A free concept map maker where every link says what it means
- Free
- No sign-up
- Works offline
Put the ideas down, label what connects them, then press Present and let the map build the explanation one relationship at a time.
Present reveals your concept map one step at a time, on its own.
A concept map is for a subject where the relationships carry the meaning — not a hierarchy, not a sequence, but a web of ideas that affect each other. Free to build, no account, kept in your browser.
The rule that makes one useful is simple and almost always skipped: every line gets a label. An unlabelled line says two ideas are related; a labelled one says how.
Linking phrases are the whole technique
A concept map is made of concepts (nouns) joined by linking phrases (usually verbs). Read together they form a sentence: interest rate → affects → monthly payment.
That sentence test is the quality check. If you cannot write a linking phrase, you have not understood the connection well enough to draw it — which is exactly why concept mapping is used as a teaching and thinking tool rather than only as a documentation one.
Cross-links — connections between different branches of the map — are where the insight usually is. A map whose links all run neatly outward from the centre is probably a mind map wearing a concept map's clothes.
Concept map or mind map?
A mind map radiates from one central idea and its structure is a tree; it is fast, personal, and good for generating ideas. A concept map is a network with labelled relationships and no required centre; it is slower to draw and better for showing how a system of ideas fits together.
If you are brainstorming, start with a mind map. If you are explaining, or checking whether you actually understand something, draw a concept map.
Present the map as an explanation
A finished concept map shown all at once is intimidating — it is a web, and a reader does not know where to start. Press Present and it builds in an order you choose, one relationship at a time, with narration. The same file becomes a lesson rather than a wall chart.
How to make a concept map, start to export
Open the editor and put down the concepts first, without connecting anything. Then draw the links and label every one. Add cross-links between branches last — they are the connections worth finding. Export a PNG, SVG or PDF, or present it.
Free, private, and offline
Diagramium is free and there is no paid tier. Draw, present and export PNG or SVG without an account; a free account unlocks the animated export formats — GIF, video and animated SVG.
Your diagram is stored in your own browser, not on a server. It keeps working with the network off, and nothing is uploaded unless you choose to publish it.
Frequently asked questions
Is this concept map maker free?
Diagramium is free and there is no paid tier. Draw, present and export PNG or SVG without an account; a free account unlocks the animated export formats — GIF, video and animated SVG.
What is the difference between a concept map and a mind map?
A mind map is a tree radiating from one central idea, with unlabelled branches. A concept map is a network in which every link is labelled with the relationship, so the diagram reads as a set of sentences.
Do I have to label every link?
It is the technique, not a nicety. An unlabelled line only says two ideas are connected; the label says how, which is the information a reader came for.
How many concepts should a map have?
Enough to answer the question and few enough to read — usually fifteen to twenty-five. Past that, split it: one map for the overview, others for the branches that need depth.
Can I use a concept map for teaching?
Yes, and Present mode is built for it: reveal one relationship at a time with narration, then export the walkthrough as a video or animated GIF for students to replay.
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