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CogniGuide

Digital Concept Map Maker for Students and Teachers

See how a concept map links ideas with labeled connections, then let AI build one from your own notes, PDF or slides.

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 the Digital Concept Map Maker Does

Start from your own material and get a map you can study, expand and test yourself on.

Built From Your Files

Upload a PDF, Word or PowerPoint file, a text or Markdown file, or an image, and get a concept map from it.

Linked Ideas With Labels

Concepts sit in nodes and connect through branches, so you can see how each idea relates to the next.

Quiz and Share Your Map

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

How to Make a Concept Map Digitally

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

  1. 1

    Add Your Material

    Upload your notes or slides, or simply type the topic you are studying.

  2. 2

    AI Builds the Map

    The generator finds the main concepts and links them into expandable branches.

  3. 3

    Study, Expand and Quiz

    Edit nodes, expand weak areas with AI, then quiz yourself or export the map.

Digital Concept Map Maker: How Concept Maps Work

A digital concept map maker lets you draw the links between ideas on screen instead of on paper. A concept map places key terms in nodes and labels each connection with a short phrase, such as causes or requires, so the relationship is explicit. Good maps usually run from broad, general concepts at the top to specific examples at the bottom.

  • Concepts: the key terms or ideas placed in nodes
  • Linking phrases: short labels that explain each connection
  • Hierarchy: broad ideas at the top, details below
  • Cross-links: connections between branches that show deeper relationships
  • Examples: concrete instances that anchor abstract ideas

Use the finished map to review before a test, spot gaps in your understanding, or plan an essay. CogniGuide can build a personalized concept map from your own notes so you start from your material.

Digital Concept Map Maker Questions

Answers about concept maps and making one with CogniGuide.

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

A concept map labels each link between ideas and can form a network with cross-links. A mind map radiates from one central idea with branches and usually has no labeled connections between branches.

Why do teachers ask students to draw concept maps?

Drawing a map forces students to decide which ideas matter and how they connect. Teachers use the maps to see whether a student understands relationships, not only isolated facts.

Which files can CogniGuide turn into a concept map?

You can upload PDF, Word (DOCX) and PowerPoint (PPTX) files, text or Markdown files, or images. You can also type a topic directly.

Can I turn my concept map into a quiz with CogniGuide?

Yes. Each map can become a quiz so you can test yourself on the concepts and links. The same notes can also be turned into flashcards.