May 17, 2026Updated July 18, 2026 5 min readFreeFlowCharts Team

Free Mind Map Maker: Radial Brainstorming in Your Browser

FreeFlowCharts now includes a free mind map editor. Radial auto-layout, branch coloring, templates, and API support — brainstorm visually without installing anything.

mind-map brainstorming new-feature radial-layout api

Mind mapping is one of the oldest and most effective brainstorming techniques. You start with a central idea, branch out into subtopics, and keep expanding until the full picture emerges. We've added a free mind map editor to FreeFlowCharts — no signup, no download, just open and start branching.

What is a mind map?

A mind map is a radial diagram with a central topic at the center and branches radiating outward. Each branch can have sub-branches, creating a tree-like structure that mirrors how ideas naturally connect. Unlike linear notes, mind maps let you see relationships and hierarchies at a glance.

Common uses for mind maps:

Brainstorming: — generate and organize ideas quickly

Study notes: — break down complex subjects into visual chunks

Project planning: — map features, tasks, and dependencies

Meeting notes: — capture discussions in a structured, visual format

Content outlines: — plan blog posts, presentations, or documentation

How the editor works

Open freeflowcharts.app/mindmap and you'll see a ready-made template. Click any node to select it, then use the sidebar to edit its label, change its parent, or pick a color. Add new ideas with the "Add Idea" button — they attach to whichever node is currently selected. Delete nodes and their orphaned children get promoted to roots.

The layout is fully automatic. Every time you add, remove, or re-parent a node, the radial layout recalculates so nothing overlaps. Root nodes sit at the center; branches fan outward with decreasing radius at each depth level.

Templates included

Project Planning: — central project node with Research, Design, Development, and Testing branches, each with their own sub-topics

Study Notes: — a Biology example with Cells, Genetics, and Ecology branches broken into specific concepts

Export and API

Export to PNG or JSON from the editor. Or use the API:

curl -X POST https://freeflowcharts.app/api/create-mindmap \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"title":"My Ideas","nodes":[{"id":"1","label":"Main"},{"id":"2","label":"Branch A","parentId":"1"},{"id":"3","label":"Branch B","parentId":"1"}]}'

The API auto-lays out nodes radially, stores the mind map in Firestore, and returns a shareable link. Export endpoints at /api/export-mindmap/json and /api/export-mindmap/svg give you structured data or a rendered SVG.

Why we built it

Mind maps are one of the most-searched diagram types after flowcharts. Adding a dedicated editor — with its own URL, metadata, and API — gives FreeFlowCharts more depth as a diagramming platform. Every chart type gets its own page, its own SEO presence, and its own API surface.

Try it at freeflowcharts.app/mindmap. No account needed.