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Turn your notes into a mind map you can edit and explore

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain notes, or a photo of a page. DeckOwl builds a mind map with branches you can edit and explore, so you can study the structure instead of a wall of text.

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

How a mind map app fits into your study routine

Teams and students who already sketch ideas on a whiteboard like Miro often want a mind map app that starts from their own material instead of a blank canvas. DeckOwl reads your PDFs, slides, notes, and page photos, then builds a map with branches you can edit and explore.

Start from your own PDFs, slides, notes, or page photos
Edit branches and sub-points after generation
Explore the map to test recall before an exam
Free plan includes 3 generations per month with no credit card needed

Example mind map branches for a Miro-style study map

Start with one central topicUse a 2–4 word title · Place it at the center · Leave space around it for branches

Group branches by themeGive each main branch one theme · Keep 4–7 main branches · Order them in a logical flow

Label sub-points in short phrasesUse nouns or verb phrases · Avoid full sentences · Keep each label under 6 words

Connect related ideas deliberatelyLink only ideas that truly relate · Label each connector · Limit cross-links to avoid clutter

Review the map from the center outAsk what each branch explains · Hide one branch and recall it · Add any missing sub-points

Generate the full set

Built from your own material

Start from the PDFs, slides, or notes you already have. The map reflects your course content, not generic filler.

Editable branches

Rename, move, and expand branches as your understanding changes. The map stays yours to shape.

Explore from any node

Open a branch to see its sub-points and follow the connections between ideas without losing the overview.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file, or a photo of a page. Photos are read with text recognition.

Generate the mind map

DeckOwl organizes the material into a central topic, main branches, and sub-points.

Edit and explore

Adjust branches, add missing ideas, and walk through the map to check what you remember.

The free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser. Plus, at $99.90/year or $9.99/month, adds unlimited generations and exports, so you can keep building maps as your course moves along.

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

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Turn lecture notes and PDFs into an editable mind map, free to start, with no credit card needed.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I start a mind map for a study topic?

Put the topic in the center, then add one branch per major subtopic and keep labels to a few words. Add sub-branches only where a detail needs its own grouping.

How many branches should a study mind map have?

Most readable maps use 4 to 7 main branches, each with 2 to 4 sub-points. Too many branches make the map hard to scan during review.

Is the free plan enough to try it?

The free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser. Exports are part of Plus, so you can upgrade when you need them.

Does DeckOwl export my study material?

Exports to PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV are included in Plus, which costs $99.90/year or $9.99/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.