Create Concept Maps Online for Free
See a sample concept map of the core steps, then generate your own from notes, a PDF or a topic in minutes.
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
Build Concept Maps From Your Own Material
Start from the files you already study with and let AI draft the first map for you.
Start From Your Files
Upload a PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text or image file and get a concept map from its content.
Clear Linked Structure
Main concepts branch out into linked ideas, so relationships between topics are easy to scan.
Quiz and Flashcards Next
Turn the finished map into a quiz, or make flashcards from the same notes to test recall.
How to Create a Concept Map Online
Three steps take you from raw notes to a map you can edit, expand and study.
- 1
Add Your Material
Upload a file or type the topic you want to map out.
- 2
AI Builds the Map
Concepts, linking ideas and branches are arranged into an interactive map.
- 3
Study, Expand and Export
Edit nodes, expand any branch with AI, then export as PNG or PDF.
Creating Concept Maps Online Free: A Practical Guide
A concept map is a diagram that links key ideas with labeled connecting phrases. Creating concept maps online free means placing a main concept at the center, then adding related concepts and showing how each pair is connected. Most maps follow a simple pattern: a broad idea at the top, narrower ideas below, and examples at the bottom.
- Main concept: the central idea the whole map is organized around.
- Linking phrases: short words such as causes, requires or produces that explain each connection.
- Supporting concepts: the second-level ideas that break the main concept into parts.
- Examples: specific cases that make each branch concrete and easy to remember.
Use your finished map to review before a test, plan an essay or explain a topic to someone else. Generate a personalized concept map with CogniGuide from your own notes whenever you need one.
Explore related topics
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about creating concept maps online for free.
What is the best way to start a concept map?
Begin with the single broadest idea in your topic and write it in the center. Then list the five to eight concepts that belong directly under it before adding any detail or examples.
What makes a concept map different from a mind map?
A concept map labels each connection with a linking phrase, so the relationship between two ideas is explicit. Mind maps radiate from a center without requiring those labels, which makes them more visual and less precise.
Which files can CogniGuide turn into a concept map?
You can upload PDF, Word (DOCX), PowerPoint (PPTX), text or Markdown files, and images. You can also type a topic and let the AI build the first draft from it.
Is there a free plan, and can I turn the map into a quiz?
There is a free plan with 5 creations a week and no payment needed. Each finished map can also be turned into a quiz to test yourself on the material.