CogniGuide Logo
CogniGuide

Where Can I Make a Concept Map Online

See an example concept map of a study topic, then build your own from notes, a PDF, slides or a simple topic name.

No credit card required

AI Generated Preview

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 Your Concept Map in Minutes

Start from the material you already have, then shape the map to suit how you study.

Start from your own files

Upload a PDF, Word or PowerPoint file, a text or Markdown file, or an image to build the map.

Clear branches for each idea

The AI groups key terms, causes and examples into branches you can expand, edit and reorganize.

Turn the map into study tools

Test yourself with a quiz built from the map, make flashcards from the same notes, or export as PNG or PDF.

How to Make a Concept Map Online

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

  1. 1

    Add your material

    Upload your notes, textbook PDF or slides, or type the topic you need to study.

  2. 2

    AI builds the map

    The AI finds the main concepts and links them into a branching map you can read at a glance.

  3. 3

    Study, expand and export

    Expand weak branches with AI, edit the wording, then quiz yourself or export the map.

Where to Make a Concept Map for Study

A concept map shows ideas as nodes connected by labeled links, so you can see how one idea depends on another. Most maps start from one central topic and branch out into its main parts, causes, examples and terms. Making one by hand works, but it takes time, and it is easy to miss links. An online tool can read your material and suggest the structure for you.

  • Central topic: the big idea placed at the top or center
  • Main branches: the major subtopics that split from it
  • Supporting details: examples, dates, definitions and causes
  • Cross links: connections between branches that show relationships
  • Summary nodes: short takeaways for quick revision

Use the map to review before an exam, check gaps in your notes, or plan an essay. Then CogniGuide can build a personalized concept map from your own files, so the structure matches what you actually studied.

Concept Map Questions Answered

Common questions about making concept maps online.

What is the easiest way to make a concept map?

Start with your main topic in the center, list the key ideas from your notes, and group them into branches. An AI tool can do the first draft from a file, which you can then edit.

Can I make a concept map from a PDF?

Yes. CogniGuide accepts PDF, Word and PowerPoint files, plus text, Markdown and images, and turns the content into an interactive mind map.

Is there a free concept map maker?

CogniGuide has a free plan that allows 5 creations a week with no payment needed. Paid plans raise those limits.

Can I test myself with the map?

Yes. You can turn a CogniGuide map into a quiz to check what you remember, and make flashcards from the same notes.