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CogniGuide

Create Online Mind Maps From Your Own Notes

Upload a PDF, Word file, slides or type a topic, and get an interactive map with expandable branches you can edit, export or quiz yourself on.

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 Can Do With an Online Mind Map

Start from material you already have, then shape the map into a study tool.

Build from your own files

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text, Markdown or image file and let the AI structure the main ideas.

Expand and edit any branch

Ask the AI to expand a node with more detail, or rewrite node text to match your course.

Quiz, export and share

Turn the map into a self-test quiz, export it as PNG or PDF, or share a link with classmates.

How to Make an Online Mind Map

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

  1. 1

    Add your material

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

  2. 2

    AI builds the map

    The generator groups ideas into a central topic with linked branches.

  3. 3

    Study, expand or quiz

    Open branches, add detail with AI, then test yourself or export the result.

Online Mind Maps for Studying and Planning

An online mind map is a diagram you build in a web browser. A central idea sits in the middle, and branches spread out to show related subtopics, causes, examples and details. Because the layout is visual, you can see how ideas connect at a glance, which helps with memory and with planning essays, projects or presentations. Unlike a static picture, an online map can be edited, expanded and shared from any device.

  • Central topic: the main idea that anchors the whole map
  • Main branches: the major themes or categories under the topic
  • Sub-branches: supporting facts, definitions and examples
  • Links and notes: connections between ideas and short explanations

Use the map to review before an exam, outline a paper or explain a process to someone else. CogniGuide can build a personalized mind map from your own notes, so you can start from your material rather than a blank page.

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Online Mind Map Questions

Answers about making and using mind maps online.

What is an online mind map?

An online mind map is a diagram created and edited in a web browser. It places a central idea in the middle with branches for related subtopics, so you can see relationships between ideas at a glance.

Why use a mind map instead of a list?

A mind map shows how ideas relate to each other, not just their order. Branching layouts make it easier to see the big picture, spot gaps and recall related details during revision.

Which files can I turn into an online mind map with CogniGuide?

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

Is it free, and can I turn the map into a quiz?

There is a free plan with 5 creations a week and no payment needed. Each map can also be turned into a quiz to test yourself on the material.