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CogniGuide

How to Build a Mind Map From Your Notes

See a complete example of a central idea with branches, subtopics and details. Then let AI build your own map from a PDF, slides or a typed topic.

No credit card required

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CogniGuide at a glance

What you get
Interactive mind maps of the main ideas and how they connect. Free: overview maps (detailed maps on your first 3 creations). Plus: detailed maps with supporting concepts.
Exports
Your first PDF or PNG export is free; Plus exports anytime.
Price
Free plan: 5 creations a week, up to 3 a day. Plus: $9.99/month or $99.90/year (USD; local prices at checkout).
Sign-up
A free account is required before you create anything (Google or email). No credit card.
What you can upload
PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), plain text or Markdown, and images (PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF), or type a topic. One file per creation on the free plan; several at once on Plus.

How it compares: vs Knowt · vs Quizlet · vs NotebookLM · vs Mapify

Everything You Need to Build a Mind Map

Start from your own material, shape the branches, and then use the map to study.

Build from your own files

Upload a PDF, Word file, slides, text or an image, and the AI turns it into a branched map.

Clear branches and subtopics

Each main idea becomes a branch, with supporting points and details nested beneath it.

Expand, edit and test yourself

Grow any node with AI, edit the text, then turn the map into a quiz to check recall.

Build a Mind Map in Three Steps

Start with a central idea, add your material, and let the map take shape.

  1. 1

    Choose your central idea

    Pick one main topic or question. Place it at the centre of the map.

  2. 2

    Add your material or topic

    Upload your notes or PDF, or type the topic you want to map.

  3. 3

    Study, expand and export

    Review the branches, expand weak areas with AI, then export as PNG or PDF.

How to Build a Mind Map Step by Step

To build a mind map, start with one central idea written in the middle of a page. Draw main branches for the key themes, then add subtopics, examples and facts as smaller branches. Keep each word short, use colour or icons to group related ideas, and link branches where concepts overlap. A good mind map shows how ideas connect, not just a list of notes.

  • Central idea: the single topic or question the map is about
  • Main branches: the major themes that support the central idea
  • Subtopics: smaller points that explain each main branch
  • Details: examples, dates, definitions or formulas at the end of branches
  • Cross-links: connections between branches that show relationships

Use your finished map to review before a test, plan an essay or revise a project. To build one from your own notes in minutes, CogniGuide turns your files into an interactive map you can expand and test yourself with.

Explore related topics

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Mind Map Building Questions

Answers on method, plus how to build your map with CogniGuide.

What should go in the centre of a mind map?

Put one clear central idea in the middle, such as a topic, question or project name. Everything else should branch out from it, so the centre sets the focus for the whole map.

How many branches should a mind map have?

Most maps work well with four to six main branches, each with a few subtopics. Too many main branches make the map hard to scan, so group related ideas together.

Which files can I use to build a mind map with CogniGuide?

You can upload PDF, Word (DOCX), PowerPoint (PPTX), text or Markdown files, or an image. You can also type a topic and let the AI create the first version.

Can I turn my CogniGuide mind map into a quiz?

Yes. Once your map is built, you can turn it into a quiz to test yourself. The same notes can also become flashcards. A free plan allows 5 creations a week.