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CogniGuide

Online Mind Map Designer for Students and Teachers

Start from a simple example map, then design your own from a PDF, Word or PowerPoint file, or from a topic you type in.

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 Design Online

Build a map from your own material, then shape it to suit how you study.

Build From Your Files

Upload a PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text or image file and get a branching map automatically.

Expand and Edit Nodes

Add detail to any branch with AI, or rewrite node text until the structure matches your notes.

Quiz and Flashcards

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

How the Online Designer Works

Three steps from raw notes to a clear, editable map.

  1. 1

    Add Your Material

    Upload a file or type a topic into the designer.

  2. 2

    AI Builds the Map

    The AI groups your content into a main topic with expandable branches.

  3. 3

    Refine and Export

    Edit nodes, expand branches, export as PNG or PDF, or share a link.

Designing a Mind Map Online

An online mind map designer is a browser tool for drawing a central idea with branches of related ideas. Good maps keep a clear hierarchy: one main topic, a few major branches, then supporting details. Working online means you can edit, rearrange and share a map without installing software, and the same map can be rebuilt quickly as your notes change.

  • Central topic: the single idea the whole map is organized around
  • Main branches: the broad categories that split the topic
  • Sub-branches: specific facts, examples or steps under each branch
  • Links and notes: connections between distant ideas and short explanations

Use the finished map to revise, plan an essay or prepare for an exam. CogniGuide can build a personalized map from your own notes in the same way.

Online Mind Map Designer Questions

Common questions about designing maps in the browser.

Do I need to install anything to design a map?

No. The designer runs in your browser, so you can create, edit and export maps without installing software.

Can I design a map from my own document?

Yes. Upload a PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text or image file, and the AI will turn its content into a mind map.

Is there a free plan?

Yes. The free plan allows 5 creations a week and needs no payment. Paid plans raise these limits.

Can I turn my design into a quiz?

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