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CogniGuide

Create Mind Maps Online From Your Own Notes

Upload a PDF, Word file, slides or image, or type a topic. The AI builds an editable mind map with branches you can expand, quiz and export.

No credit card required

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Trusted by learners from top universities

University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of MichiganGeorgetown UniversityUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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

What You Get When You Create a Mind Map Online

Build a structured map from the material you already have, then study from it.

Build From Your Files

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text, Markdown or image and the AI turns it into a mind map.

Expandable Branches

Expand any node with AI, edit its text and reorganize branches to fit how you think.

Quiz and Share

Turn the map into a quiz to test yourself, export as PNG or PDF, or share a link.

How to Create a Mind Map Online

Three steps from raw notes to a map you can study and share.

  1. 1

    Add Your Material

    Upload a file or type a topic into the mind map maker.

  2. 2

    AI Builds the Map

    The AI groups your content into a central idea with main and sub branches.

  3. 3

    Study, Expand and Export

    Expand weak branches, take a quiz or export the map as PNG or PDF.

Creating Mind Maps Online for Studying and Planning

A mind map is a diagram that starts with one central idea and radiates outward in branches. Each main branch holds a major theme, and sub-branches add supporting details, examples and definitions. Creating a mind map online lets you build this structure quickly from a document, slide deck or plain topic, without drawing every link by hand.

  • Central topic: the core idea placed at the middle of the map
  • Main branches: the major themes that organize the material
  • Sub-branches: supporting facts, examples and definitions
  • Connections: links that show how ideas relate across branches

Use the finished map to review before an exam, outline an essay or plan a project. To build one from your own notes, CogniGuide creates a personalized mind map in minutes.

Common Questions About Online Mind Maps

Answers about creating and using mind maps online.

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

A mind map radiates outward from one central idea to show associations. A flowchart shows a sequence of steps or decisions in a fixed order. Mind maps suit brainstorming and study, while flowcharts suit processes.

Can I make a mind map from a PDF?

Yes. Upload a PDF in CogniGuide and the AI reads the text to build a map with branches and sub-branches. You can then edit and expand any part of it.

Which file types can the mind map maker use?

You can upload PDF, Word (DOCX), PowerPoint (PPTX), text or Markdown files, or an image. You can also type a topic instead of uploading anything.

Is it free to create a mind map online?

Yes. The free plan includes 5 creations a week with no payment needed. Paid plans raise those limits.