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Make a mind map from any PDF or set of notes in one upload

Upload a lecture PDF, a DOCX file, a slide deck, or plain notes. DeckOwl returns an editable mind map you can reshape and explore branch by branch.

Create mind maps nowFree · No credit card required

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 mind map from your own notes works better

Starting a blank page is the hardest part of studying a dense chapter. The easiest way to make a mind map is to let the source material do the sorting: upload the chapter or lecture notes and get a first draft with the central idea and its branches already placed.

Works with PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, and photos of pages read with text recognition
Every branch stays editable, so you can rename, move, or remove ideas
Explore the map in the browser, one section at a time
Turn any branch into flashcards or quiz questions when you are ready to practice

Example mind map branches for a cell biology unit

Cell membranePhospholipid bilayer · Selective permeability · Passive and active transport

OrganellesNucleus stores DNA · Mitochondria release energy · Ribosomes build proteins

Cellular respirationGlycolysis in the cytoplasm · Krebs cycle in the matrix · Electron transport chain on the inner membrane

Cell divisionMitosis makes identical cells · Meiosis makes gametes · Checkpoints prevent errors

PhotosynthesisLight reactions make ATP and NADPH · Calvin cycle fixes carbon · Occurs in chloroplasts

Generate the full set

Starts from your material

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file, or a photo of a page. The text is read and organized into main branches and sub-points.

Fully editable

Rename branches, move ideas between them, or delete what you do not need. The map is yours to shape before you study from it.

Explore at your own pace

Expand and collapse sections to focus on one topic at a time, then turn key branches into flashcards or a quiz.

How it works

Upload your notes

Drop in a PDF, slides, a Word file, or paste your notes. No credit card is needed to start.

Let AI draft the map

DeckOwl identifies the central idea, the main branches, and the supporting details under each one.

Edit and study

Adjust the layout, then explore the map in your browser. Free accounts study in the browser; Plus adds PDF and DOCX export.

A generated map is a starting point, not a finished product. Moving a branch, merging two overlapping sections, or adding a missing example forces you to decide how the ideas connect, and that decision is where most of the learning happens.

Once the map looks right, use it to check recall. Cover a branch, name its sub-points from memory, then reveal the map to see what you missed.

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Websites to Make Mind Maps

Make an editable mind map from your PDF or notes with AI, and study it in the browser.

Anki-Ready Concept Maps from Your Notes

Turn PDFs and notes into an editable AI mind map. Anki export is on Plus.

Anki Mind Map Add-On Alternative

Turn your PDFs and notes into an editable mind map, with Anki export on Plus.

Free mind map app for notes

Turn PDFs and notes into an editable mind map, free to start with 3 generations a month.

Frequently asked questions

How many branches should a mind map for one lecture have?

Most lecture topics work well with four to seven main branches, each holding two to four sub-points. If a branch grows much larger than that, split it into two narrower branches so each one stays easy to review.

How should I order branches when studying from a mind map?

Start with the branch that explains the central idea, then move to the branches that depend on it, such as causes before effects or structures before functions. Reviewing in that order makes the connections easier to remember.

Is there a free plan?

Yes. The Free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser, and you can start without a credit card. Exports are part of the paid Plus plan.

Can I export my mind map?

Plus includes PDF and DOCX export along with unlimited generations, and it costs $39 per year or $7.99 per month. Students get 40% off with a school email.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.