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A mind map app that turns your notes into a map you can explore

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text notes, or a photo of a page. DeckOwl builds an editable mind map you can expand, rearrange, and study from.

Create mind maps nowFree · No credit card required

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

Free · First set needs no signup · Creates mind maps in seconds

What to look for in a mind map app for coursework

Lecture slides and reading notes pile up fast, and a mind map app for students can turn that pile into something you can actually review. A useful map shows how ideas connect, not just a list of terms.

Accepts PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, notes, and photos of pages
Editable branches you can reorganize as you learn
Explorable maps that let you drill into sub-points
Same source material can also produce flashcards and quizzes

Example biology mind map: cell structure

Cell membranePhospholipid bilayer · Selectively permeable · Embedded proteins

MitochondriaSite of cellular respiration · Double membrane · Produces ATP · Own circular DNA

NucleusHolds chromosomal DNA · Nuclear envelope with pores · Nucleolus makes ribosomal RNA

Endoplasmic reticulumRough ER has ribosomes · Smooth ER makes lipids · Involved in detoxification

Golgi apparatusModifies and sorts proteins · Packages vesicles for export

Generate the full set

Built from your material

Works with PDFs, Word and PowerPoint files, plain notes, and photos of pages read with text recognition.

Editable and explorable

Expand branches, reorganize ideas, and drill into sub-points as your understanding grows.

Study tools from the same source

Turn the same material into flashcards and quizzes with explanations when you are ready to practice.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file, or a photo of your page.

Generate the mind map

Get a branched map of the main ideas and how they connect.

Explore and edit

Rearrange branches, add detail, and adjust the map to fit how your course is organized.

Look for an app that reads your real material, lets you reorganize branches as your understanding changes, and keeps the map editable instead of a static picture. Maps built this way are easier to revisit before an exam.

DeckOwl's mind map generator works from PDFs, Word and PowerPoint files, plain notes, and photos of pages. The free plan includes 3 generations a month with studying in the browser, and Plus adds unlimited generations plus exports.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I decide which ideas belong on a study mind map?

Keep main concepts as top-level branches and move supporting details, examples, and definitions underneath them. If a node cannot be explained in a sentence or two, split it into smaller branches.

How many branches should a mind map have for one lecture?

Most single lectures work well with 4 to 7 main branches, each with 2 to 4 sub-points. Add more only if the lecture covers clearly separate topics.

Is DeckOwl free to use?

The free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser, with no credit card needed to start. Plus is $39 a year or $7.99 a month and adds unlimited generations and exports.

Do students get a discount?

Yes, students get 40% off with a school email address.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.