations per month and browser study. Exporting to Anki is part of Plus, which costs $9.99/month or $99.90/year, and students get 40% off with a school email.
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Frequently asked questions
How many flashcards should I make from one PDF chapter?
Aim for one fact per card and split long definitions into two cards. Review the generated set and delete any card that tests trivia rather than ideas you need to recall.
How should I study flashcards so they stick?
Review cards in short daily sessions and say each answer aloud before you flip the card. Mark the cards you missed so spaced repetition shows them again sooner.
Can I export to Anki for free?
No. The free plan includes 3 generations per month and study in the browser only. Exports to Anki, CSV, PDF, and DOCX are part of Plus.
Can DeckOwl read photos of textbook pages?
Yes. Images are read with text recognition, so a photo of a page can become flashcards along with PDFs and slides.
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