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CogniGuide

Make a Mind Map Online for Free

Upload your notes, a PDF, slides or an image, or simply type a topic. CogniGuide turns it into an interactive mind map you can expand, edit and export.

No credit card required

AI Generated Preview

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 with a free mind map

Build a clear visual map from your own material, then use it to study, plan or share.

Build from your files

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or Markdown file, or an image, and the AI structures it into branches.

Expand and edit any node

Ask the AI to expand a branch with more detail, and edit node text whenever you want to adjust the map.

Export, share or quiz yourself

Export as PNG or PDF, share a link, or turn the map into a quiz to test what you remember.

How to make a mind map online

Three simple steps from raw notes to a finished, study-ready map.

  1. 1

    Add your material

    Upload a file or type the topic you want to map out.

  2. 2

    AI builds the map

    The AI groups your content into a main topic with expandable branches.

  3. 3

    Study, expand or export

    Refine the branches, quiz yourself, then export as PNG or PDF.

Free Online Mind Map Basics

A mind map is a diagram that places one central idea in the middle and connects related ideas as branches. Each branch can split into smaller subtopics, so the whole structure reads from general to specific. To make one online for free, you can start with a central topic, add the main categories, then fill each branch with key terms, examples and facts.

  • Central topic: the single idea the whole map is built around.
  • Main branches: the major categories that split the subject.
  • Subtopics: smaller ideas that support each main branch.
  • Key details: facts, dates, terms or examples on the lowest level.

Use the finished map to review before an exam, plan a project or explain a subject to someone else. CogniGuide can build a personalized mind map from your own notes, so the structure matches exactly what you need to learn.

Free mind map questions

Answers about making a mind map online without cost.

Can I make a mind map online for free?

Yes. The free plan lets you create up to 5 maps a week with no payment needed. Paid plans raise those limits.

What files can I turn into a mind map?

You can upload PDF, Word (DOCX), PowerPoint (PPTX), text, Markdown or image files, or simply type a topic.

Can I edit the map after it is generated?

Yes. You can edit any node's text and expand any branch with AI to add more detail.

Can I test myself with the map?

Yes. You can turn a finished map into a quiz, and the same notes can also become flashcards.