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CogniGuide

Making Mind Maps: A Clear Step-by-Step Method

See how a mind map is built from a central idea, main branches and details. Then let AI build one from your own notes, PDF or slides.

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 Mind Maps From Your Own Material

Start from your notes and let the structure follow what you have already written or read.

Map from your files

Upload a PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text or image file and get a branched map of its key ideas.

Clear branch structure

Main branches hold themes, and child nodes hold the evidence, examples and definitions beneath them.

Expand, quiz and export

Grow any node with AI, turn the map into a self-test quiz, or export it as a PNG or PDF.

How to Make a Mind Map in Three Steps

Start with a topic or file, then let the map take shape and refine it as you study.

  1. 1

    Add your material

    Upload your notes or slides, or type the topic you want to map.

  2. 2

    AI builds the map

    A central idea appears with branches for the main themes and details beneath each one.

  3. 3

    Study and refine

    Expand nodes, edit text, then quiz yourself or export the map for revision.

Making Mind Maps: Method and Structure

Making mind maps means placing one central idea in the middle of a page and radiating main branches outward for each major theme. Each branch then splits into sub-branches with supporting facts, examples and definitions. Keeping words short and using keywords on each node makes the map easy to scan and review.

  • Central idea: the single topic placed in the middle
  • Main branches: the three to six major themes
  • Sub-branches: supporting facts, causes and examples
  • Keywords: short labels that make recall faster
  • Colour and layout: grouping to show relationships

Use the finished map to revise, quiz yourself or plan an essay. CogniGuide can build a personalized mind map from your own notes in minutes.

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Common Questions About Making Mind Maps

Answers to the questions students ask most when they start mapping.

What is the first step in making a mind map?

Write the central topic in the middle of the page. Everything else branches from that single idea, so decide on it before adding anything else.

How many main branches should a mind map have?

Most good maps use three to six main branches. Fewer than three can look thin, and more than six makes the map harder to scan.

Which files can CogniGuide turn into a mind map?

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

Is CogniGuide free and can it make a quiz from my map?

There is a free plan with 5 creations a week and no payment needed. You can turn a finished map into a quiz to test yourself.