Turn any PDF into flashcards you can export to Anki
Upload your lecture PDF, textbook chapter or slides. DeckOwl builds flashcards from your own material with spaced repetition, and Plus lets you export them to Anki.
Why build your own deck instead of searching for one
Many students want to create Anki flashcards from PDF files because a ready-made deck rarely matches their course. This page is for making your own deck from the exact material your instructor assigned, not for downloading a printable set.
- Upload PDFs, slides, DOCX files, notes or photos of pages
- Cards are generated from your own material, so they match your course
- Spaced repetition schedules reviews based on what you recall
- Plus users export to Anki, PDF, DOCX and CSV
Reads your PDFs and slides
Upload PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text notes or photos of pages. Text recognition reads the content so the cards come from what you actually studied.
Spaced repetition built in
Cards are scheduled for review based on how well you recall them, so you spend time on the facts you are about to forget.
Export to Anki on Plus
Plus includes Anki export along with PDF, DOCX and CSV export. Free plan users study in the browser.
How it works
Upload your PDF
Add the chapter, handout or slide deck you need to learn. You can also paste notes or upload a photo of a page.
Generate and review cards
DeckOwl creates flashcards from your material. Edit any card that is unclear before you start studying.
Export to Anki
On Plus, export your deck to Anki and keep reviewing with its schedule, or study right in the browser.
DeckOwl reads the PDF, pulls out the key terms and definitions, and turns them into cards you can review. Because the cards come from your own pages, the wording and examples match what will appear on your exam.
Exporting to Anki is a Plus feature ($39 per year or $7.99 per month), and the free plan includes 3 generations per month with browser study. You can start without a credit card and upgrade when you want Anki sync.
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Frequently asked questions
How many flashcards should I make from one chapter on the water cycle?
Aim for one card per key term or process, which usually means 15 to 30 cards for a single chapter. Cards that test one idea each, such as evaporation or runoff, are easier to recall than long multi-part answers.
What makes a good flashcard for science reading?
A good card asks one specific question with a short answer you can check against your notes. Avoid cards that copy a whole paragraph, and add a card for the cause or the next step in a process.
Can I export to Anki for free?
No. Exporting to Anki is part of the Plus plan at $39 per year or $7.99 per month. The free plan lets you study in the browser with 3 generations per month.
Does it work with scanned pages or photos?
Yes. Photos of pages are read with text recognition, so you can generate flashcards from a scanned handout. Check the text on the generated cards if the photo was blurry.
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