How to create mind maps with AI

An AI mind map turns a topic, a document or a long PDF into a visual diagram of connected ideas, in seconds, without drawing it by hand. In this guide you’ll learn two free ways to do it: from documents you already have (with NotebookLM) and from a blank idea (with Whimsical).

Tap each step to open and follow it.

1 Choose your starting point

Before opening a tool, decide what you have:

I already have material (a PDF, my notes, an article, a YouTube video): use NotebookLM (Step 2). The AI reads the material and builds the map for you.
I’m starting from a blank idea (a brainstorm, a plan, a presentation): use Whimsical (Step 4). You describe the topic and it generates the first version of the map.

You can use both: build the map from your material in NotebookLM, then move it into Whimsical if you want to edit it by hand.

2 Create the mind map in NotebookLM

Go to https://notebooklm.google.com and sign in with your Google account (it’s free).
Create a new notebook and upload your sources: drag in the PDF, paste an article or YouTube link, or paste text directly.
Wait for NotebookLM to finish processing the sources (a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on size).
In the Studio panel, find the “Mind Map” button and click it.
Within seconds a diagram appears with the central topic in the middle and the main ideas branching outward, like the branches of a tree.

3 Explore and expand the map

NotebookLM’s map isn’t a static image, it’s interactive:

Click any node to expand that branch and see more detailed subtopics.
Click and drag to move around the map; use your mouse wheel (or pinch on mobile) to zoom in or out.
If a node interests you, you can ask NotebookLM directly about that specific topic from the chat, and it answers citing the exact source.
To save it, export the map as an image from the Studio’s options menu.

4 Create a mind map from scratch with Whimsical

Go to https://whimsical.com and create a free account.
Create a new board and choose “Mind Map” from the diagram type menu.
Look for the AI icon (wand or star) inside the editor.
Describe your topic in one sentence: for example “Launch plan for a digital product, covering marketing, sales and support”.
Whimsical generates the first version of the map with the main branches. From there, edit by hand: add nodes with Enter, drag them to reorder, change colors from the right-hand panel.

Whimsical’s free plan comes with 100 lifetime AI actions (not monthly), so it’s enough for several maps before you’d need a paid plan.

Shortcut: a text mind map with Claude or ChatGPT

If you just want to organize ideas quickly, without a visual diagram yet, ask Claude or ChatGPT:

Organize this topic as a mind map using a nested bullet list
(central topic, 3-5 main branches, 2-3 sub-branches each):
[PASTE YOUR TOPIC OR TEXT HERE]

Copy that nested list and paste it directly into Whimsical or tools like Markmap: many mind map editors convert indented lists into a diagram automatically.

If something goes wrong

Problem	Fix
I don’t see the “Mind Map” button in NotebookLM	Make sure you’ve uploaded at least one source and waited for it to finish processing
The Whimsical map came out too generic	Be more specific in your description: name the categories you want as branches
I ran out of free AI actions in Whimsical	You can keep building maps by hand without AI, or use the text shortcut with Claude/ChatGPT
The PDF is too long and takes a while to process	Split it into shorter parts, or upload just the chapter you’re interested in

If you’re using this to study, combine it with your second brain in NotebookLM to save and connect all your sources in one place, or with how to summarize long texts with AI when the document is too long to read in full before mapping it.

Prices in USD and subject to change; always confirm on each tool’s official page.

Frequently asked questions

Is creating mind maps with AI free?

Yes. NotebookLM is free with your Google account and generates unlimited mind maps from your documents. Whimsical has a free plan with 100 lifetime AI actions, enough for several mind maps from scratch.

What's the difference between NotebookLM and Whimsical for this?

NotebookLM starts from documents you already have (a PDF, notes, a YouTube video) and organizes their content into a map. Whimsical starts from an idea or short text you type yourself, and is better if you want to edit the map by hand afterward.

Can I edit the mind map after it's generated?

In Whimsical, yes, you can move, add and delete nodes like in any visual editor. In NotebookLM the map is interactive (you can expand or collapse branches and ask it questions) but it isn't hand-edited; for that, export the idea to Whimsical.

Does it work for studying for an exam?

Yes, it's one of the best uses: upload your notes or the topic's PDF to NotebookLM and the map shows you at a glance how the concepts connect. If you want to go further, combine it with review flashcards.

Do I need design skills for it to look good?

No. Both tools arrange the map automatically (colors, spacing, hierarchy); you just provide the content.