Turn your own notes into flashcards you can print and write on
Pre-made printable sets rarely match your class. Upload your PDFs, slides, notes or photos of pages, and DeckOwl builds flashcards from your material that you can study on screen or print and annotate.
Why writing on cards still helps
Writing an answer by hand forces you to rebuild the idea in your own words, which is why many students prefer flashcards you can write on during early review. Pre-printed sets are usually generic, though, and rarely match the chapter your instructor covered.
- Start with your own PDF, slides or notes rather than a generic printable deck.
- Print the PDF export on Plus and write your answer before checking the back.
- Mark cards you missed and review them first in the next session.
- Use the free plan to test the cards in the browser before paying for exports.
Built from your material
Upload PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, plain text or photos of pages. The cards cover what your course actually taught.
Print-ready PDF export
Plus exports your flashcard set as a PDF, so you can print cards and write notes, corrections or diagrams on them.
Spaced repetition
Review schedules adjust to what you remember, so you spend time on the cards you are most likely to miss.
How it works
Upload your notes
Add a PDF, slide deck, document, text file or image of a page. Text recognition reads photos too.
Generate and review
DeckOwl creates flashcards from the content. Edit or delete any card before you start studying.
Study or print
Study in the browser on the free plan, or export a PDF on Plus to print cards you can write on.
DeckOwl creates the cards from your own material, so the content fits your course. On the Plus plan you can export them as a PDF, print the set, and annotate each card with corrections or diagrams. Digital review with spaced repetition works alongside the printed copy.
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Frequently asked questions
How many flashcards should I make for an introductory biology unit?
Aim for one card per key term, process or distinction in the unit, which often lands between 40 and 80 cards for a chapter-sized topic. Cut any card you cannot explain in a sentence, and add cards for topics you keep missing.
Is it better to write flashcard answers by hand or type them?
Handwriting tends to slow you down enough to rebuild the idea, while typing is faster for large sets. Many students write answers on printed cards for early review and switch to digital spaced repetition later.
Can I print flashcards I can write on from DeckOwl?
Yes, on the Plus plan you can export your flashcards as a PDF and print them. Plus costs $39 per year or $7.99 per month, and the free plan lets you study in the browser without exports.
Is there a free way to create flashcards from my notes?
The free plan includes 3 generations per month and browser study, but it does not include exports. Students with a school email get 40% off paid plans, and no credit card is needed to start.
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