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Start from your own notes instead of a blank mind map template

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, or a photo of a page and get an editable mind map built from your material.

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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

Why a generated map beats an empty template

Students who go looking for a blank mind map template usually already have a lecture or chapter open and want the structure without typing every node from scratch.

Start from a PDF, slides, or notes instead of an empty canvas.
Keep each branch short so the map is easy to scan and recall.
Edit the generated map to match your lecture order and terminology.
Try the free plan first; no credit card is needed to begin.

Example photosynthesis mind map branches for biology

Light-dependent reactionsOccur in thylakoid membranes · Split water and release oxygen · Produce ATP and NADPH

Calvin cycleOccurs in the stroma · Fixes carbon dioxide using RuBisCO · Uses ATP and NADPH to build sugar

InputsLight energy · Water · Carbon dioxide

OutputsGlucose or other sugars · Oxygen · Stored chemical energy

Factors that limit the rateLight intensity · Carbon dioxide concentration · Temperature

Generate the full set

Built from your material

Feed in a PDF, slides, or notes and the main ideas become branches, with supporting points beneath them.

Editable and explorable

Reshape branches, rework the wording, and move through the map at whatever depth you need.

Study from the same map

Turn the same source into flashcards or quizzes when you want to test recall, not just review structure.

How it works

Upload your source

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

Generate the mind map

DeckOwl sorts the material into a central topic, main branches, and sub-points you can scan quickly.

Edit and review

Adjust the branches to match your course, then study the map in your browser.

DeckOwl reads your source and places the central topic in the middle, with one branch for each major section and short sub-points beneath. You can edit any branch, so the map ends up reflecting your course rather than a generic layout.

The free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser. Plus adds unlimited generations and PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV export, and students get 40% off with a school email.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I structure a mind map for a biology chapter?

Put the chapter topic in the center, then add one branch for each major section such as cell structure, energy transfer, or genetics. Keep each branch to two to four short sub-points so you can recall them without the labels.

How many branches should a study mind map have?

Most study maps work best with 5 to 8 main branches, since more than that is hard to scan and recall. If a topic is larger than that, split it into two linked maps rather than crowding one.

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.

Can I export my mind map?

Exporting is a paid feature. Plus includes PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV export, and it costs $99.90 per year or $9.99 per month.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.