This question comes from a reader of the Notion course. It has been organized and shared here. If you encounter similar issues while using Notion, feel free to leave a comment.
Drawing Mind Maps with Mermaid
You can use code blocks with the Mermaid language to create simple mind maps in Notion. However, drawing mind maps with Mermaid is overly complicated and cumbersome, so I don't recommend this approach — it will likely make the scattered thoughts you're trying to organize even more fragmented.
If you're just curious and want to explore it, you can visit Mermaid's official website to learn more.
Of course, you can also start by organizing your thoughts with bullet points, and then have Notion AI convert the outline into a Mermaid mind map format:
Embedding Online Mind Map Tools
At this stage, if you really want to include mind maps in Notion, the most practical approach is to create one using an online mind mapping tool that supports publishing, and then embed it into Notion, like this:
Here are the 3 tools I currently recommend:
- Draw.io
- Whimsical
- Coggle
Draw.io + Google Drive
Draw.io is a very well-known, completely free online diagramming software. It can create almost any type of flowchart, mind map, or organizational chart, and can replace many paid products for everyday use.
When you first log in to Draw.io, it will ask you to choose a storage location for your files. This means it only handles online diagramming and does not store files itself. If you're only using it locally, you can choose to store files on your "Device." However, if you want to embed files into Notion, you need to select Google Drive as the storage location:
Once you enter the drawing panel, you can find the mind map module in the "Advanced" section of the left sidebar menu. Drag this module onto the canvas to start creating your mind map:
After finishing your mind map, click the "Share" button in the top right corner, then open the file in Google Drive to get a link that can be embedded into Notion:
The embedded result looks like this — it's not the most visually appealing, but it's simple and free:
Whimsical
Whimsical is also an excellent mind mapping and online whiteboard tool. Its free plan already allows you to create an unlimited number of files, with only a limit of 3 collaborative boards, so it has virtually no impact on personal use. The subscription costs $10 per month and unlocks more features for team collaboration.
After creating your mind map, generate a share link, and then paste the link directly into a Notion page — it will be automatically recognized and display a preview:
Coggle
Coggle allows free users to create an unlimited number of diagrams, but these diagrams are public and may be indexed by search engines. With the free plan, you can only create 3 private diagrams. The paid plan costs $5 per month ($50 per year) and unlocks unlimited private diagrams.
📘 FLO.W — Notion Personal Management System
FLO.W is a Notion-based personal management template that integrates tasks, notes, projects, habits, and more, complete with comprehensive tutorials.
