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Mind map maker

Visually capture and organize your thoughts with Lucidchart. Our mind map software makes it easy and intuitive to brainstorm around a central topic and connect supporting ideas.

Create a mind map
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Mind mapping made easy

Use our mind map creator to structure and share ideas on an infinite canvas.

Map your thoughts

Create clean and clearly-designed mind maps with branches that collapse or expand. Leverage AI to generate, expand on, and summarize ideas.

Import and export ideas

Import mind maps from Visio, Gliffy, OmniGraffle, and diagrams.net to continue building on your previous work. You can also import ideas from any TXT file—Lucidchart will help you organize them, and you can export the finished mind map as a PDF, JPEG, or PNG when you’re done.

Share your mind map

Create a shareable URL, or use Presentation Mode to present your mind map to stakeholders. Integrate Lucidchart with popular apps like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Slack to streamline sharing and centralize resources.

Collaborate freely

Cloud-based mind mapping allows you to work with anyone from anywhere, no matter what device, browser, or operating system each person uses.

Start with a mind map template

We’ve created over 1,000 diagramming templates for you to choose from. You can start from scratch or take inspiration from others to get a head start.

Feel secure with Lucidchart

We take your security and privacy seriously, so we maintain PCI, Privacy Shield, and SOC II compliance certifications.
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See why everyone raves about us

Thousands of users have given us five-star reviews on third-party apps like Capterra, G2 and TrustRadius. Try Lucidchart to see what all the fuss is about.

Master the basics of Lucidchart in 3 minutes

Master the basics of Lucidchart in 3 minutes

master the basics of Lucidchart in 5 minutes

  • Create your first mind map from a template or blank canvas.
  • Add shapes, lines, and content to customize your diagram.
  • Style and format your diagram to fit your use case.
  • Use Feature Find within Lucidchart to locate additional shapes and features.
  • Share your diagram with your team to get feedback and continue iterating.
Make a mind map

Mind map templates

Make your own mind map by starting with one of our templates.

Template of a basic mind map

Basic mind map

Go to Basic mind map template

Mind map template

Mind map template

Go to Mind map template template

Template of mind map with lines

Mind map with lines (free)

Go to Mind map with lines (free) template

Lucidchart integrations

Connect Lucidchart to your favorite industry-leading apps.

Lucidchart Integrations

See why teams use Lucidchart as their mind map maker

Diagram, visualize data, and collaborate all in one platform.

Lucidchart collaboration

Collaboration

Use our mind map generator on any device with ease. Lucidchart helps teams collaborate in real time from anywhere in the world. Enhance productivity while working with your team to achieve your goals.
Diagram clarity

Clarity

Lucidchart brings clarity to the complex. Intelligent diagramming allows you to quickly visualize projects and processes from start to finish.
Align shapes on a diagram

Alignment

Drive alignment with your team by collaborating in the same space. Quickly map out processes and ideas together in real time so that you never miss a beat.
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Better together

The Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite transforms the way you work from ideation to project completion. Brainstorm and plan in Lucidspark, then map it out in Lucidchart. Create a living blueprint of your organization.

What is a mind map?

A mind map is a way to capture your thoughts. Start with a central idea, and then create branches from it to related concepts. From there, you can add and connect ideas freely. Mind maps work well for visual thinkers, and the flexible structure enables out-of-the-box brainstorming.

How to make a mind map in Lucidchart

  1. Create your core idea

    The core idea represents what you want to brainstorm about, like a problem you're trying to solve or the goal of a project that you’re planning. Drag a shape from the mind map shape library to your board and add the core idea to it. That shape will remain central as your map grows.

  2. Add parent branches

    Make branches that outline your basic subtopics. Drag a line from your central idea, then choose a shape from the auto-prompt and fill in your subtopic. You can also use the hotkey “Tab” to create and connect your parent branch.

  3. Add child branches and key words

    Create more branches from the subtopics you’ve added. To add more detailed information, use the hotkey “Enter.” Use the hotkey “Z” to collapse and expand the child branches so your mind map stays easy to scan.

  4. Add colors and images

    While not strictly necessary, colors and images help you visually sort and understand your ideas. Using them can make your mind map richer and more helpful to you.

  5. Share your mind map

    Share your mind map online, even with people who don't use Lucidchart. Generate a URL to share the diagram in an app integrated with Lucidchart, embed your diagram in a wiki, or export your diagram and outlines to different file types.

Frequently asked questions about mind maps

Does Lucidchart have a free mind mapping app?
Yes, you can download our app on your mobile device to mind map from anywhere. Our app is available for iOS and Android.
How can I change a shape in a mind map?
From the Lucidchart editor, press M on your keypad or click “Shapes” on the shape menu to open the shape library manager. Next, you'll check the box next to “Mind Mapping.” Lastly, click the “Use Selected Shapes” button at the bottom. Take a look at our Help Center to learn more about changing shapes.
What is a mind map used for?
Use mind mapping to generate, organize, or visualize ideas. You can take notes, solve problems, make decisions, and better understand large ideas or concepts. A mind map is the perfect diagram for brainstorming a subject or issue.
How do I share my mind map with others?
Click the orange Share button on the top right of your screen. Type in the email addresses or names of collaborators, and select which permissions they should have. Finally, click the blue Send button.
What are some keyboard shortcuts I can use?
Use Tab to create child ideas, Enter to create sibling ideas, Z to collapse or expand children ideas, and arrow keys to navigate through your map.
What is the difference between a mind map and a concept map?
While both are diagrams, a mind map displays information while a concept map focuses on displaying the relationships between ideas and concepts. Additionally, a mind map has a radical structure, but a concept map has more of a tree structure with many branches.
What if I have more questions about mind maps?
We have answers. Read through our FAQ section in our Help Center to learn more about mind mapping in Lucidchart.