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CogniGuide

Where to Make a Mind Map Online

Choose a tool that builds the map for you. Upload a PDF, Word or PowerPoint file, or type a topic, and CogniGuide turns it into an interactive mind map.

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 Build Your Map Here

Start from your own material instead of an empty canvas.

Built From Your Files

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file or image, and the AI extracts the key ideas into branches.

Expandable Branches

Expand any node with AI, edit its text, and add detail where your notes are thin.

Study Beyond the Map

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

How to Make a Mind Map Here

Three steps from notes to a study-ready map.

  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 your content into a central idea with main and sub-branches.

  3. 3

    Study, Quiz or Export

    Expand weak branches, take a quiz, then export as PNG or PDF.

Where to Make a Mind Map and Why It Helps

A mind map is a diagram that places one central idea in the middle and grows related ideas outward as branches. Where you make it matters less than the process: you need a tool that can organize your material into clear levels. Good maps show the core topic, its main categories, and the details under each category, so you can see how ideas connect at a glance.

  • Central idea: the main topic placed at the center
  • Main branches: the major categories that split the topic
  • Sub-branches: supporting facts, examples and definitions
  • Connections: links that show how ideas relate across branches

Use the map to plan an essay, revise for an exam or organize a project. Generate your own map with CogniGuide from your notes or a PDF, then refine it as you learn.

Mind Map Questions Answered

Common questions about making mind maps online.

What is the best way to start a mind map?

Write the central topic first, then list the main categories you already know. Add details under each category. A tool that reads your files can do the first draft for you.

Can I make a mind map from a PDF?

Yes. Upload a PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text or Markdown file, or an image, and CogniGuide turns it into an interactive mind map with expandable branches.

Is there a free option?

Yes. The free plan allows 5 creations a week with no payment needed. Paid plans raise those limits.

Can I turn my mind map into a quiz?

Yes. You can turn a map into a quiz to test yourself, and the same notes can become flashcards.