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Turn your lecture notes and PDFs into a concept map with AI

A YouTube video is hard to skim when you want the big picture. Build your own mind map from the notes and handouts you already have, then edit and explore it as you study.

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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

Turn video lessons into a map you can study

Watching a YouTube lecture gives you ideas in order, but the big picture gets lost fast. A concept map pulls those ideas onto one page: a central topic, main branches, and the links between them. DeckOwl builds one from the files you upload, so you can edit any node and open each section to explore it.

Start with a central question, such as what causes the seasons.
Keep main branches to five or fewer so the map stays readable.
Add one link per branch that explains how two ideas relate.
Redraw the map from memory, then compare it with your original.

Example climate and weather mind map branches

Greenhouse effectSunlight passes through the atmosphere · Surface warms and emits infrared · Greenhouse gases absorb and re-radiate heat

Weather vs. climateWeather is short-term conditions in one place · Climate is the long-term average, usually over 30 years · Climate describes patterns, not single storms

Air pressure systemsHigh pressure usually brings sinking, dry air · Low pressure brings rising air and clouds · Winds flow from high toward low pressure

Global circulation cellsWarm air rises near the equator · Trade winds and westerlies form global cells · Ocean currents redistribute heat around the globe

Weather frontsCold front: cold air pushes under warm air, often bringing storms · Warm front: warm air slides over cold air, bringing steady rain · Occluded front: a cold front overtakes a warm front

Generate the full set

Editable maps

Rename, reorganize, and add branches so the map matches how your course organizes the topic.

Explorable structure

Open any branch to see its sub-points, then move through the map section by section.

Built from your files

Upload PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, plain text notes, or photos of pages read with text recognition.

How it works

Gather your material

Save the video's notes or transcript as a text file, or use the lecture slides and handouts you already have.

Upload and generate

Add the file and DeckOwl builds a mind map with a central topic and main branches.

Edit and explore

Fix labels, add missing links, and open each branch to test what you remember.

DeckOwl does not pull content from YouTube itself, so start with text you can upload: lecture slides, class notes, a handout, or a photo of a whiteboard read with text recognition. The mind map is generated from that material, which keeps it tied to what your course actually covers.

Once the map exists, use it as a study tool rather than a poster. Cover the labels and explain each branch out loud, then check yourself against the original notes.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I make a concept map from a YouTube video?

Save the video's notes or transcript as a PDF, DOCX, or plain text file and upload it. DeckOwl then generates an editable mind map from that file.

How is a concept map different from a mind map?

A concept map labels the links between ideas, while a mind map radiates outward from one central topic. DeckOwl creates mind maps, so the layout branches from the main idea into subtopics.

How should I study from a concept map?

Cover the labels and explain each link out loud, then check yourself against the map. Redrawing the map from memory shows which connections you still miss.

Can I export my mind map for free?

The free plan lets you study in the browser with 3 generations per month, but exports are paid. Plus includes PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV export.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.