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Get concept map ideas from any PDF or set of notes

Upload a lecture PDF, a chapter, or photos of your notes and get a mind map with the main ideas already branched out. Edit it, explore it, and rearrange it until it matches how you understand the topic.

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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

Where concept map ideas come from

Stuck on a blank page? Most students find their concept map ideas by rereading notes and pulling out key terms, which takes longer than the mapping itself. DeckOwl reads your material and suggests a starting structure so you can spend your time on the links between ideas instead of the layout.

Start from a central question or topic taken from your own lecture notes.
Keep main branches to the five to seven ideas your instructor emphasized.
Label each link with a short phrase that explains how two ideas relate.
Revise the map after each study session by adding what you still find confusing.

Example mind map branches for the Pythagorean theorem

Right triangleHypotenuse is the longest side · Opposite the right angle · Legs are the two shorter sides

Pythagorean formulaa² + b² = c² · c is the hypotenuse · Solve for a leg with a = √(c² − b²)

Geometric proofsRearranging four identical triangles into a square · Comparing areas of squares built on each side · Similar triangles in algebraic proofs

Common applicationsChecking whether a corner is a right angle · Finding diagonal distance · Distance between two points on a coordinate plane

Common mistakesUsing the hypotenuse as a leg · Adding before squaring · Taking the square root of only one term

Generate the full set

Starts from your material

Upload PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, or photos of pages. The mind map is built from what you already have, not generic filler.

Editable branches

Rename, move, or delete nodes so the map reflects your course, not the AI's first guess.

Explorable structure

Expand and collapse branches to see the big picture first, then drill into the details behind each idea.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, Word file, slide deck, text file, or a photo of a page.

Review the mind map

Check the central topic and main branches, then edit anything that looks off.

Study the connections

Explore the branches, test yourself on the links between ideas, and export when you are on a paid plan.

A good map is only useful if it fits your course. Because the mind map is editable, you can add the terms your instructor stressed, merge duplicate branches, and reorganize sections as your understanding changes. Exporting to PDF, DOCX, Anki, or CSV is available on the Plus plan.

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Frequently asked questions

How many branches should a concept map have?

Most useful maps have about four to seven main branches, each with a few sub-points. Fewer branches usually means the topic is too broad, and many more usually means the map needs to be split into smaller maps.

How do I start a concept map for the Pythagorean theorem?

Put the theorem in the center, then add branches for right triangles, the formula a² + b² = c², and common uses such as finding a missing side. Add a branch for mistakes to avoid, like confusing the hypotenuse with a leg.

Is the mind map generator free to use?

The Free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser. Exports to PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV require the Plus plan, which costs $99.90/year or $9.99/month.

Can I edit the mind map after it is generated?

Yes. You can rename, move, add, or remove nodes so the map matches your own notes and course material.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.