Concept map maker
Type an indented outline and watch it become a concept map. Add a linking phrase to each line so every connection reads as a statement you can check.
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How to make a concept map that helps you learn
Joseph Novak and his team at Cornell University developed concept maps in 1972 to track how children’s understanding of science changed. The key idea is the proposition: two concepts joined by a labelled link. "Calvin cycle makes glucose" is a proposition. A line with no label is just a guess that two things are related.
- Start with a focus question, such as "How does photosynthesis work?", and put the main concept at the root.
- List 10 to 20 concepts from your notes. Nouns, not sentences.
- Order from general to specific and nest them in the outline box.
- Label every link. If you cannot think of the verb, you have found a gap in your understanding.
- Look for cross-links between branches. Novak considered these the sign of real understanding; note them beside the map or add a branch that points back.
Concept mapping is one of the five approaches on the note-taking methods page, where the same lecture is shown as an outline, a Cornell page and a map.
Questions students ask
How do I make a concept map from my notes?
Type or paste an indented list: the main concept on the first line, sub-concepts indented two spaces beneath it, and so on. The map redraws as you type. Add a linking phrase after a | sign, for example "Chlorophyll | absorbs", to label the connecting line.
What is the difference between a concept map and a mind map?
A mind map radiates keywords from one central idea. A concept map, developed by Joseph Novak at Cornell in the 1970s, labels each connection with a linking phrase so that every line reads as a statement ("photosynthesis produces glucose"). Those propositions are what makes a concept map useful for checking understanding.
Can I download the concept map?
Yes, as an SVG (sharp at any size, editable in Figma, Inkscape or PowerPoint) or as a PNG image for slides and documents.
Can I start from messy notes?
Yes. Run the notes through the outline generator first; its "Draw concept map" button sends the outline straight here.