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Turn your notes into a free mind map on your Mac

No app to install. Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, or a photo of your notes and get a mind map you can edit and explore.

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 to get a mind map on your Mac without a download

Many students searching for a free mind map download for Mac want a ready-made diagram, but a map built from your own lecture notes is usually more useful at exam time. DeckOwl is a browser-based AI tool, so nothing needs to be installed on your Mac. Open the site in Safari or Chrome, upload your material, and the map is generated from it.

Runs in your browser on macOS with nothing to install.
Accepts PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, and photos of pages.
Free plan: 3 generations per month, with browser study and no exports.
Exports to PDF, DOCX, Anki, or CSV are included with Plus.

Example cell biology mind map branches (common study topic)

Cell membranePhospholipid bilayer · Selective permeability · Passive and active transport

MitochondriaSite of cellular respiration · Produces most of the cell's ATP · Contains its own circular DNA

NucleusStores genetic material as chromosomes · Nuclear envelope with pores · Directs protein synthesis

Endoplasmic reticulumRough ER has ribosomes for protein synthesis · Smooth ER makes lipids · Helps detoxify some compounds

Golgi apparatusModifies and sorts proteins · Packages materials into vesicles · Receives vesicles from the ER

Generate the full set

No download needed

DeckOwl runs in your browser on macOS, so there is no app to install or update.

Built from your own material

Upload PDFs, Word files, slides, plain text, or a photo of a page, which is read with text recognition.

Editable and explorable

Adjust branches and move through the map to see how ideas connect before you study.

How it works

Upload your material

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, notes, or a photo of a page from your textbook or lecture.

Generate the map

DeckOwl builds a mind map from the main ideas in what you uploaded.

Explore and edit

Expand branches, rearrange them, and fix anything that looks off before you study.

The free plan includes 3 generations per month and lets you study in the browser. Exports such as PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV are part of the Plus plan, which is $99.90/year or $9.99/month and includes unlimited generations. Students get 40% off with a school email, and no credit card is needed to start.

For the most useful result, paste in the chapter or slides for one topic at a time. The branches will then match your course rather than a generic template.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I make a mind map from a textbook chapter?

Start by naming the chapter topic as the central idea, then add its main sections as first-level branches. Place key terms under each section and keep every branch to a few words so you can scan it quickly.

How many branches should a study mind map have?

Most useful maps have 5 to 8 main branches, each with 2 to 4 sub-points. If there are too many branches, the structure becomes hard to see, so combine related ideas under one parent.

Do I need to download an app to use DeckOwl on a Mac?

No. DeckOwl runs in your web browser, so there is nothing to install. The free plan lets you study in the browser, but exporting files requires a paid plan.

Can I export my study material as a PDF?

Yes, PDF export is part of the Plus plan, which also includes DOCX, Anki, and CSV export. Plus costs $99.90/year or $9.99/month, and 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.