Create a mind map online from your own notes or PDF
Upload a PDF, Word file, slide deck, plain notes or a photo of a page, and get an editable mind map you can explore branch by branch. No credit card needed to start.
How to create a mind map online from lecture material
Most students reach for a mind map when a chapter has too many linked ideas to hold in a plain list. When you need to create a mind map online, the faster route is to start from the document you already have, not a blank canvas.
- Start from a PDF, Word file, slide deck, text notes or a photo of a printed page.
- Edit branch names and structure so the map reflects your course, not a generic outline.
- Explore sub-points by expanding and collapsing branches as you review.
- Turn the same material into flashcards or quizzes once the map shows what matters.
Works from your material
Start with a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text notes or a photo of a page. Text in images is read with text recognition, so handwritten-free printed pages work too.
Editable branches
Rename, reorder or remove branches after generation so the map matches how you think about the topic.
Explore before you study
Open each branch to see its sub-points, then turn the same material into flashcards or a quiz when you are ready.
How it works
Add your notes
Upload a file or paste text. Your free plan includes 3 generations each month.
Generate the map
DeckOwl sorts the main ideas into branches and sub-points drawn from your material.
Edit and explore
Adjust the branches, collapse or expand sections, and keep the map for review.
Paste lecture notes or upload the assigned reading, and the tool proposes a central topic with branches for the main concepts. Each branch can hold sub-points, so causes, examples and definitions stay attached to the idea they support.
Once the map is on screen, redraw it in your own words. Rewriting branches is a quick way to test whether you understand the relationships, and the same content can then feed flashcards or quiz questions.
Explore related topics
Free mind map tool, no registration
Upload notes or a PDF and get an editable mind map to explore in your browser.
Free Mind Map Generator
Turn PDFs and class notes into an editable mind map. Free plan, no credit card needed.
AI Mind Map from PDF
Upload a PDF or notes and get an editable, explorable mind map with AI.
Free AI Mind Map Tool
Turn PDFs or notes into an editable AI mind map, free to start.
Concept Maps in Word vs. AI Mind Maps
Build a concept map in Word by hand, or turn your notes into an editable AI mind map.
Free Concept Map Maker from Your Notes
Turn your PDF or notes into an editable concept map in your browser, free to start.
Free AI Mind Map Maker Online
Turn your PDF or notes into an editable, explorable mind map online for free with AI.
Free Mind Maps from Your Notes
Create mind maps for free from your notes, with 3 generations a month on the free plan.
Frequently asked questions
How do I organize a mind map for a long chapter?
Start with one central idea, then add no more than five or six main branches. Break each branch into sub-points only when the chapter has real detail beneath it.
How many branches should a study mind map have?
Most chapters work well with four to seven main branches. If a branch grows past about five sub-points, consider splitting it into two branches.
Is there a free plan?
Yes. The free plan includes 3 generations per month and lets you study in the browser. No credit card is needed to start.
Can I export my mind map?
Export is a paid feature. The Plus plan at $39 per year or $7.99 per month includes PDF and DOCX export, while the free plan is limited to studying in the browser.
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