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CogniGuide

Make Mind Maps Online From Your Own Files

Upload a PDF, Word or PowerPoint file, or simply type a topic. The AI builds an interactive mind map you can expand, edit 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 Make Mind Maps Online

Turn lecture slides, reading notes or a plain topic into a map you can study and share.

Build from your own material

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or Markdown file, or an image, and the AI extracts the main ideas into branches.

Expandable, editable branches

Open any node to expand it with AI, rewrite its text, and reorganize the structure until it matches your course.

Study beyond the map

Turn the map into a quiz to test yourself, make flashcards from the same notes, or export as PNG or PDF.

How to Make a Mind Map Online

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

  1. 1

    Add your material

    Upload a file or type a topic into the generator. No software to install.

  2. 2

    AI builds the map

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

  3. 3

    Study, expand and export

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

Making Mind Maps Online: A Practical Guide

To make mind maps online, start with one central idea and place its main categories around it as branches. Each branch then splits into details, examples and terms. A mind map works because it shows how ideas connect, not just a list. Online tools speed this up by extracting those categories from your text automatically.

  • Central idea: the single topic or question the whole map answers.
  • Main branches: the 4-6 major categories that support the central idea.
  • Sub-branches: details, causes, examples or steps under each category.
  • Links and terms: key vocabulary and relationships worth testing yourself on.

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

Common Questions About Online Mind Maps

Answers on making mind maps online and using CogniGuide.

What is the best way to start a mind map?

Write the main topic in the center, then list the five or six biggest categories around it. Add details only after the main branches are clear, so the structure stays easy to follow.

Can I make a mind map online without installing anything?

Yes. An online mind map maker runs in your browser, so you only need an internet connection and a file or topic to start.

Which file types can CogniGuide use?

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

Can I turn my online mind map into a quiz?

Yes. Once the map is built, you can convert it into a quiz to test yourself, and the same notes can also become flashcards.