The Simplest Flowchart Maker

Create your flowcharts in minutes with the easiest flow chart creator.
flowchart maker
Trusted by +1.6 million users worldwide
applegooglelinkedinspotifyfacebookatlassian
Zen Flowchart Smart Connectors

1-click creation

Create a new node with a single click, or link separate nodes easily with smart connectors. Your flowchart is just clicks away!

Easy as drag & drop

Our shape library and flowchart templates offer all flowchart symbols and countless shapes, so you can build all kinds of diagrams.
flowchart symbols
flow chart creator

Minimal & intuitive interface

To make flow charts more accessible, we stripped away all complicated and unnecessary features from our free flowchart creator. The result is a thoughtfully simple, yet fully capable interface.

1-click styling

Customize your chart with simple styling options: pick a node color, style your texts or your lines. Get creative with our free flowchart maker!
online flowchart maker
flowchart maker

Collaborate
in real-time

Invite team members and clients to view, comment, or edit your work. Whenever ready, export or publish your interactive flowchart to a shared link which automatically updates any changes you make.
Testimonials

Online flowchart maker of choice.

staricon staricon staricon staricon star
“This is so simple, so timely, so beautiful.”
Lincoln D.
Operations Manager
icon staricon staricon staricon staricon star
“Just signed up and upgraded. So clean, easy to use.”
Kim D.
Product Manager
icon staricon staricon staricon staricon star
"Amazing UX! I've always been frustrated with flowchart tools. This one is a pleasure to use!"
Fernanda G.
Founder

What is a Flowchart?

In simple terms, flowchart or flow chart, is a type of diagram that describe processes. These diagrams compose of blocks, often rectangular, connected by arrows. The blocks contain information of a step in a process. In such way, flow charts help keep the information of a process clear and concise.

Learn more about Flowchart's History, Tutorial, Symbols, Tools, Flow Chart Creator, Free Online Flowchart Maker, Flowchart Software, Flowchart Examples, Flowchart Templates and much more in our Comprehensive Flowchart Guide.

hiring process flowchart
Hiring Process Flowchart

History of Flowcharts

It is not clear who was the true inventor of flowcharts, but the first standardized documentation on flow chart was first introduced by Frank and Lillian Gilbreth. In 1921, the couple presented the graphic-based method in a presentation titled: “Process Charts: First Steps in Finding the One Best Way to do Work”, to members of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

After that, in 1930s, Allan H. Mogensen, an industrial engineer trained some participants in his Work Simplification Conferences in New York. Participants from this conference such as Art Spinanger and Ben Grahamthen began to use flowchart in their respective fields, which helped propagate the usage of flowchart.

In the year 1949, flowchart began to be used for planning computer programs and quickly became one of the most popular tools in designing computer algorithms and programs. Nowadays, flow chart is an important productivity tool, serving employees in various industries and functions.

What a Flowchart is Used For?

Flowchart is a very versatile tool that can be used to:

  • Document a process
  • Present a solution
  • Brainstorm an idea
  • Design a system
  • Explain a decision making process
  • Store information

Our Online Free Flowchart Maker

Zen Flowchart is the simplest online software to create flowcharts, flow chart, org charts, process charts, sitemaps, and more. With a minimal and intuitive user interface, creating professional flowcharts and diagrams with our online flowchart maker / flowchart generator is easy and delightful. Our simple free flowchart maker also has Export and Publish features, which allow users to easily share their work. Try our free flowchart creator now!

How to use Zen Flowchart?

At Zen Flowchart, we pride ourselves in having the most intuitive, easy-to-use flow chart maker / generator on the market. And as such, we hope you’ll be able to create flow charts with our flowchart tool without much help. However, here’s a quick guide on the main features to get you started. Let us know if you have any issues by emailing us at help@zenflowchart.com

Flowchart Templates & Exemples

Zen Flowchart offers ready-made free flowchart templates that let you create flow chart with just 1 click. To use any flowchart template, log in to your Zen Flowchart, click on Templates > Hover over the flowchart template you would like to use > Then click on "Use Template".

How to Make a Flowchart?

Step 1: Map out major steps in a flowchart maker

Start with a piece of paper, or a free flow chart creator like Zen Flowchart with ready-made flowchart templates. Next, draw several major blocks that represent the most important steps in your process. Don’t worry about the details for now. Because flow charts are read left to right and top to bottom, start your first node at the top left corner of your workspace.

Step 2: Key in details of your flowchart

Fill in the remaining steps. We recommend working in the natural order of the process. An optional step here is to style your chart with different shapes and color to make it easier to follow.

Step 3: Test your chart

Work through all the steps in your chart to make sure they are clear and exhaustive, and that there is no open-ended node remained.

Step 4: Gather feedback & share with an online flow chart creator

Share a draft of the flowchart and get feedback from the intended users to improve upon it. Flowcharts should be made easily accessible to all parties involved. So make sure you publish your work in the right place. Our online interactive flowchart maker Zen Flowchart has a handy publishing feature, which allows you to publish and share your flowcharts. Any future updates you make to the document will automatically be updated.

git system flowchart
Git System Flowchart

Flowchart Symbols & Components

Flowchart is a very intuitive method to describe processes. As such, in most cases, you don’t need to worry too much about the standards and rules of all the flow chart symbols. In fact, a simple flowchart, constructed with just rectangular blocks and flowlines, can already get most jobs done.

However, if you want to get technical and precise, there are preset rules and standards you can follow. Specifically, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) set standards for flowcharts and their symbols in the 1960s. Afterwards, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) adopted the ANSI symbols in 1970. In general, flowcharts flow from top to bottom and left to right. For a full list of flowchart symbols, read our Flowchart Symbols Guide.

1. Flowline: Shows the process’ direction. Each flowline connects two blocks.
2. Terminal: Indicates the beginning or end of a flowchart
3. Process: Represent a step in a process. This is the most common flowchart symbol.
4. Decision: Shows a step that decides the next step in a process. This is commonly a yes/no or true/false question.
5. Input / Output: Indicates the process of inputting or outputting external data.
‍6. Annotation / Comment: Indicates additional information regarding a step in a process.
‍7. Predefined Process: Shows named process which is defined elsewhere.
‍8. On-page Connector: Pairs of on-page connecter are used to replace long lines on a flowchart page.
‍9. Off-page Connector: An off-page connector is used when the target is on another page.
‍10. Delay: Any delay period that is part of a process
‍11. Alternate Process: An alternate to the normal process step. Flow lines to an alternate process block is usually dashed.
‍12. Data: Data input or output
‍13. Document: A document
‍14. Multi-document: Multiple documents
‍15. Preparation: A preparation step
‍16. Display: A machine display
‍17. Manual Input: Data or information into a system
‍18. Manual Operation: A process step that isn’t automated.

Flowchart - FAQs

What is a Flowchart?
caret
Flowchart (or flow chart) is a type of diagram that describe processes. These diagrams compose of blocks, often rectangular, connected by arrows. The blocks contain information of a step in a process in a concise manner.
How to create a Flowchart?
caret
Follow 4 simple steps to create a flowchart:
1. Map out major steps: Start sketching several major rectangles that represent the most important steps in your process. Don’t worry about the details for now.
2. Key in details: Fill in the remaining steps. We recommend working through in the natural order of the process.
3. Test your result: Work through all the steps in your chart to make sure they are clear and exhaustive.
4. Gather feedback & share: Share a draft of the flowchart and get feedback from the intended users. It’s important to get their feedback to make sure that your flowchart is accurate and helpful.
It's very easy to generate flowcharts with a flowchart generator tool like Zen Flowchart.
What is a Flowchart used for?
caret
Flowchart is a very versatile tool that can be used to:
- Document a process
- Present a solution
- Brainstorm an idea
- Design a system
- Explain a decision making process
- Store information
What are the Basic Symbols of a Flowchart?
caret
The top 4 main flowchart symbols are:
- Process: Represents a step in a process. This is the most common component of a flowchart.
- Terminal: Indicates the beginning or end of a flowchart
- Flowline: Shows the process’ direction. Each flowline connects two blocks.
- Decision: Shows a step that decides the next step in a process. This is commonly a yes/no or true/false question.
What are some Types of Flowcharts?
caret
These are several types or variations of flowcharts:
- Process Flowchart
- Data Flow Diagram
- Swimlane Flowchart
- EPC Diagram
- SDL Diagram
- UML Diagram
What makes a good flowchart maker?
caret
A good flowchart maker needs to meet several criteria:
- Easy to use, ideally with drag & drop feature
- Support of all common flowchart symbols
- Ability to customize styling
- Easy to share
- Export features
- Live collaboration
What is the best free flowchart maker?
caret
The best free flowchart maker is Zen Flowchart. To view the full list, read our 11 Best Flowchart Makers Guide.
How do I create a flowchart in Word?
caret
Creating a flowchart in Word is somewhat inconvenient, but possible. You can create a flowchart in Word using regular shapes or SmartArt object library. Read our guide on How to make a flowchart in Word for a detailed tutorial.
Does Google have a flow chart maker?
caret
Google does not have a dedicated flow chart maker, but you can create flowcharts in Google Docs fairly easily with their Drawing feature. Read our guide How to make a flowchart in Google Doc for a detailed tutorial.
Where can I make a flow chart for free?
caret
There are many tools to create flow chart for free. Zen Flowchart is our favorite free flowchart maker. Diagrams.net is also a good alternative, but does not have any sharing features. For detailed reviews of top flowchart software, read our guide here.

Flowchart Guides