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Create a mind map from any PDF or notes using AI

Upload a lecture PDF, slides, or typed notes and get an editable mind map you can expand, rearrange, 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 · First set needs no signup · Creates mind maps in seconds

How AI mind map creation works with your material

Lecture slides and textbook chapters often arrive as long lists, and AI mind map creation can show how the main ideas connect before you start memorizing them.

Starts from your own PDF, slides, or notes instead of a generic template
Editable nodes so you can correct wording and reorder branches
Explorable layout that lets you expand and collapse sections
Pairs with flashcards and quizzes made from the same source material

Example cell biology mind map branches

Cell membranePhospholipid bilayer · Embedded proteins · Selective permeability

MitochondriaSite of cellular respiration · Produces ATP · Has its own DNA

NucleusHolds genetic material · Nuclear envelope with pores · Controls gene expression

Endoplasmic reticulumRough ER makes proteins · Smooth ER makes lipids · Smooth ER detoxifies drugs in liver cells

Golgi apparatusModifies and sorts proteins · Packages molecules into vesicles · Ships products to destinations

Generate the full set

Built from your material

Upload PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, text notes, or photos of pages and get a map based on what you actually studied.

Editable and explorable

Rename nodes, move branches, and collapse sections to focus on one topic at a time.

Study tools from the same source

Turn the same material into flashcards with spaced repetition or quizzes with explanations.

How it works

Upload your source

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

Review the generated map

Check the central topic and main branches against your notes.

Edit and explore

Adjust nodes, expand branches, and study section by section.

DeckOwl reads PDFs, DOCX and PPTX files, plain text notes, and photos of pages with text recognition, then drafts a map with a central topic and main branches. You can rename nodes, move branches, and collapse sections so the map matches how your course organizes the material.

Maps are most useful when you check them against the source. Compare each branch with your notes, add anything missing, and remove branches that repeat each other.

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Turn your own notes or PDF into an editable, explorable mind map with DeckOwl.

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Frequently asked questions

How many main branches should a study mind map have?

Most chapters work well with 4 to 7 main branches, one for each major concept. If a branch needs more than about five sub-points, split it into two smaller branches.

How do I decide which ideas belong on a mind map?

Keep terms that explain how concepts relate, such as causes, types, and functions, and move isolated facts to flashcards. Each branch should be a concept you could explain in one sentence.

Is there a free way to try it?

Yes. The free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser, and no credit card is needed to start.

Can I export my mind maps?

Exporting files such as PDF and DOCX is part of the Plus plan at $39/year or $7.99/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.