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Turn your lecture notes into a concept map online

Upload a chapter, slides, or a photo of your notebook. DeckOwl builds an editable mind map you can expand, rearrange, and explore branch by branch.

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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 a visual map helps when you study

Students who need to make concept maps online often start with a stack of lecture notes and no clear sense of how the ideas connect. A map forces you to decide which terms are central and which are supporting details, and that decision is most of the learning.

Paste or upload your own material so the map reflects your course, not a generic template.
Review each branch by explaining it aloud before checking your explanation against the map.
Keep the top level short, with five to eight main branches, so the structure stays readable.
Revisit and edit the map after each lecture so it grows with the course.

Example acids and bases concept map branches

Arrhenius acidsRelease H+ ions in water · Example: HCl · Definition works only for aqueous solutions

Brønsted-Lowry basesAccept a proton · Example: NH3 · Forms a conjugate acid after accepting H+

pH scaleRuns from 0 to 14 · Below 7 is acidic · Above 7 is basic · Based on hydrogen ion concentration

Strong vs weak acidsStrong acids dissociate fully · Weak acids dissociate only partly · Ka measures acid strength

NeutralizationAcid plus base gives salt and water · Example: HCl + NaOH gives NaCl + H2O · Heat is typically released

Generate the full set

Starts from your material

Upload PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, or a photo of a page. Text recognition reads handwritten or printed notes.

Editable branches

Rename nodes, move ideas to new branches, and add your own links so the map matches how you think about the topic.

Explore at your own pace

Collapse and expand branches to focus on one idea at a time, then turn weak branches into flashcards or a quiz.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, a document, slides, or a photo of your pages. No credit card is needed to start.

Generate the map

DeckOwl pulls out the main ideas and arranges them into a branching mind map.

Edit and study it

Adjust the layout, fill gaps, and explore each branch in the browser until the structure makes sense.

A generated map is a starting point rather than a final answer. Check each branch against your textbook, fix any terms the tool placed poorly, and add the connections your instructor stressed in class.

Because the map is editable and explorable, you can return to it before an exam and test yourself by explaining each branch from memory before opening it again.

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Frequently asked questions

How many branches should a concept map for acids and bases have?

Most topic maps work well with five to eight main branches, such as acid definitions, base definitions, pH, strength, and neutralization. Add sub-points only where a term needs its own explanation.

How do I check my understanding after making a concept map?

Explain each branch aloud without looking at the map, then compare your explanation to what is written. Turn any branch you struggled to explain into flashcards or a short quiz.

Can I export my concept map?

Exports such as PDF and DOCX are paid features, while the free plan lets you build and explore maps in the browser. You can start on the free plan and upgrade later if you need downloads.

Is it free to try?

Yes, the free plan includes 3 generations per month, and no credit card is needed to start. Students with a school email get 40% off paid plans.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.