Mind maps
Mind map maker features
Canva’s mind map maker is ridiculously easy to use. We’ve made the process as simple and intuitive as possible. Choose a template – we’ve got an extensive collection of mind map examples that you can make your own. Then simply click the text to change the labels. Tweak the mind map to your tastes by adjusting the colors, fonts and more.
More than 20 professional types of graphs to choose from
Professionally designed templates to fast-track your workflow
Data visualization made easy – no complicated software to learn
Publish, share or download your high-resolution graph
Embed your mind map in presentations, reports and more with no fuss
Easy drag-and-drop tools, made with the non-designer in mind
How to make a mind map
- Open a document – To get started, log in to your Canva account or sign up for free using your Facebook or Google profile. You can launch Canva on desktop or mobile and pull up a brand new page to start designing in seconds.
- Select a template – Kick off your creation with a professionally designed mind map template. Whether you're giving a presentation to business colleagues, helping students brainstorm, or organizing your ideas for a project, you'll find a beautiful template, ready to go. Filter for color, language, theme or style to get more precise results.
- Add more features and elements – Add shapes, lines, text boxes, icons and other graphics to map out your thoughts. Use Canva’s color palette to color code your design and keep things vibrant. If you’re giving a presentation, you can use the Animate tool to choose how each feature displays itself.
- Customize your design – Rearrange the layout or get inspiration from a different template to adjust the one you’ve chosen, whether it’s adding a different combination of shapes or using a different color scheme. You can swap one background for another, shift side panels from left to right or experiment with fonts.
- Download or share your page – Once you’ve finished your mind map, you can download it, save it as a presentation or post it on LinkedIn, Facebook, Slack, Twitter or any other social media channel. You can even schedule your sharing using Canva’s Content Planner.
Use a mind map to organize complex ideas
Ever feel like you have too many thoughts floating around in your head? Then mapping them out could be just what you need. Mind maps help you to brainstorm, take notes or work through complex problems. This exercise helps bring your ideas to life by creating a visual organization of your thoughts so you can remember, identify correlations, and see the big picture.
With Canva’s free online mind map maker, you can easily create a beautiful mind map design. Our team of amazing designers has created professional templates so you can quickly edit and customize. Just choose the perfect template for you, edit the text, and start mapping your way to your next AHA! moment.
What is a mind map?
A mind map is used to show the different ideas associated with a particular concept. It is a useful tool for brainstorming. The concept is usually shown in the middle, while the different ideas are shown branching off in different directions. So, what is mind mapping?
Mind mapping is the process of creating a mind map. It involves brainstorming to document the different ideas associated with a concept, then placing those ideas onto the mind map itself.
Color code your thoughts and ideas
Mind maps can leap from topic to topic – so keep your thoughts organized by color coding your design. Change a branch or text box color according to the topic they’re assigned to, so you can easily find and connect interrelated ideas. Use Canva’s color palette tool to choose any color in the spectrum, or type in a specific hex code.
Use images, illustrations and icons
Adding visual elements like images and illustrations can help you concentrate more because they help you visualize an idea, which means your brain can process it faster. In fact, we suggest that you use an image for your central idea.
Browse through Canva’s amazing media library of icons, photos, and illustrations to use on your mind map. Search from over a million stock photos and add it to your design by dragging and dropping it into the editor.
Collaborate with your team
Brainstorm with your team anywhere in the world by inviting them to collaborate on your mind map design. It’s as easy as sharing a link to an editable version of your design. Then your team can access your mind map and add their own edits, thoughts and ideas. You can edit any time and from any desktop, laptop, iPhone, iPad or Android device.
Download, share or embed your mind map
When you’re all done, you can download your mind map as a JPEG, PNG or PDF file, share it on your social media, or email it directly to someone.
In fact, you can even embed it on websites or in reports. The options are endless – and always one click away.
Mind map examples
Frequently Asked Questions
Create all kinds of graphs and diagrams
