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A mind map app that turns your PDFs and notes into an editable map

Upload a lecture PDF, class notes, or a photo of a textbook page. DeckOwl reads the text and builds a map you can rearrange, expand, and quiz yourself on.

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 helps when lecture notes pile up

Students who spend an evening rereading a 40-slide lecture often finish with a long list of facts and no sense of how they connect. A mind map app solves that by placing the main ideas at the center and grouping related details under each branch, so you can see the structure of a topic at a glance.

Spot relationships between concepts that a linear summary hides.
Check the map against your syllabus and fix any branch that is off.
Re-draw the map from memory to find gaps before an exam.
Pair each main branch with a flashcard set for the details.

Example cell division mind map branches (mitosis and meiosis)

InterphaseG1 cell growth · S phase DNA replication · G2 preparation for division

Purpose of mitosisGrowth · tissue repair · asexual reproduction in many organisms

Purpose of meiosisProduces gametes · halves chromosome number · creates genetic variation through crossing over

Stages of mitosisProphase · metaphase · anaphase · telophase, followed by cytokinesis

Key differenceMitosis: two diploid daughter cells · Meiosis: four haploid daughter cells

Generate the full set

Editable branches

Rename, move, or delete any node so the map matches how your course organizes the material.

Explore at your pace

Expand one branch at a time to focus on a single topic without losing the big picture.

Study from the map

Turn the same source material into flashcards with spaced repetition or a quiz with explanations.

How it works

Upload your material

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text notes, or a photo of a page.

Review the generated map

Check the main branches and sub-points, then edit anything that needs fixing.

Explore and study

Open branches to review each idea, then practice with flashcards or a quiz built from the same notes.

Start by uploading the source you already use, whether that is a PDF from your instructor or a photo of a textbook page. Review the branches, rename anything unclear, and expand the sections you find hardest. Once the map matches your course, you can turn the same material into flashcards or a quiz.

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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 tell mitosis and meiosis apart on a mind map?

Put the shared stages, prophase through telophase, on one branch and hang the outcomes on separate sub-branches. Mitosis produces two identical diploid cells, while meiosis produces four genetically varied haploid cells.

How often should I review a mind map before an exam?

Review it the same day you make it, then again a few days later. Redrawing the map from memory is the fastest way to find the branches you still do not understand.

Can I export my mind map?

Exporting is a paid feature. Plus, at $39 per year or $7.99 per month, adds PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV export, while the free plan lets you explore and study in the browser.

Do I need a credit card to start?

No. The free plan includes 3 generations per month with no credit card required. 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.