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Turn your notes into flashcards you can study on your desktop

Upload a PDF, slides, notes or a photo of a page. DeckOwl builds flashcards you review in your browser on your computer, with spaced repetition scheduling. No credit card needed to start.

Create flashcards nowFree · No credit card required

Drop files here or browsePDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or photos of your notes · several files with Plus

Free · First set needs no signup · Creates flashcards in seconds

Why a desktop flashcard app works best with your own material

A desktop flashcard app earns its place when the cards come from the material you are actually studying. Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain-text notes or a photo of a page, and DeckOwl reads the text and drafts question-and-answer cards from it.

Reads PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text and images of pages
Spaced repetition schedules reviews by how well you recall each card
Study in the browser on any desktop or laptop
Quizzes and mind maps are available alongside flashcards

Example high school biology flashcards

What is the function of ribosomes?They build proteins by translating mRNA into a polypeptide chain.

What is osmosis?The movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane toward the side with higher solute concentration.

What does the Golgi apparatus do?It modifies, sorts and packages proteins and lipids for transport.

How do mitosis and meiosis differ?Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid cells; meiosis produces four genetically varied haploid gametes.

Where do the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur?In the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast.

Generate the full set

Upload what you already have

PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain-text notes and photos of pages are all read and turned into cards.

Spaced repetition built in

Cards you miss come back sooner, and cards you know move out of the rotation.

Runs in your browser

Open DeckOwl on any desktop or laptop and study without installing a separate program.

How it works

Upload your material

Add a file or a photo of your notes, and DeckOwl reads the text.

Review the generated cards

Edit or keep the flashcards it drafts from your material.

Study on a schedule

Spaced repetition spaces out your reviews based on how well you recall each card.

Cards then go into a spaced repetition schedule, so the ones you miss come back sooner and the ones you know fade out of the rotation. You study in your browser on a computer, and the free plan includes three generations a month.

If you need to move cards into other tools, Plus adds PDF, DOCX, Anki and CSV export, so your deck is not locked to one screen.

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Turn PDFs, slides, notes and photos into spaced repetition flashcards. Free to start.

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Frequently asked questions

How many flashcards should I make from one lecture?

Aim for one card per distinct fact, definition or cause you would need to recall on an exam. Most lectures produce somewhere between 15 and 40 useful cards, and trimming duplicates matters more than hitting a number.

How often should I review flashcards with spaced repetition?

Review daily in short sessions, since spacing works best when you see each card again just before you would forget it. Cards you find hard will appear more often, which is the point of the schedule.

Can I use DeckOwl on a desktop computer without installing anything?

Yes, DeckOwl runs in your browser, and the free plan lets you study there with three generations a month. You do not need a separate desktop program to start.

Do I have to pay to export my flashcards?

Yes, exports are part of the Plus plan at $39/year or $7.99/month, which adds PDF, DOCX, Anki and CSV export. Students can get 40% off with a school email.

Generate free flashcards

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.