Relationship Map Maker
See how everyone connects at a glance
Build a relationship map or relationship graph for characters, factions, family branches, or TTRPG networks on one canvas. Use labeled lines and colors to show different relationships, then export the result as PNG — no sign-up required.
Nothing uploaded to a server — suitable for unpublished drafts and private family or team data
What is a relationship map?
A relationship map is a diagram that shows how people, characters, or organizations connect to one another. Each entity is drawn as a node, and lines or labeled arrows represent the relationship between them — friend, rival, mentor, married, reports to, allied with.
For example, a character map can place a protagonist between two rival factions, a family map can connect maternal and paternal branches through a marriage, and a TTRPG map can show which NPC secretly serves one faction while owing another a favor. The finished map makes clusters, central figures, and cross-group connections visible at a glance.
A relationship chart is the broad category; a relationship map puts more emphasis on the shape of a multi-group network. If you only need a simple general chart, use the relationship chart maker. Use this map workflow when you need to compare several relationship types, factions, or family branches on the same canvas.
Relationship maps for stories, families, and campaigns
✍️ Novelists & manga creators
Keep track of a growing cast — who's related, who's allied, who's a rival — without flipping back through chapters.
🎲 TTRPG game masters
Map NPCs, factions, and their shifting alliances across a campaign so nothing gets lost between sessions.
👨👩👧👦 Families
Document relatives, in-laws, and how extended family connects — handy for reunions, genealogy notes, or introducing new members.
🎬 Fans & hobbyists
Build a fan-made relationship map for a show, game, or franchise to share with a community.
Need a more specific workflow? Plan a cast with the character relationship chart guide, map PCs and factions with the TTRPG relationship map guide, or begin with editable relationship chart templates.
Build a relationship map in 4 steps
Add people or entities
Enter names and pick colors — for example, one color per family branch, faction, or team.
Draw the connections
Connect entities with lines or arrows. Label each one (friend, rival, married, reports to) so the meaning is clear at a glance.
Arrange for clarity
Drag central figures toward the middle and looser connections to the edge, or use Auto Arrange for a quick readable layout.
Export and share
Save as PNG for reference sheets, story bibles, or presentations. The map auto-saves in your browser so you can keep updating it.
How to read a relationship map
- Hubs — nodes with many connections. These characters or people sit at the center of the network and drive the plot or the group's dynamics.
- Isolated nodes — entities with few connections. Worth checking whether that's intentional (a lone-wolf character) or a gap to fill in.
- Clusters — groups densely connected internally but loosely tied to the rest, like a family branch or a faction.
- Labeled lines — the relationship type on each connection (rival, mentor, married) is often more useful than the connection itself.
- Bridges — the few entities connected to multiple clusters. They tie separate storylines, families, or teams together.
Why this tool for relationship maps?
- Privacy first. All data stays in your browser's local storage — nothing is uploaded. Unpublished story drafts and private family or team data never leave your device.
- Labeled connections built in. Naming the relationship on each line is one click here — no fighting a generic flowchart tool.
- Fast enough for a real cast. A 20-person relationship map takes about 15 minutes from list to exported image.
- Free where it matters. The editor and HD PNG export are free. Premium ($19.99 lifetime) adds larger charts, watermark-free export, and PDF output for formal reports.
FAQ
What is a relationship map?
A relationship map is a diagram that shows how people, characters, or organizations connect to one another — friends, family, allies, rivals, reporting lines, or partnerships. Each entity is a node, and lines or labeled arrows show how they relate. Writers, game masters, families, and teams use relationship maps to keep complex connections clear and easy to reference.
Is this relationship map maker really free?
Yes. The core editor is free with no sign-up: add people or entities, draw labeled connection lines, and export an HD PNG at no cost. Premium adds 7+ people per chart, watermark-free export, and PDF export.
What is the difference between a relationship map and a relationship chart?
A relationship chart is the broad term for a diagram of connections. A relationship map emphasizes the shape of a multi-group network — for example, how characters, factions, or family branches connect through hubs, clusters, and bridges. Use the general relationship chart maker for a simple chart, and this map workflow when the whole network matters.
Can I make a character relationship map?
Yes. Add the main cast, color-code characters by faction or family, and label lines such as allies, rivals, siblings, mentors, or exes. For a writing-specific workflow, see the character relationship chart guide.
Can I start from a template?
Yes. Start with a character, family, TTRPG, or team template, then replace the names, relationship labels, colors, and layout with your own network.
Can I show different kinds of relationships?
Yes. Label each line with the relationship type (friend, rival, mentor, reports to, married) and color-code connections or groups so the map stays readable even with many people.
Is my data private?
All data is stored locally in your own browser and is never uploaded to a server. This makes the tool suitable for unpublished story drafts, personal family information, and internal team structures.
How many people can I map?
The free plan supports up to 6 people per map, and Premium supports 7 or more people for larger maps. For readability, group larger networks by storyline, faction, or family branch, and split very dense maps into focused sub-maps.
See how everyone connects
Free, private, and ready in your browser. Your first relationship map takes about 15 minutes.
Open the relationship map editorPremium — $19.99 lifetime or $4.99/month for 7+ people, watermark-free & PDF export, and AI charts.