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Turn your PDF or notes into a free mind map

Upload a document or paste your notes, and get a branching mind map you can rearrange, expand, and study from in your browser.

Create mind maps nowFree · No credit card required

Free account · 3 sets a month · Creates mind maps in seconds

Why a free mind map making app helps with studying

Many students and teachers want a free mind map making app that works with the material they already have, not a blank canvas they have to fill in by hand. Starting from your own reading keeps the map tied to what your course actually covers.

  • Works with PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, and photos of pages
  • Creates a central topic with branches you can open and close
  • Lets you edit labels and structure after generation
  • Free plan includes 3 generations per month with no credit card needed
Example mind map branches: the Roman Empire
Augustus and the PrincipateFounded 27 BCE · Power through Senate offices · Loyalty of the army · Public building program
Crisis of the Third CenturyRapid turnover of emperors · Debasement of the coinage · Military revolts · Pressure on frontiers
Diocletian's TetrarchyFour rulers sharing power · Two senior Augusti and two junior Caesars · Provinces reorganized into dioceses · Attempt to secure orderly succession
Causes of the Western collapseMigrations and invasions · Economic strain and heavy taxation · Political instability and civil war · Division between East and West
Roads and provincial administrationExtensive road network · Governors appointed from Rome · Tax collection by local elites · Latin as the administrative language in the West
Generate the full set

Editable maps

Rename nodes, move branches, and add your own points after the AI builds the first draft.

Explorable branches

Open each main topic to see its sub-points, so you can focus on one section at a time.

Built from your material

Start from PDFs, DOCX or PPTX files, plain notes, or photos of pages read with text recognition.

How it works

Upload your material

Add a PDF, a document, a slide deck, or paste your notes into the box.

Generate the map

DeckOwl organizes the content into a central topic with main branches and sub-points.

Edit and explore

Adjust the layout, expand the branches you need, and keep studying from the same map.

A good map shows how ideas connect, such as causes and effects, people and events, or a topic and its subtopics. Because the output is editable, you can correct anything the AI got wrong and reshape the structure as you learn more.

The free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser. Exports to other formats are part of the paid plans.

Explore related topics

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a mind map of the Roman Empire from my notes?

Upload your notes or a PDF on the Roman Empire, and the generator builds a map of the main themes. You can then edit nodes and expand branches such as the Principate or the Tetrarchy.

How many branches should a mind map of the Roman Empire have?

Five to seven main branches usually works well, such as political history, emperors, military, economy, religion, and decline. Keep two to four sub-points under each so the map stays readable.

Is the free plan enough to make mind maps?

The free plan gives you 3 generations per month and lets you study in the browser. If you need more generations, the Plus plan includes unlimited generations.

Can I export a mind map as a PDF?

Yes, but PDF export is a paid feature. Plus costs $99.90/year or $9.99/month and includes PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV export.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.