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Turn your class notes into a mind map you can edit and explore

Upload a PDF, slide deck, Word file, or photo of your notes and get a branching map of the main ideas that you can rename, rearrange, and open section by section.

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

Why a mind map helps when you study from your own notes

A good online mind map maker for students should start from the material you already have, not a blank canvas. Paste or upload lecture slides, a reading PDF, or photos of handwritten pages, and DeckOwl arranges the main ideas into branches you can rename and rearrange.

Turns lecture slides, PDFs, and Word files into a structured map
Reads photos of textbook or whiteboard pages with text recognition
Lets you edit nodes so the map matches your course outline
Pairs well with flashcards and quizzes made from the same notes

Example cell biology mind map branches

NucleusHolds DNA · Controls gene expression · Surrounded by a nuclear envelope

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

Endoplasmic reticulumRough ER makes proteins · Smooth ER makes lipids · Connects to the nuclear envelope

Cell membranePhospholipid bilayer · Controls what enters and leaves · Holds embedded proteins

Golgi apparatusModifies proteins · Sorts and packages molecules · Ships products in vesicles

Generate the full set

Upload Almost Anything

Start from PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text notes, or photos of pages read with text recognition.

Editable Branches

Rename, move, and expand nodes so the map matches how your course organizes the topic.

Explore at Your Pace

Collapse and open branches to focus on one idea at a time instead of a crowded page.

How it works

Add your material

Upload a PDF, slide deck, Word file, or a photo of your handwritten notes.

Generate the map

DeckOwl builds a branching map of the main ideas and their sub-points.

Edit and explore

Adjust branches to fit your syllabus, then open and close sections as you review.

Mind maps work because they show how concepts connect, which is hard to see in a linear summary. When you can collapse a branch and test yourself on its sub-points, the map becomes a study tool rather than a poster.

The free plan includes 3 generations per month with studying in the browser. Plus adds unlimited generations and PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV export, so you can take your work into other tools.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I make a mind map from class notes?

Upload your notes or a photo of them and let DeckOwl generate the first draft. Rename any branch that does not match your lecture and add sub-points you want to remember.

How many branches should a study mind map have?

Aim for five to seven main branches, one for each major idea in the unit, with two to four sub-points under each. Fewer branches usually means the topic is too broad to review in one sitting.

Can I export my mind map?

Exporting is a paid feature. Plus includes PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV export, while the free plan lets you study in the browser.

Is there a free option for students?

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 paid plans.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.