1. What does this tool do
This free online mind map tool lets you create and edit mind maps in your browser—no account, no upload. Use it for mind map maker, brainstorming, or idea map to plan projects or organize ideas visually. Add nodes and branches, pan and zoom, then export as PNG or JSON. Your work is saved as a draft so you can pick up where you left off. Everything runs in your browser so your data stays private. Ideal for brainstorming, project planning, study notes, meeting notes, or outlining.
2. How to use it
Quick start: Start with the default root node, add child nodes (right-click or +), double-click to edit labels, pan (drag canvas) and zoom (wheel), then export JSON or PNG. Import JSON to load a saved map.
- Start — A default root node ("Central Idea") appears. Click it to select.
- Add child nodes — Right-click a node and choose Add child, or select a node and click the + button in the toolbar.
- Edit node text — Double-click a node to edit its label. Press Enter to save or Escape to cancel.
- Expand or collapse — Nodes with children show a +/- control. Click it to expand or collapse the branch.
- Pan and zoom — Click and drag the canvas background to pan. Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.
- Delete nodes — Right-click a node and choose Delete, or select a node and press Delete or Backspace.
- Export — Use Export JSON to download for re-import later. Use Export PNG to download an image.
- Import — Click Import JSON to load a previously exported mind map from a file.
3. How it works
The mind map is stored as a tree of nodes. Each node has an id, label, and list of children. The layout algorithm positions nodes horizontally: root on the left, children to the right, siblings stacked vertically. Connectors are Bézier curves. Pan and zoom use CSS transforms. PNG export uses dom-to-image. JSON import/export uses the File API—no upload. Drafts are saved to localStorage when the map changes. All computation runs entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server.
4. Use cases & examples
- Brainstorming — Capture ideas quickly and connect related concepts.
- Project planning — Break down a project into tasks and subtasks.
- Study notes — Organize topics and relationships for review.
- Meeting notes — Structure discussions and action items.
- Outlining — Build hierarchies of headings and content.
Example
Start with "Central Idea" as the root. Add children "Topic A" and "Topic B". Add a child "Detail 1" under "Topic A". The map shows: Central Idea → Topic A → Detail 1, and Central Idea → Topic B.
5. Limitations & known constraints
- Node limit — Very large mind maps (hundreds of nodes) may slow layout and rendering.
- No cloud sync — Drafts stay in localStorage on the device; clearing site data removes them.
- Single map — One mind map per browser; importing replaces the current map.
- Export PNG — Captures the full layout at export time; pan/zoom position is not preserved in the image.