Concept map maker

Link ideas with verbs, not just lines. Select an idea to label the line above it, or press Link to connect any two ideas across branches. Every link reads as a sentence.

driven bystarts withformsreturns asfeedssoaks intoWater cycleSunEvaporationCloudsPrecipitationRiversGroundwater

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How to make a concept map

  1. Write a focus question. Put it (or the main concept) at the top. “How does the water cycle work?” beats just “Water”.
  2. List 10–20 key concepts. Nouns, mostly: Sun, evaporation, clouds. Put the most general near the top.
  3. Connect with linking words. Label every line with a verb phrase: “drives”, “forms”, “is part of”. If you can’t name the link, question whether it exists.
  4. Add cross-links. These join ideas on different branches and are where real understanding shows. Use the Link button.
  5. Read it back as sentences. Export to Markdown to get every proposition as a line of text, then check each one is true.

Concept map or mind map?

Use a concept map when the relationships are the point: science processes, causes and effects, systems. Use a mind map when you want to brainstorm or summarise quickly from one central idea. The full comparison has an interactive side-by-side.

Good linking words to try

  • causes
  • leads to
  • requires
  • is part of
  • is a type of
  • produces
  • depends on
  • contrasts with
  • is measured by
  • results in

Questions people ask

What is a concept map?

A concept map is a diagram of ideas (concepts) joined by labelled lines. Each concept–link–concept triple reads as a sentence, such as “Sun → drives → Evaporation”. Educational researcher Joseph Novak developed the method at Cornell in the 1970s.

How do I label the lines?

Select an idea and type in the “Line label” box under the canvas; it labels the line from its parent. For cross-links between any two ideas, select one, press Link, tap the other, then name the link.

What is a focus question?

Novak recommends starting a concept map from a question the map should answer, such as “How does the water cycle work?”. It keeps the map on topic and tells you when it’s done.

Can I export a concept map?

Yes: PNG, SVG, PDF, JSON or Markdown. The Markdown export lists every cross-link as a sentence, handy for revision notes.