Get ready-to-import Anki decks made from your own PDFs and notes
Shared decks are a quick start, but DeckOwl builds flashcards from the exact pages, slides, or notes you need to learn, with spaced repetition built in.
Shared decks versus decks built from your own material
Learning how to download Anki decks is a quick fix when a shared deck already matches your course, but a deck written for someone else's textbook rarely lines up with your lectures, wording, or exam. Making your own from the pages you were assigned usually gets you to the right content faster.
- AnkiWeb shared decks: community decks are listed there and can be downloaded as .apkg files.
- Import in Anki desktop: choose File, then Import, then select the downloaded .apkg file.
- Built from your files: generate cards from your own PDF, slides, or notes instead of a generic deck.
- Export on Plus: send your DeckOwl deck to Anki, PDF, DOCX, or CSV.
Your own material
Upload PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, or photos of pages and get flashcards built from what your course actually covers.
Spaced repetition
Cards come back at spaced intervals so your review time goes to the cards you are most likely to forget.
Anki export on Plus
Plus exports your deck to Anki, along with PDF, DOCX, and CSV, so you can study in the app you already use.
How it works
Upload your material
Add a PDF, slide deck, Word file, notes, or a photo of a textbook page.
Generate flashcards
DeckOwl creates cards you can study in the browser right away. The free plan includes 3 generations per month.
Export to Anki
On Plus, export the deck as an Anki file, then import it in Anki desktop through File and Import.
DeckOwl takes that route: upload the PDF, slides, notes, or a photo of a page, and it generates flashcards from that material. On the free plan you can study in the browser, and on Plus you can export a PDF, DOCX, CSV, or Anki deck. Pro adds a stronger AI model and bulk upload for heavier course loads.
If you still want a shared deck, download it from the shared decks section of AnkiWeb and import the .apkg file through File and Import in Anki on your computer. Check a few cards against your own notes before you rely on the deck.
Explore related topics
How to download Anki decks on Android
Step-by-step import for .apkg decks in AnkiDroid, plus making your own flashcards from your notes.
Download Anki Decks on iPhone
Import Anki decks on iPhone, or generate custom flashcards from your own notes.
How to Download Anki Decks on Mac
Steps for getting Anki decks on a Mac, plus how to export your own flashcards to Anki.
Add Decks to Anki App: Step by Step
Set up Anki decks, import shared files, or make your own flashcards from notes.
Make Your Own Anki Deck
Turn your notes or slides into an Anki-ready deck, with a free plan to start.
Free Anki Decks From Your Own Notes
Turn your PDFs and notes into flashcards. Start free, no credit card needed.
Make Anki decks from your notes
Turn PDFs, slides and notes into flashcards you can study or export to Anki.
How to Make Anki Decks Fast
Turn PDFs, slides and notes into Anki-ready flashcards with AI, quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find Anki decks to download?
AnkiWeb has a shared decks section where users publish decks for free. Check the card count and the author's description before importing, since quality varies from deck to deck.
How do I import an .apkg file into Anki?
Open Anki on your computer, choose File, then Import, and select the downloaded .apkg file. Anki adds the cards to a new or existing deck.
How many flashcards should I make for one lecture?
Many students aim for roughly 15 to 30 cards per lecture, keeping each card to a single fact. Adjust the number based on how dense the material is.
Does DeckOwl export to Anki for free?
No. Anki export is part of Plus, which costs $39 per year or $7.99 per month. The free plan includes 3 generations per month and browser study, without exports.
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