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Turn your notes into a mind map you can edit on iPad

DeckOwl reads your PDFs, slides, or notes and builds an editable mind map you can explore branch by branch, right in your browser.

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 check before you pick a mind map app

Most students who want a mind map on an iPad end up drawing every branch by hand, which eats time you could spend studying. The better choice is software that starts from your own course material, so the first draft already reflects what your instructor covered. When you compare mind map software for iPad, ask whether it builds the map from your notes or only gives you a blank canvas.

Generates a map from PDFs, slides, Word files, text, or photos of pages
Lets you edit branches and sub-points after the map is created
Pairs the map with flashcards and quizzes built from the same notes
Free plan to try it first, with exports available on Plus

Example cell biology mind map branches

OrganellesMitochondria · Ribosomes · Endoplasmic reticulum · Golgi apparatus

Cell membranePhospholipid bilayer · Embedded proteins · Selective permeability · Cholesterol stabilizes fluidity

Cell cycleInterphase · Mitosis · Cytokinesis · Checkpoints

Transport across membranesPassive diffusion · Facilitated diffusion · Active transport · Osmosis

DNA replicationHelicase unwinds the strands · DNA polymerase adds bases · Leading and lagging strands · Ligase seals gaps

Generate the full set

Starts from your material

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file, or a photo of a page and get a map built from what you actually need to learn.

Editable and explorable

Rename branches, add sub-points, and collapse sections so the map stays useful as your course content grows.

Study tools on the same material

Turn the same notes into flashcards with spaced repetition or quizzes with explanations when the map is not enough.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, slide deck, Word file, or a photo of handwritten pages. No credit card is needed to start.

Generate the mind map

DeckOwl pulls out the main topics and their sub-points and arranges them as a map.

Edit and explore

Adjust branches to match your lecture, then study the map in the browser on your iPad.

Check how much you can do before paying. The free plan gives you 3 generations per month and lets you study in the browser, but exports are not included. Plus, at $39/year or $7.99/month, adds unlimited generations and PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV export. Students get 40% off with a school email.

Explore related topics

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Frequently asked questions

How do I turn lecture notes into a mind map?

Start with a single main topic, then list its major subtopics as first-level branches. Add the key terms, definitions, or processes under each subtopic, and keep labels short enough to read at a glance.

How many main branches should a study mind map have?

Most lecture topics work well with 4 to 7 main branches. If you have more, split the map into two linked maps so each one stays readable on an iPad screen.

Can I export my mind map from DeckOwl?

Export options such as PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV are part of the Plus plan at $39/year or $7.99/month. The free plan lets you study in the browser without exports.

Do I need a credit card to try DeckOwl?

No. You can start on the free plan with 3 generations per month without adding a credit card.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.