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CogniGuide

Online Mind Map Drawing Tool for Students

See how a browser mind map is organized into branches, editing tools and exports. Then generate one from your own notes, PDF or slides.

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 the Drawing Tool Gives You

Build a map from your material, then shape it with simple editing and export options.

Maps From Your Files

Upload a PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text or image file and get a structured map without drawing each node by hand.

Editable Branches

Edit node text and expand any branch with AI to add detail, so the map grows as your understanding does.

Study and Share

Export as PNG or PDF, share a link, or turn the same map into a quiz to test yourself.

How to Draw a Mind Map Online

Three steps from raw notes to a map you can edit, study and export.

  1. 1

    Add Your Material

    Upload a file or type a topic into the online mind map tool.

  2. 2

    AI Builds the Map

    The AI organizes the content into a central idea with expandable branches.

  3. 3

    Edit, Expand and Export

    Refine nodes, expand weak branches, then export or quiz yourself on the result.

Using an Online Mind Map Drawing Tool

An online mind map drawing tool lets you lay out a topic as a central idea with branches that split into subtopics and details. A mind map works well because it shows how ideas connect, not just their order. Below is an example of how a typical study topic breaks down into branches you can edit.

  • Central idea: the main topic placed in the middle of the map
  • Main branches: the major subtopics that split the topic into parts
  • Sub-branches: causes, examples, definitions or stages under each branch
  • Details: short facts, dates or terms kept at the outermost level

Use the map to review a topic, spot gaps and plan revision. You can then generate a personalized mind map from your own notes with CogniGuide.

Online Mind Map Drawing Tool Questions

Common questions about drawing and editing mind maps online.

What makes a good mind map layout?

A good layout places one central idea in the middle, with a few main branches and short labels. Keep each branch focused on one subtopic so the structure is easy to scan and revise.

Can you draw a mind map without starting from a blank page?

Yes. You can start from an existing outline or from a topic, then expand and reorganize the branches as you learn more.

Which files can CogniGuide turn into a mind map?

You can upload a PDF, Word (DOCX), PowerPoint (PPTX), text or Markdown file, or an image, or type a topic directly.

Can I turn my online mind map into a quiz?

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