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Turn your lecture notes into a concept map you can edit

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file, or photo of a page. DeckOwl builds an editable mind map of the main ideas and their supporting details, ready to explore.

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

Why map your ideas before you memorize them

A concept map shows how the ideas in a unit connect, so you can see what depends on what before you start memorizing details.

Upload notes, slides, or a photographed page and get a starting map in one pass.
Edit node text and layout so the map matches how your instructor organized the unit.
Expand or collapse branches to quiz yourself on one section at a time.
Export to PDF, DOCX, Anki, or CSV on Plus, or study in the browser on Free.

Example photosynthesis concept map branches

Light-dependent reactionsOccur in thylakoid membranes · Split water and release oxygen · Produce ATP and NADPH

Calvin cycleOccurs in the stroma · Fixes carbon dioxide into sugar · Uses ATP and NADPH from the light reactions

Chloroplast structureThylakoids stacked as grana · Stroma surrounds the thylakoids · Chlorophyll sits in thylakoid membranes

Inputs and outputsCarbon dioxide, water, and light go in · Glucose and oxygen come out

Factors that limit the rateLight intensity · Carbon dioxide concentration · Temperature

Generate the full set

Works from your own material

Upload PDFs, Word files, slides, plain notes, or photos of pages. Text in images is read with text recognition.

Editable and explorable

Rename branches, rearrange ideas, and expand or collapse sections to focus on what you still need to learn.

Study from the map

Turn the same material into flashcards with spaced repetition or into quizzes with explanations.

How it works

Add your material

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, notes, or a photo of a page.

Generate the map

DeckOwl drafts a mind map of the main concepts and their supporting points.

Edit and explore

Adjust the layout and wording, then open any branch to review it.

DeckOwl builds a mind map from your own material, so the branches reflect your course's terms and examples. You can edit any node, reorder branches, and collapse sections you already know.

Free accounts get 3 generations per month and can study in the browser. Plus adds unlimited generations and exports to PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I make a concept map for a biology unit?

List the main ideas from your notes, put the central topic in the middle, and connect related ideas with short labels. Check that you can explain each branch in your own words before moving on.

How many branches should a concept map have?

Most useful maps have about 4 to 7 main branches, each with 2 to 4 supporting points. If a branch gets crowded, split it into a subtopic.

Can I edit the map after DeckOwl creates it?

Yes. You can rename nodes, move branches, and collapse sections. Exporting to PDF or DOCX is a Plus feature.

Is it free to start?

Yes, and no credit card is needed. The Free plan includes 3 generations per month and browser study, while Plus is $39/year or $7.99/month with unlimited generations and exports. Students get 40% off with a school email.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.