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A mind map note taking app that turns your PDFs into maps

Upload a lecture PDF, DOCX, PPTX, or photos of pages and get a mind map you can rearrange, expand, 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 account · 3 sets a month · Creates mind maps in seconds

How mind maps support better note taking

Students who take notes as a linear list often end up with pages of text that are hard to scan later. A mind map note taking app arranges the same ideas around a central topic so relationships are visible at a glance.

Start with a central topic and branch out by subtopic
Generate maps from PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, or photos of printed pages
Expand or collapse branches as you review
Plus adds PDF and DOCX export for your study materials

Example note taking methods as mind map branches

Cornell note-taking methodCue column · Notes column · Summary section

Outline methodMain topics as headings · Subtopics indented beneath · Details as bullets

Charting methodColumns for topic, date, and key facts · Rows for each lecture or chapter · Useful for comparing items

Mapping methodCentral topic in the middle · Main branches for major ideas · Short keywords on each branch

Review loop after classReview soon after the lecture · Recall the map without looking · Fix gaps and repeat

Generate the full set

Upload what you already have

Start from PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, or photos of pages. Photos are read with text recognition.

Editable, explorable maps

Rearrange branches and expand sections as your understanding grows.

Study from the same source

Turn the same material into flashcards or quizzes when you want to test yourself.

How it works

Add your notes

Paste text or upload a file. No credit card is needed to start.

Generate the map

The AI pulls main topics and subtopics from your material into a branching map.

Explore and refine

Edit nodes, reorder branches, and keep the map for review.

Mind maps work best when you can change them. Move a branch, add a sub-point after a lecture, or collapse sections you already know. DeckOwl builds the first draft from your own PDFs or notes, so you start from your material instead of a blank page.

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Free mind map app for notes and PDFs

Turn PDFs and notes into an editable mind map. Start free, 3 generations a month.

Free mind mapping app for students

Turn lecture notes and PDFs into an editable mind map, free to start, with no credit card needed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I take notes as a mind map?

Start with the main topic in the center, then add one branch per major idea. Under each branch, add supporting facts, examples, or definitions in short phrases.

Is a mind map better than linear notes for studying?

Mind maps show how ideas connect, which suits subjects with many related concepts. Linear notes can work better for step-by-step procedures, so many students use both.

Does DeckOwl have a free plan?

Yes. The free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser, but exports require a paid plan.

How much does DeckOwl Plus cost?

Plus is $99.90 per year or $9.99 per month and includes unlimited generations plus PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV export. Students with a school email get 40% off.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.