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CogniGuide

Free Online Mind Map Maker

Build a clear mind map in your browser from a PDF, Word or PowerPoint file, or just a topic. Start free, with no payment needed.

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

Why Use a Free Online Mind Map Tool

Create, expand and study your maps without installing anything.

Build From Your Own Files

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

Expandable Branches

Expand any node with AI, edit its text and reorganize branches as your understanding grows.

Study Beyond the Map

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

How to Make a Free Online Mind Map

Three steps from a blank page to a finished map.

  1. 1

    Add Your Material

    Upload a file or type a topic into the generator.

  2. 2

    AI Builds the Map

    The AI organizes your content into a branching mind map with a central topic.

  3. 3

    Study, Expand and Export

    Expand branches, edit text, take a quiz, then export as PNG or PDF or share a link.

Free Mind Mapping Online: How It Works

A mind map is a diagram that places one central idea in the middle and branches out to related subtopics. A free online mind map tool lets you create this structure in your browser, without downloading software. You start with a topic or a file, and the map shows how the main ideas connect.

  • Central topic: the main idea placed at the center
  • Main branches: the major categories that support it
  • Sub-branches: details, examples and evidence under each branch
  • Connections: links that show how ideas relate across branches

Use the map to review before a test, plan a project or outline an essay. CogniGuide can build a personalized mind map from your own notes, so you can start from your material instead of a blank page.

Free Online Mind Map Questions

Quick answers about making mind maps online for free.

Is there a free online mind map maker?

Yes. CogniGuide has a free plan that allows 5 creations a week, and you do not need to make a payment to start.

Which 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 export my free mind map?

Yes. You can export a map as a PNG or PDF and share it with a link.

Can I turn a free mind map into a quiz?

Yes. Any map can be turned into a quiz to test your understanding of its branches.