Free mind map maker
Type an idea, press Tab to branch, Enter for the next one.Tap an idea, then use the buttons under the map to branch. No signup, nothing uploaded: maps save in this browser and export to PNG, SVG, PDF or Markdown.
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How to create a mind map online
- Name the centre. Select the central idea and just start typing. Keep it to a few words: a topic, a question or a goal.
- Branch out with Tab. Each main branch is one theme. Press Tab for a new branch and Enter to add the next one beside it. Every main branch gets its own line colour.
- Go deeper, keep it short. Add details under each branch. One keyword or short phrase per idea keeps the map scannable.
- Rearrange and connect. Drag ideas onto a new parent, collapse finished branches with Space, and use Link to draw a labelled cross-connection between any two ideas.
- Style and export. Switch between balanced, right-hand, tree and radial layouts and 12 themes, then export a PNG for slides, a PDF for printing or Markdown for your notes.
What makes it fast
Keyboard first
Every action has a key, so you can think at typing speed. All shortcuts.
Metro-line branches
Branches are drawn like transit lines, so each theme reads as one route from the centre out. Prefer curves or straight lines? Switch in one tap.
AI when you’re stuck
Select any idea and press Suggest ideas for fresh sub-branches, or generate a whole map from a topic or your notes.
Private by default
No signup, no cloud. Maps live in your browser’s storage until you export or clear them. Details.
Other diagram makers on the same canvas
Questions people ask
Is MindMapFlow really free?
Yes. Every feature, all 12 themes and every export format are free, with no signup, trial or watermark. The optional AI suggestions are free too, with a fair-use limit per minute.
Where are my mind maps saved?
In your own browser’s local storage, on this device. They are never uploaded to a server. Export to JSON to back a map up or move it to another device, and use “Clear all saved data” in the Maps panel to wipe everything.
Can I export my mind map to PDF?
Yes. Open Export and choose PDF: the map is fitted onto an A4 page (landscape or portrait to suit its shape). PNG, SVG, Markdown and JSON are there too.
Does it work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. Tap an idea to select it, use the buttons under the canvas to add children and siblings, drag with one finger to pan and pinch to zoom. Full screen mode gives you the whole screen.
Can I make a mind map with just the keyboard?
That’s what it’s designed for. Tab adds a child, Enter adds a sibling, arrow keys move around and typing renames the selected idea. The full list is on the keyboard shortcuts page.
What are the 7 steps to create a mind map?
Tony Buzan’s classic method: 1) start in the centre of a blank landscape page, 2) use an image or a few words for the central idea, 3) use colours throughout, 4) connect main branches to the centre, 5) make branches curved rather than straight, 6) use one keyword per line, and 7) use images throughout. In the editor, steps 3–6 happen automatically.
What are the main types of mind maps?
The usual three are the classic mind map (themes radiating from one centre), the concept map (a network of labelled links) and the tree or hierarchy map (top-down levels). Spider diagrams, bubble maps and the eight thinking maps are close relatives. Every one of them can be made here.
Can ChatGPT create mind maps?
Chatbots write mind maps as text outlines, not as diagrams. Paste that outline into “Text to mind map” to draw it, or use the built-in AI mind map generator, which goes straight from a topic to an editable map.
What is the best free mind map maker?
It depends on the job. For quick, private maps with no account, a browser tool like this one is fastest: open the page and type. If you need real-time collaboration or cloud sync across devices, tools that require an account (Miro, MindMeister, Canva, Coggle) are built for that. MindMapFlow keeps every feature and export free and stores maps only in your browser.
Can I create a mind map online for free without signing up?
Yes. Everything on this page works without an account: the editor, 12 themes, 4 layouts, AI suggestions within a fair-use limit, and PNG, SVG, PDF, Markdown and JSON export. There is no watermark.
Does Google have a mind map app?
Google doesn’t make a dedicated mind mapping app. People draw mind maps in Google Drawings, Docs or Slides with shapes and lines, or use add-ons from the Google Workspace Marketplace. A quicker route is to build the map here and insert the exported PNG or SVG into your Doc or Slide.
How do I share a mind map?
Open Export and choose “Copy share link”. The link carries the map’s text inside it, so whoever opens it gets their own editable copy, with nothing stored on a server. For a fixed picture, export a PNG or PDF instead.
How do I move a branch?
Drag an idea and drop it on its new parent. Alt+↑ and Alt+↓ reorder ideas among their siblings.