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Turn your notes into an editable mind map

Drop in a PDF, a Word file, slides, or photos of your pages. DeckOwl finds the main ideas and arranges them into a mind map you can reshape, expand, 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

Why a mind map helps when the material is dense

Plate tectonics has a lot of moving parts, and a mind map shows how those parts connect in a way a flat list of terms does not. DeckOwl reads your lecture notes or a PDF and sorts the key ideas into main branches with sub-points you can rearrange.

Start from your own textbook chapter or lecture slides instead of a generic template.
Expand branches one at a time to test recall before you look at the sub-points.
Rearrange nodes to match the structure your instructor uses in class.
Keep the map as a study reference you can return to before an exam.

Example plate tectonics mind map branches

Types of plate boundariesDivergent · Convergent · Transform

Evidence for continental driftMatching coastlines · Fossil distribution · Glacial deposits · Rock formations across oceans

Forces driving plate motionMantle convection · Slab pull · Ridge push

Divergent boundary featuresMid-ocean ridges · Rift valleys · Seafloor spreading

Convergent boundary featuresSubduction zones · Volcanic arcs · Mountain building · Deep ocean trenches

Generate the full set

Reads your own material

Works from PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, and images. Photos of pages are read with text recognition.

Editable branches

Rename, move, merge, or add nodes so the map reflects how your course organizes the material.

Explore at your own pace

Expand and collapse branches to focus on one section at a time instead of scanning a long page of notes.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file, or photos of pages. No credit card is needed to start.

Let the AI build the map

DeckOwl groups the key ideas into main branches with sub-points drawn from your source text.

Edit and explore

Reshape the map, add your own connections, and click into any node to review the details.

Because the map is editable, you can add your own branches, merge duplicates, and expand any node to see the passage it came from. Many students find it easier to check their understanding by rebuilding the map from memory and then comparing it with the original.

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Frequently asked questions

How many branches should a mind map have?

Most useful maps have 4 to 7 main branches, each with 2 to 5 sub-points. If a branch gets crowded, split it into a child topic so the top level stays readable.

How do I study from a mind map instead of just looking at it?

Cover the sub-points and try to name them from memory for each branch, then check your answers. Redraw the map from a blank page a day later to see which connections you kept.

Can I export my mind map?

Exporting is a paid feature. The free plan lets you study in the browser, while Plus at $39/year or $7.99/month adds exports such as PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV.

Is there a free way to try it first?

Yes. The free plan includes 3 generations per month, and no credit card is needed to start. Students with a school email get 40% off Plus.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.