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Turn your own notes into an editable concept map for Word

Skip the blank grid. Upload your notes or a PDF and get a mind map built from your own material, then study it in the browser on the free plan.

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Free · First set needs no signup · Creates mind maps in seconds

Why a custom map beats a generic download

Downloadable concept map templates give you empty boxes, but the hard part is deciding what goes in them. A free concept map template works best when the branches come from your own lecture notes or textbook chapter, so the map matches what your exam will test.

  • Start from your own PDF, slides, or notes instead of a blank template
  • Branches and sub-points are editable, so you can correct the structure
  • Explore the map by branch to study one concept at a time
  • Export to DOCX on Plus when you need a Word file
Example cell biology concept map branches
Cell membranePhospholipid bilayer · Selectively permeable · Controls what enters and leaves the cell
MitochondriaSite of cellular respiration · Produces most of the cell's ATP · Contains its own DNA
NucleusStores DNA · Enclosed by a nuclear envelope · Controls gene expression
RibosomesSites of protein synthesis · Found free in cytoplasm or attached to rough ER · Made of rRNA and protein
Endoplasmic reticulumRough ER has attached ribosomes · Smooth ER makes lipids · Transports materials within the cell
Generate the full set

Built from your material

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text notes, or a photo of a page. The mind map follows the structure of your source, not a generic layout.

Editable and explorable

Branches stay editable so you can rename, move, or add ideas. You can also click through the map to explore one branch at a time.

Word export on Plus

Plus exports your map as a DOCX file, so you can edit it in Word. The free plan includes 3 generations per month and browser study without exports.

How it works

Add your notes

Upload a PDF, slide deck, Word file, or paste your notes. Photos of printed pages are read with text recognition.

Generate the map

DeckOwl pulls out the main concepts and arranges them as branches with supporting points underneath.

Edit, study, or export

Adjust any branch you want, study it in the browser, or export to DOCX with a Plus plan.

DeckOwl reads your source and proposes the main ideas, then breaks each one into sub-points you can check against your notes. Edit anything that is off, and the map stays yours to reshape as you learn more.

Explore related topics

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a concept map from my notes?

Begin with one central idea, then list the main concepts that support it as first-level branches. Under each branch, add the facts, examples, or causes that explain it, and keep wording short so you can recall it quickly.

What should a good concept map include?

A strong concept map has a clear central topic, labeled branches that name key ideas, and specific sub-points that show how the ideas connect. Cross-links between branches help show relationships that a simple list hides.

Can I download my mind map as a Word file for free?

Not on the free plan, which lets you study in the browser but does not include exports. DOCX export is part of Plus, which costs $39/year or $7.99/month.

Is there a free trial before I pay?

You can start on the free plan with no credit card, which includes 3 generations per month. Students can get 40% off Plus with a school email.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.