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Turn your notes into a flashcard box that schedules your reviews

Upload a PDF, slide deck, set of notes or a photo of a page and get flashcards that come back for review at the right time.

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

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A digital flashcard box for your own study material

If you want a box of cards you can review over weeks, a flashcard box works best when the cards come from your own course material. DeckOwl builds that box digitally, so you do not need to buy ready-made sets or print sheets first.

Turn lecture slides, textbook PDFs and handwritten notes into one set of cards.
Review only what is due today instead of re-reading everything.
Move cards into a stronger schedule as you recall them correctly.
Export to Anki or CSV on Plus when you want your cards in another app.

Example Leitner box flashcards for spaced review

What is the Leitner box system?A spaced repetition method that uses numbered boxes, where cards move to a higher box after a correct answer and return to box 1 after a miss.

Where does a card go after you answer it wrong in a Leitner box?Back to box 1, so it is reviewed again soon.

Why are higher-numbered Leitner boxes reviewed less often?Cards there have been recalled correctly several times, so they can wait longer before the next review.

Who developed the Leitner system?Sebastian Leitner, a German science journalist, who popularized the method in the 1970s.

What is spaced repetition?Reviewing material at increasing intervals so you practice recall just before you would otherwise forget it.

Generate the full set

Built from your material

Upload PDFs, DOCX or PPTX files, plain notes, or photos of pages. The text is read and turned into flashcards from what you actually studied.

Spaced repetition

Cards you find hard return sooner, and cards you know are spaced further apart, so review time goes to the material that needs it.

Study in the browser

The free plan lets you study your cards in the browser at no cost, with 3 generations per month and no credit card needed to start.

How it works

Upload your source

Add a PDF, slides, a document, notes or an image of a textbook page.

Review the generated cards

Check the flashcards DeckOwl creates and edit any that need clearer wording.

Study on a schedule

Work through the day's due cards and let spaced repetition bring back the ones you miss.

The classic card box method sorts cards into numbered compartments, and a card that is answered correctly moves to a box that gets checked less often. DeckOwl applies the same idea with spaced repetition, so each card is scheduled based on how well you recall it.

Students who want to export their cards can use the Plus plan, which supports PDF, DOCX, Anki and CSV export. The free plan keeps everything in the browser.

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Frequently asked questions

How does a Leitner flashcard box work?

You sort cards into numbered boxes. A card you answer correctly moves to the next box, which is reviewed less often, and a card you miss goes back to box 1 so you see it again soon.

How often should I review cards in each box?

Review the lowest-numbered boxes most often and the higher ones less often. Spaced repetition does this scheduling for you, so you only see cards when they are due.

Can I export my flashcards?

Exports are part of the paid plans. Plus includes PDF, DOCX, Anki and CSV export, while the free plan lets you study in the browser without exports.

Is it free to try DeckOwl?

Yes. The free plan includes 3 generations per month and browser study, and you do not need a credit card to start.

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Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.