What is Mind Map Maker?

Mind Map Maker is a visual thinking tool that helps you organize ideas, plan projects, and brainstorm solutions. Create structured mind maps with multiple layout options and customize every aspect of your diagram — all directly in your browser, with no account required.

Why Use Mind Maps?

Mind maps mirror how your brain naturally connects ideas. Instead of linear notes, you create a visual web of related concepts that's easier to understand, remember, and share.

Brainstorming

Generate and connect ideas freely without constraints.

Project Planning

Break down complex projects into manageable, structured parts.

Study Notes

Organize information visually for better retention and recall.

Decision Making

Map out options using built-in SWOT analysis templates.

Meeting Notes

Capture discussions and action items in a structured format.

Your Data Stays Private

All processing happens entirely in your browser — nothing is ever sent to a server.

Privacy by design: Your mind maps never leave your device. No uploads, no account needed, and your work is auto-saved locally between sessions.

No uploads — Your mind maps never leave your device
No account needed — Start creating immediately
Auto-saved locally — Your work is preserved between sessions

Table of Contents

1. What is Mind Map Maker?
- 1.1. Why Use Mind Maps?
- 1.2. Your Data Stays Private
2. How to Use Mind Map Maker
3. Features
4. Frequently Asked Questions

How to Use Mind Map Maker

Getting Started

Creating your first mind map takes just seconds. Follow these steps to get up and running:

Start with the Central Topic

Your mind map begins with a Central Topic placed in the middle of the canvas. This is your core idea or subject.

Add Child Topics

Click the central topic, then press Tab to add a child topic branching from it.

Add Sibling Topics

Select any child topic and press Enter to add a sibling topic at the same level.

Edit Topic Text

Double-click any topic to edit its text inline.

Navigating the Canvas

Pan the Canvas

Right-click drag to move around the canvas freely.

Zoom In / Out

Use the scroll wheel to zoom in and out of your map.

Select Multiple Topics

Left-click drag on empty space to draw a rubber-band selection around multiple topics.

Fit to Screen

Click the Fit to Screen button to auto-zoom and show your entire map at once.

Organizing Topics

Drag a topic onto another to move it as a child (reparenting)
Drag the resize handle (bottom-right corner) to change a topic's size
Click the collapse toggle (>) next to a topic to hide its children
Use Auto Layout to automatically arrange all topics

Choosing a Layout

Switch between 4 layout structures from the toolbar to best match your content type:

Mind Map

Balanced left and right branches — ideal for open brainstorming.

Logic Chart

All branches flow to the right — great for logical sequences.

Org Chart

Top-to-bottom hierarchy — perfect for organizational structures.

Tree

Indented vertical list — useful for outlines and structured content.

Using Templates

Start quickly with a pre-built template from the toolbar. Available templates include:

Blank — Start from scratch
Brainstorm — 4 idea branches ready to fill
Project Plan — Planning, team, resources, and deliverables
SWOT Analysis — Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats
Weekly Plan — Monday through Friday structure

Saving and Exporting

Auto-save enabled: Your work is automatically saved to your browser's local storage. No manual saving required.

Export as PNG — High-resolution image for sharing
Export as SVG — Scalable vector for design use
Export as PDF — Print-ready format
Export as JSON — Data backup you can reimport later
Import a previously exported JSON file to restore or transfer your mind map

Features

Mind Map Maker is packed with powerful features designed to support every stage of your thinking process — from quick brainstorming to polished presentations.

Editing Tools

Multiple Layout Structures

Choose from 4 layout types — Mind Map, Logic Chart, Org Chart, and Tree — to match your content. Switch instantly from the toolbar without losing your data.

Drag-and-Drop Editing

Move topics by dragging them to new positions. Drop a topic onto another to reparent it, instantly reorganizing your map's hierarchy. Resize any topic by dragging the corner handle.

Relationships and Groups

Draw relationship lines between any two topics to show connections. Group topics with boundaries (visual frames) or summaries (brace notation). Double-click labels to edit them inline.

Sticky Notes

Add free-floating notes anywhere on the canvas for comments, reminders, or annotations. Drag to reposition, resize with the corner handle, and double-click to edit.

Rich Formatting

Customize each topic with a full range of visual options:

Bold and italic text styling
4 font size options
4 shape styles: rounded, rectangle, capsule, underline
Unlimited colors via the color picker
Priority markers and progress indicators
Flags, star, and heart icons for visual emphasis

Navigation & Focus

Search and Focus

Press Ctrl+F to search across all topics with real-time highlighting and navigation. Use Focus Mode to isolate a single branch and its descendants for concentrated work.

A real-time minimap in the corner shows your entire map at a glance. Click or drag on the minimap to navigate instantly — the viewport rectangle shows exactly what you're currently viewing.

Presentation Mode

Walk through your mind map branch by branch. Each step zooms into the current branch while dimming the rest — perfect for presenting ideas to an audience.

Workspace Tools

Multi-Tab Workspace

Work on multiple mind maps simultaneously with tabs. Create, rename, duplicate, and switch between maps. Each tab preserves its own viewport position and zoom level independently.

Export and Import

Export your mind map as a high-resolution PNG, scalable SVG vector, printable PDF, or JSON data file. Import JSON files to restore previous work or share mind maps between devices.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Speed up your workflow with comprehensive keyboard shortcuts. Press ? to see the full list.

Action	Shortcut
Add child topic	`Tab`
Add sibling topic	`Enter`
Delete topic	`Delete`
Undo / Redo	`Ctrl`+`Z` / `Ctrl`+`Y`
Navigate topics	Arrow keys
Search topics	`Ctrl`+`F`
Show all shortcuts	`?`

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add new topics?

Select a topic and press Tab to add a child topic, or Enter to add a sibling at the same level. You can also right-click anywhere on the canvas to add a free-floating topic.

How do I move a topic to a different branch?

Drag the topic and drop it onto the target parent topic. The dropped topic becomes a child of the target, and its branch color updates automatically to match.

Can I resize topics?

Yes. Hover over any topic and drag the resize handle in the bottom-right corner. The minimum size is 60px wide and 28px tall. Text wraps automatically within resized topics.

How do I pan the canvas?

Hold the right mouse button and drag. You can also hold Space and drag with the left mouse button, or use the middle mouse button to pan.

How do I select multiple topics?

Hold Ctrl and click topics one by one to add them to your selection. Alternatively, drag with the left mouse button on empty canvas space to draw a selection rectangle around multiple topics at once.

Is my data saved automatically?

Yes — all changes are automatically saved to your browser's local storage and persist between sessions. For an external backup, use File → Export as JSON and save the file to your device.

Can I use this on mobile?

Yes, the app works on tablets and phones with full touch support. Pinch to zoom, tap to select topics, and use the toolbar buttons for all operations.

How do I add notes or links to topics?

Click a topic to open the Format Panel on the right side. Scroll down to the Note and Link sections. Notes appear as an icon on the topic, and links open in a new tab when clicked.

What is Zen Mode?

Zen Mode hides the toolbar and hint bar for a distraction-free editing experience. Click the eye icon in the toolbar to toggle it, or press Escape to exit.

How do I present my mind map?

Click the play button on the toolbar to enter Presentation Mode. Use the arrow keys to step through branches one at a time. Each step zooms into the current branch while dimming the rest for a focused, professional presentation.