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Know what a concept map is and turn your notes into one

A concept map shows how ideas relate through labeled links. DeckOwl reads your PDFs and notes and builds an editable mind map you can explore, which is the closest format to a concept map in the tool.

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How a concept map works

A concept map is a diagram of ideas where each connection carries a short label that explains how two ideas relate. Reading one from top to bottom or across gives you a sentence for every link, such as "metals react with water" or "halogens form salts."

Labeled links make a concept map read like a set of short statements.
Mind maps group ideas under one central topic and are faster to sketch.
Both formats work best when you keep each node to a single idea.
Redraw the map from memory after studying to check what you actually recall.

Example mind map branches: periodic table groups

Group 1: alkali metalsOne valence electron · highly reactive, especially with water · soft and low density

Group 2: alkaline earth metalsTwo valence electrons · form 2+ ions · more dense and less reactive than Group 1

Group 17: halogensSeven valence electrons · gain one electron to form 1- ions · react with metals to form salts

Group 18: noble gasesFull outer electron shell · very low reactivity · mostly exist as single atoms

Groups 3 to 12: transition metalsVariable oxidation states · often form colored compounds · good catalysts

Generate the full set

Starts from your material

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file, or photo of a page and get a map built from your own content.

Editable and explorable

Rearrange branches, rename topics, and expand or collapse sections to see the structure of a subject.

Study from the map

Move from the map to flashcards or quizzes on the same material when you are ready to test yourself.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text file, or a photo of your page.

Review the map

Check the main idea, the supporting branches, and the connections before you study.

Edit and explore

Adjust any branch so the map matches how your course presents the material.

A mind map is a close cousin. It radiates outward from one central topic, with branches that group related points, but its links are usually unlabeled. Use a mind map to organize a topic quickly, and a concept map when the relationships between ideas are the lesson.

DeckOwl builds mind maps from your own material, so you can start with the structure your course already uses and then edit it to show the links that matter most for your exam.

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What Is Mind Mapping? Plain-English Guide

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What Is Mind Mapping in Education?

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Anki-Ready Concept Maps from Your Notes

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a concept map and a mind map?

A concept map labels each connection to show how two ideas relate, while a mind map branches from one central topic and usually leaves links unlabeled. Both help you see structure, but concept maps are better for explaining cause, type, or relationship.

How do I start a concept map for a new unit?

Begin with the broadest idea in the unit and write it in the center or at the top. Add the main subtopics as nodes, then label each link with a short phrase describing the relationship, and check that every node is one idea.

Can I export my DeckOwl map?

Exporting files such as PDF and DOCX is a Plus feature, while the free plan lets you study in the browser. Plus is $39 per year or $7.99 per month, and students get 40% off with a school email.

Do I need a credit card to try DeckOwl?

No. You can start on the free plan, which includes 3 generations per month, without adding a credit card.

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