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Turn any PDF into an editable concept map

Upload lecture slides, a textbook chapter, or typed notes. DeckOwl maps the main ideas and subtopics so you can rearrange, expand, and explore them.

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

How a PDF becomes a study map

Your lecture PDF already contains the main ideas, but they are buried in paragraphs. A concept map generator from PDF finds the key terms and groups them under the topics they belong to, so the structure of the chapter is visible at a glance.

  • Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, or a photo of a page.
  • Get an editable map with branches you can rename, move, or delete.
  • Expand and collapse sections to study one part of a chapter at a time.
  • Free plan: 3 generations per month, studied in the browser with no exports.
Example respiratory system concept map branches
Gas exchangeOccurs in the alveoli · O2 diffuses into pulmonary capillaries · CO2 diffuses out of the blood into the alveoli for exhalation
Upper airwayNose and nasal cavity · pharynx · larynx · warms, filters, and humidifies incoming air
Conducting zoneTrachea · bronchi · bronchioles · carries air to the respiratory zone without gas exchange
Mechanics of breathingDiaphragm contracts and flattens · thoracic volume increases · air flows in as pressure drops
Control of breathingMedulla oblongata and pons set the rhythm · chemoreceptors detect CO2 and pH · breathing rate rises when CO2 is high
Generate the full set

Works from your own files

Upload PDF, DOCX, or PPTX files, plain notes, or photos of pages. Photos are read with text recognition.

Editable branches

Rename, move, or add nodes after generation. The map follows your course material, not a generic template.

Explore at your pace

Expand or collapse branches to focus on one topic at a time, then turn the same material into flashcards or a quiz.

How it works

Upload your material

Add a PDF, a DOCX or PPTX file, or paste your notes.

Generate the map

DeckOwl pulls out the central topic, the main branches, and the supporting details.

Edit and explore

Adjust the layout, add your own nodes, and expand each branch as you study.

DeckOwl builds mind maps, which are close relatives of the concept map: one central topic with branches that split into subtopics. Because the map is editable, you can correct a branch the model placed wrong or add a link you noticed while reading.

Maps work best when you use them to test yourself. Cover the branch labels, rebuild the structure from memory, then compare with the original. Gaps in the map show you exactly what to review next.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I make a concept map from a textbook chapter?

Start with the chapter's headings and key terms, then group related terms under the broader concept they support. Check that each branch connects to the central topic, and mark any link you cannot explain yet.

What should go on the main branches of a concept map?

Main branches should be the major subtopics of the chapter, such as mechanisms, structures, or processes. Put definitions, examples, and details on the smaller branches beneath them.

Can I export my map?

The free plan lets you study in the browser without exports. Paid plans include export options, and Plus adds PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV export.

Does it work with photos of pages?

Yes. Photos of pages are read with text recognition, so you can map handwritten or printed notes that you photographed instead of retyping.

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