Home › Mind maps › Mind Map Guides › Concept Map and Mind Map Generator

Turn your PDF or notes into an editable mind map with AI

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file, or photo of a page. DeckOwl builds a mind map from your material that you can edit 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 account · 3 sets a month · Creates mind maps in seconds

Concept maps and mind maps from your own notes

A concept map and mind map are useful for different reasons. A mind map radiates outward from one central topic, which suits brainstorming and seeing how subtopics group together. A concept map connects ideas with labeled relationships, which suits understanding how one idea causes or depends on another. DeckOwl generates mind maps from the material you upload, so you can capture the big picture of a chapter or lecture quickly.

Generates a mind map from PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, plain notes, or photos of pages
Lets you edit and rearrange every node after generation
Lets you explore branches to study one idea at a time
Turns the same material into flashcards with spaced repetition and quizzes

Example mind map branches for chemical bonding

Ionic bondingElectron transfer from metal to nonmetal · Forms charged ions · Electrostatic attraction in a crystal lattice · High melting points

Covalent bondingShared electron pairs · Usually between nonmetals · Forms discrete molecules · Generally lower melting points than ionic solids

Metallic bondingDelocalized electron sea · Positive metal ions in a lattice · Explains electrical conductivity · Malleable and ductile

ElectronegativityAn atom's pull on shared electrons · Measured on the Pauling scale · A larger difference means more ionic character · Predicts bond type

Intermolecular forcesWeaker than ionic or covalent bonds · Hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole, and London dispersion · Affect boiling points · Hold molecules together in liquids and solids

Generate the full set

Built from your material

Upload PDFs, DOCX or PPTX files, plain notes, or photos of pages. Text in images is read with text recognition before the map is built.

Editable branches

Rename, move, or remove nodes so the map matches how your course organizes the topic, not a generic template.

Explorable structure

Expand and collapse branches to focus on one idea at a time, then turn the same material into flashcards or quizzes.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, Word file, slide deck, text file, or photo of a textbook page. No credit card is needed to start.

Review the generated map

Check the main topic, branches, and sub-points. Edit any node that is missing a term or uses the wrong wording.

Explore and study

Click through branches to test recall, then build flashcards or a quiz from the same material when you are ready.

Because the map is built from your own PDF or notes, it reflects your course rather than a generic outline. Each branch is a node you can edit, so you can add a missing term, reorder sections, or delete anything your instructor did not cover. Expanding and collapsing branches lets you study one area at a time, which makes it easier to spot gaps before an exam.

Start with the mind map, then check whether the connections between branches make sense. If a relationship is unclear, add a note to that node and regenerate the study material from the same source.

Explore related topics

Anki-Ready Concept Maps from Your Notes

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

Apps to Make Concept Maps

Turn your notes or PDFs into an editable, explorable concept map with AI.

BIO 189 Module 1 Concept Map

Turn your own BIO 189 module 1 notes into an explorable concept map.

Concept map from your notes with AI

Turn PDFs, slides, and notes into an editable mind map you can explore and study.

Concept Map About Pets

Build a custom pet care concept map from your own notes, then edit and explore it.

Atom components concept map

Turn your atom notes into an editable mind map of protons, neutrons, electrons and shells.

Concept Map Activity From Your Notes

Build a custom concept map activity from your own PDF or notes, editable and explorable.

Air pollution concept map generator

Turn air pollution notes into an editable, explorable mind map for review.

Frequently asked questions

How do I tell a concept map from a mind map?

A mind map starts from one central topic and branches outward, which works well for organizing ideas. A concept map links ideas with labeled relationships, which works well for explaining how ideas connect.

How should I organize a mind map for chemical bonding?

Start with chemical bonding at the center, then create branches for ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding, plus intermolecular forces. Add the key properties and examples under each branch so you can test yourself on each type.

Can I export the mind map?

Exports are part of the Plus plan at $99.90/year or $9.99/month, which includes PDF and DOCX export. The free plan lets you study in the browser without exports.

Is there a free plan?

Yes. The free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser, and you do not need a credit card to start. Students with a school email get 40% off paid plans.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.