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Turn your notes into a concept map you can edit and explore

Upload lecture notes, slides, or a textbook chapter and get a visual map of the ideas and how they connect.

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

Making a concept map from your own course material

Students often know the ideas from a lecture but cannot see how they link together. A concept map solves that by putting a central idea in the middle and connecting related terms with labeled relationships. The hard part is usually the first draft, which is where DeckOwl helps.

Works with PDFs, Word files, PowerPoint decks, plain notes, and photos of pages
Produces an editable map, so you can correct any connection the first pass gets wrong
Lets you explore branches one at a time instead of scanning one dense diagram
Free plan includes 3 generations per month with browser study

Example cell biology concept map branches

Cell membranePhospholipid bilayer · Embedded proteins · Selective permeability · Passive and active transport

MitochondriaDouble membrane · Cristae · Site of cellular respiration · Produces most of the cell's ATP

NucleusNuclear envelope · Chromatin · Nucleolus · Stores DNA and directs transcription

Endoplasmic reticulumRough ER with ribosomes · Smooth ER · Protein folding · Lipid synthesis

Cell cycleInterphase · Mitosis · Cytokinesis · Checkpoints that pause division

Generate the full set

Starts from your own material

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, or a photo of a page. Text recognition reads photos so handwritten-then-printed pages still work.

Editable branches

Rename, move, or delete nodes so the map matches what your instructor taught, not a generic template.

Explorable structure

Expand and collapse branches to focus on one topic at a time, then zoom out to see how the whole subject fits together.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, Word file, slide deck, or text. No credit card is needed to start.

Generate the map

DeckOwl pulls out the main ideas and arranges them as a central topic with linked branches.

Edit and study

Adjust the branches, then explore the map in your browser. Plus users can export the map and turn it into flashcards.

DeckOwl builds an editable mind map from the material you already have. It is a close cousin of the concept map: a central topic, branches, and sub-points. You can reshape the branches to match your syllabus, and the free plan lets you study the result in the browser.

For best results, start with one chapter or one lecture rather than a whole semester. A focused map is easier to check against your notes and easier to remember.

Explore related topics

Concept Maps in Word vs. AI Mind Maps

Build a concept map in Word by hand, or turn your notes into an editable AI mind map.

How to Create a Concept Map

Turn notes or a PDF into an editable AI mind map, with ecosystem and food web examples.

Make a Mind Map from Your Notes

Upload notes or PDFs for an editable, explorable mind map. No credit card to start.

Mind maps: PowerPoint or AI generator

Make a mind map in PowerPoint or generate one from your notes with AI.

Free Concept Map Maker from Your Notes

Turn your PDF or notes into an editable concept map in your browser, free to start.

Make a concept map from your notes

Step-by-step way to turn PDFs or notes into an editable mind map with AI.

AI Concept Map from PDF

Turn a PDF or notes into an editable, explorable concept map with AI, free to start.

AI Concept Map Generator From Text

Turn pasted text or uploaded notes into an editable, explorable mind map with AI.

Frequently asked questions

How many concepts should a cell biology concept map include?

A focused map for one cell biology chapter usually works best with about 15 to 25 concepts and one central idea. Fewer concepts can hide the relationships, and too many make the map hard to scan.

How do I check that a concept map is accurate?

Label each link with a short phrase such as requires, produces, or regulates, then compare the map against your textbook or lecture slides. Covering one branch and rebuilding it from memory is a quick way to test what you actually know.

Can I export a DeckOwl map?

Exporting is a Plus feature, with PDF, DOCX, and Anki export included at $39 per year or $7.99 per month. The free plan lets you study maps in the browser with 3 generations per month.

Does DeckOwl need a credit card to start?

No. You can start on the free plan without a credit card, 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.