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Turn any PDF file into flashcards with AI

Upload a PDF, slide deck, set of notes or a photo of a page. DeckOwl reads the text and drafts flashcards you can review with spaced repetition.

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 account · 5 sets a week · Creates flashcards in seconds

Why students convert a PDF file to flashcards

Going from a PDF file to flashcards usually means copying headings and definitions by hand, which takes longer than the studying itself. DeckOwl reads the text in your file and proposes question and answer pairs you can edit before the first session.

Start from a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file or photographed page
Edit or delete AI-drafted cards before you begin studying
Review on a spaced repetition schedule instead of rereading
Export to Anki, PDF, DOCX or CSV on the Plus plan

Example intro biology flashcards from a textbook PDF

What is the main function of mitochondria?They produce most of the cell's ATP through cellular respiration.

What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?Mitosis produces two identical diploid cells, while meiosis produces four genetically distinct haploid gametes.

What does the term osmosis describe?The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to one of higher solute concentration.

What are the four nitrogenous bases in DNA?Adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine.

What is the role of ribosomes?They translate messenger RNA into a chain of amino acids to build proteins.

Generate the full set

Reads your PDF text

Text-based PDFs are read directly, and photos or scans of pages are read with text recognition.

Spaced repetition built in

Cards you miss come back sooner, and cards you know are spaced further apart so study time goes to what you need.

Cards you can check

Edit, delete or add cards before you study so the deck matches what your course actually covers.

How it works

Upload your file

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file or image of your notes. No credit card is needed to start.

Review the draft cards

Scan the generated question and answer pairs and remove anything that is off topic or repeated.

Study with spacing

Work through the deck in the browser and rate each card so the schedule adjusts to what you remember.

Flashcards work best when they are built from your own course material, not a generic list. Upload the chapter your instructor assigned or the slides from last week, and the deck will reflect the terms and examples your exam is likely to use.

Spaced repetition then decides what to show you and when. Free accounts can study in the browser with 5 generations a week, and the Plus plan adds unlimited generations and export to PDF, DOCX, Anki and CSV.

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Frequently asked questions

How many flashcards should I make from one chapter?

Aim for one card per distinct fact, definition or process rather than a fixed number, so a dense biology chapter may yield a few dozen cards. Delete duplicates and cards that test trivia before you start studying.

What is the best way to study flashcards made from a PDF?

Study in short sessions and rate each card honestly, since spaced repetition brings missed cards back sooner. Try to recall the answer before you flip the card.

Can I export the flashcards to Anki?

Export to Anki, PDF, DOCX and CSV is part of the paid Plus plan. The free plan lets you study in the browser with 5 generations a week.

Can I use a photo of a page instead of a PDF?

Yes, images and photos of pages are read with text recognition, so a scanned page can be used as input. Check the draft cards for any words the recognition missed.

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Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.