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CogniGuide

Google Mind Maps for Studying and Planning

See how a mind map is laid out, then build your own from your notes, a PDF or a topic with AI.

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

Build Google Mind Maps Faster

Skip the blank page. Turn your own material into a clear, editable mind map.

Build from your own files

Upload a PDF, Word file, PowerPoint or text file, and the AI drafts the branches for you.

Editable branches

Expand any node with AI, rename nodes and reorganize the map as your understanding grows.

Study beyond the map

Turn the same map into a quiz or flashcards, then export it as PNG or PDF to share.

How to Make a Google Mind Map

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

  1. 1

    Add your material

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

  2. 2

    AI builds the map

    The main idea sits in the centre, with branches for each subtopic.

  3. 3

    Study, expand and export

    Expand weak branches, take a quiz and export the map as PNG or PDF.

Google Mind Map Basics and Structure

A Google mind map is a visual diagram of ideas, usually built in Google Drawings, Docs or Slides. A central topic sits in the middle, and main branches radiate outward, each splitting into smaller points. Good maps group related ideas together so the overall structure is easy to see at a glance.

  • Central topic: the single idea the whole map is about
  • Main branches: the major themes that support the topic
  • Sub-branches: details, examples and definitions under each theme
  • Connections: links between branches that show cause or relation

Use the map to review before a test, plan a project or outline an essay. Then generate a personalized map with CogniGuide from your own notes to save time.

Explore related topics

mind maps appA mind maps app turns notes, PDFs and slides into a clear branching map you can expand, edit and study from. Create your own map from your files in minutes.mind map for iPadA mind map for iPad helps you organize lectures, notes and projects on one touch screen. Build one from your own files, then expand, edit and quiz yourself.open source mind mapsOpen source mind maps are free, editable tools you can inspect, host and adapt. See an example map and how to build one from your own notes or PDF.mind map appsMind map apps let you sketch ideas as connected branches. See how to pick one and make a map from your own notes, PDF or slides with CogniGuide.online mind mapsOnline mind maps turn your notes into a visual branch map you can edit and share. Build one from a PDF, document or topic in minutes, free to start.PPT mind map makerA PPT mind map turns slide decks into branched visual summaries. See an example map and learn how to build one from your presentation.online mind mapping with GoogleLearn how online mind mapping with Google works, from Drawings to AI-built maps from your own files.google tool for mind mappingCompare Google apps for mind mapping and see how to build a map faster from your notes.

Google Mind Map Questions

Common questions about making mind maps in Google tools and with CogniGuide.

Can I make a mind map in Google Drawings?

Yes. Google Drawings has shapes and connector lines, so you can place a central topic and draw branches outward by hand. It works, but you build every node yourself.

Is there a built-in mind map feature in Google Docs?

Google Docs does not include a dedicated mind map tool. Most people use Drawings or Slides to lay out the diagram and insert it into the document.

Which files can CogniGuide 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 make a quiz from the mind map for free?

CogniGuide has a free plan with 5 creations a week, and each map can be turned into a quiz to test yourself.