Make Anki flashcards from any PDF you upload
Upload a chapter, slides, notes, or a photo of a page. DeckOwl builds question and answer flashcards with spaced repetition, and Plus lets you export them to Anki.
Turning a PDF into Anki cards without retyping it
Making Anki flashcards from a PDF usually means rereading a chapter and copying headings and definitions by hand, which eats the time you meant to spend studying. A generator can do the first pass, reading the text and turning key terms and facts into question and answer cards.
- Use single chapters rather than whole textbooks so each deck stays focused.
- Check that every card has one fact on the back, not a paragraph.
- Rewrite any vague card until you can answer it from memory.
- Import the exported deck into Anki and let its scheduler handle review days.
Upload your own PDF
Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text notes, or a photo of a page, and the AI reads the text and builds cards from it.
Spaced repetition built in
Cards are scheduled at growing intervals, so weak material comes back more often and well-known material less often.
Export to Anki on Plus
Plus includes Anki export along with PDF, DOCX, and CSV, so the deck you generate can go straight into Anki.
How it works
Upload your PDF
Add the chapter, lecture slides, or notes file you want to study.
Review the generated cards
Check each flashcard against the source, then edit or delete any that are unclear or off target.
Export to Anki
On Plus, export the deck and import it into Anki on your computer or phone.
Review the output before you rely on it. Keep cards that test one idea each, fix any answer that drifts from the source, and delete anything that is trivia rather than material you need to know. Then export to Anki on the Plus plan, or keep studying in the browser with spaced repetition.
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Frequently asked questions
How many flashcards should I make from one PDF chapter?
Aim for one card per distinct fact or term rather than a fixed count. Skip sentences that only illustrate a point, since they make weak cards.
What makes a good flashcard for history?
Ask for one event, person, or cause per card, such as what the Marshall Plan was and when it began. Avoid cards that ask for a long list, because the answer is hard to check.
Can I export my flashcards to Anki?
Yes, on the Plus plan at $99.90/year or $9.99/month, which also includes PDF, DOCX, and CSV export. Students get 40% off with a school email.
Is there a free plan?
Yes, the Free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser. No credit card is needed to start, but exports require Plus.
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