TryMermaid

Mermaid Mind Map Maker

Write mind maps in Mermaid code and watch them render as you type. Start from the example below, then export PNG or SVG, share a link or embed the diagram.

Updated · Code editor with live preview

Mind map example

Rendering preview…

mindmap
  root((Product launch))
    Marketing
      Blog post
      Newsletter
    Engineering
      Feature freeze
      Release notes
    Support
      FAQ update
Open this example in the editor Start a blank diagram

What is a mind map?

A mind map arranges ideas around one central topic as a tree of branches and sub-branches. It is useful for brainstorming, outlining and note-taking. In Mermaid a mind map starts with the mindmap keyword, and indentation decides which idea belongs under which.

When to use a mind map

  • Brainstorming features or content ideas
  • Outlining a document, talk or course
  • Breaking a project into workstreams
  • Study notes and summaries

How to make a mind map in Mermaid

  1. Step 1

    Open the editor

    Open TryMermaid with the example on this page, or start a new diagram with mindmap on the first line.

  2. Step 2

    Set the central topic

    On the next line, indent once and write the root, for example root((Product launch)). The double parentheses draw it as a circle.

  3. Step 3

    Add branches

    Indent further for each level. Every line indented under another becomes its child, so the structure is just an indented outline.

  4. Step 4

    Style and export

    Give important nodes a shape, such as [square] or (rounded), then export PNG or SVG or share a link.

Mind map syntax cheat sheet

ElementSyntaxWhat it does
HierarchyIndentationDeeper indentation makes a child
Squareid[Text]Square node
Roundedid(Text)Rounded square node
Circleid((Text))Circle node
Bangid))Text((Explosion shape
Cloudid)Text(Cloud shape
Hexagonid{{Text}}Hexagon node
Icon::icon(fa fa-book)Icon on the node above

Mind map FAQ

How does Mermaid decide the structure of a mind map?

By indentation. Each line indented further than the line above becomes its child, and lines at the same indentation are siblings. Keep the indentation consistent so the tree renders the way you expect.

Can I turn a mind map into a document outline?

Yes. Because a Mermaid mind map is an indented list, you can draft an outline as a mind map and paste the text into a document as nested bullet points, or go the other way.

Other Mermaid diagram types