The 8 Best Free Flowchart Templates [+ Examples]

A flowchart template will help you easily map out business processes, improve workflows, and even clarify your organizational structure — without you needing to draw a single line from scratch.

And if you think you don’t need to use flowcharts for business, think again. While bulleted lists, Word documents, or even presentations help, they don’t offer the same level of visual clarity and readability that a flowchart does. Especially if you’re trying to map out a process with different steps or stages.

Before we share the best flowchart templates, let’s answer an important question: what is a flowchart, and what can you use it for?

Flowcharts are ideal for outlining processes, and processes are the backbone of a strong business.

A clear, repeatable process has two major hurdles to a successful implementation in a business. Number one is the development of that process, and number two is getting buy-in from stakeholders on that process. That said, the best way to overcome both of these potential roadblocks is to transparently and logically outline a process.

Many businesses use flowcharts to carry out this task, as flowcharts visually outline a process roadmap for a full-scope understanding. They can also be easily digested by employees who need to know and follow the process.

In a business, flowcharts might be used for any of the following purposes:

• Team and organizational alignment: An organizational structure diagram clarifies who reports to whom in your team.
• Data management: A data flow diagram will help you understand how information progresses through your business up until deletion.
• Sales process mapping: Creating a sales process flowchart can help you shorten the sales cycle and increase revenue.
• Email nurturing: Email campaigns are famously dependent on workflows, which are a type of flowchart that decides who to enroll in a campaign and when.
• Customer journey mapping: A customer journey flowchart shows how customers find you and what their experience is like at your business.
• Customer or employee onboarding: A customer onboarding process flow can help you define what messaging to send and when during your customer’s first interactions with your business.
• A/B testing: When designing an A/B test, you’ll typically use a flowchart to figure out how many versions you’ll test and the potential results you’ll get.

You can also use flowcharts for QA-ing work, mapping out your career progression, and much, much more.

To help you create actionable flowcharts for your organization, we’ve listed the best flowchart templates for you to download and start using today to create a better process in any area of your business. Each one comes with a download link for you to start using that template right on Google Slides.

Flowchart Templates for Business

1. Basic Process Flowchart Template

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This basic flow chart template is the ideal solution for those just getting started with flowcharts. The template allows its designers to specify a starting point, two potential outcomes, and then the resulting aftermath of those decisions. Due to its limitations, this flowchart template might be best suited for basic processes, like a simple A/B test.

Who should use this flowchart?

This flowchart is helpful for those looking to design an A/B test to determine the best way to get the results they’re looking for.

What We Like About This Flowchart Template

The basic process flowchart is easy to use and follow and is ideal for documenting straightforward or simple processes.

2. Swim Lane Flowchart Template

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The swim lane flowchart template divides the steps of a process into different sectors. For your business, these different sectors could be time periods, teams, employees, or work requirements.

Who should use this flowchart?

Swim lane flowcharts are particularly helpful for those who oversee cross-functional processes.

What We Like About This Flowchart Template

This template visualizes the different process steps that take place across multiple teams or organizations.

3. Task Flowchart Template

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A task flowchart template simplifies complex processes with unique shapes. Each shape on the flowchart represents something different, forming a quick visual key.

This format is helpful when the work of several teams intertwines throughout a process. This is because it makes it easier for team members to figure out the tasks they’re responsible for. These roles are often noted in a key on the flowchart for quick reference.

The shapes can also represent different types of actions.

Who should use this flowchart?

Project managers looking to keep track of various tasks and their outcomes.

What We Like About This Flowchart Template

The task flowchart visually depicts how various contributions to a product support the end result. Each stakeholder can see how their tasks impact the flow of the project.

4. Complex Flowchart Template

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For a flowchart that doesn’t need gridlines or different shapes, this template is the best solution. It offers the option for multiple endpoints depending on which steps are taken throughout the process. Then it uses simple yes or no answers to drive you toward the endpoint.

Who should use this flowchart?

Teams looking to manage processes that could have various endpoints or projects that have multiple steps and stakeholders involved.

What We Like About This Flowchart Template

Complex processes can be difficult to keep track of. This flow chart template creates an intuitive visual for multi-step processes. This makes it easier to figure out if and when you should move forward.

5. Circular Flowchart Template

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The circular flow chart template changes things up with a different shape, but it also offers a different path structure. It helps you outline both short and long processes, with different outcomes depending on the number of steps required.

Who should use this flowchart?

Social media managers, product marketers, and content strategists may find this template suits their needs.

What We Like About This Flowchart Template

This template has a cleaner appearance than some of the more complex flowcharts and may be better for visual learners.

6. Linear Flowchart Template

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A linear flowchart template is a solution for when there’s only one optimal result. Every step of the process will either lead someone to that outcome or result in the process simply ending.

Who should use this flowchart?

Email marketing specialists and sales teams can benefit from this template because there’s typically one goal: to earn one more subscriber or earn one more customer.

What We Like About This Flowchart Template

With one singular goal, this flowchart format has a clear beginning and end and makes it easy to outline a simple process.

7. Tree Flowchart Template

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A tree-style flowchart template makes the most sense for situations where there are multiple choices and when each option has a clear and distinct next step.

Who should use this flowchart?

For businesses, this flowchart would be perfect for the support department — which can use this template to map out responses from automated chat support or a phone tree.

What We Like About This Flowchart Template

Each action has a clear next step and a predetermined outcome, but you can add more than two options — which is often not applicable to other flowcharts.

8. Organizational Flowchart Template

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The final flowchart businesses might want to use is an organizational flowchart (or org chart) template. This is an essential chart that shows who reports to whom and helps all employees understand their position in the business.

Who should use this flowchart?

Company and department heads use this template to outline the chain of command in an area of the business. Human Resources teams can also use it to inform team structure and organizational decisions.

What We Like About This Flowchart Template

Users can see team structure at-a-glance and can quickly find who they need to go to for their project or to have their questions answered.

Now that we’ve shared the best flowchart templates, it’s time to look at them in action.

Flowchart Examples for Business

1. Basic Process Flowchart Example

This template visualizes how a user visiting a company’s landing page could convert and become a lead. Notice how there are two potential final outcomes, but because of this chart’s simplicity, you can add as many outcomes as you want. With a flowchart like this, it’s important to have clear, defined goals in mind.

2. Swimlane Flowchart Example

In the example above, the swimlanes are divided by department to illustrate the process of the customer journey. This is exceedingly important for determining which teams need to interact with a customer and when. Without a swimlane flowchart outlining these roles, your customers’ experience with your company can seem haphazard and poorly planned.

3. Task Flowchart Example

In the example above, the different shapes represent the start of, end of, and actions taken during the process of viewing a landing page. This task flowchart example follows an “if this, then that” format. It shows the various outcomes that could occur when a potential customer visits a landing page.

4. Complex Flowchart Example

The above hiring visual is an example of a complex flowchart with many events and potential outcomes. It offers two potential outcomes at every stage. Then it shows with clarity what happens as a candidate moves forward. The colors also make it clear which final outcomes are positive or negative.

5. Circular Flowchart Example

In the example above, a circular flow chart offers a decision-making framework. Here, it’s used to help a social media manager figure out which site to post content on. It includes specific, targeted questions that define the assets the social media manager needs to create and which social platforms these assets are best suited for.

6. Linear Flowchart Example

A linear flowchart can be used for processes that have only one desired outcome. In the above example, it’s for an email nurturing sequence. In the image, the process ends whether someone signs up for an event or not.

A time-bound (or finite) email nurturing sequence is especially a good fit for these types of flowcharts. For continuous email marketing campaigns, you might need a more agile flowchart where you can determine when to move a subscriber to another email list.

7. Tree Flowchart Example

In this tree flowchart example, a business depicts the choices and next steps a caller can take when contacting them by telephone. Notice that there are many endpoints for the customer depending on their previous action.

A flowchart like this is useful if you’re trying to outline a process with different “branches.” For instance, you might create a landing page flowchart that determines which form or CTA is depicted to a customer based on their previous activity on your website.

8. Organizational Flowchart Example

While not exactly procedural, this visualization helps those within the company quickly understand who reports to whom and who handles what. The best part of this example is that it can be as detailed or as simple as you’d like it to be; you can go down to your junior individual contributors or simply outline your leadership map.

Top Flowchart Tools and Software [Free and Paid]

Flowchart templates are incredibly useful for solving business problems and simplifying processes. That said, some issues need more custom solutions.

The flowchart tools below can help your team connect and work together on flowcharts. They make it simple to create unique and easy-to-read flow charts.

1. Miro

Pricing: Free, with paid options for extended features and enterprises.

Who should use this tool?

Teams that use flowcharts for a wide variety of users and stakeholders. This tool is also helpful for teams that create flow charts collaboratively or want to include multiple flowcharts in a single document.

What We Like About It

Miro offers tools to build and plan complex flowcharts for teams. Besides visual whiteboard tools, Miro also offers templates for strategy mapping, workflows, UX design, and more. Features like digital sticky notes make it easy to add comments to in-progress flowcharts.

2. diagrams.net

Pricing: Free

Who should use this tool?

This open-source technology is simple and quick to use for practical flowcharts and process mapping.

What We Like About This Flowchart Software

Create process diagrams for modeling, databases, networks, wireframes, and more. This tool is popular with users who want diagramming software for immediate business application. This flowchart tool also includes customizable templates.

3. Zen Flowchart

Pricing: Free, with paid options for extended features.

Who should use this tool?

Casual users and enterprise companies looking for web-based flowchart software.

What We Like About It

Zen Flowchart is simple to use with a wide range of features. You can create mind maps, wireframes, or whiteboards with this drag-and-drop tool. Its simple workspace helps limit distractions so you can focus on your business process.

This flowchart tool also has features for collaboration and real-time commenting.

4. Lucidchart

Pricing: Free, with paid options for extended features and enterprise.

Who should use this flowchart tool?

Lucidchart offers features for both individual users and collaborative professional teams.

What We Like About This Flowchart Tool

Besides real-time collaboration and ease of use, this diagram software also has a range of advanced features. You can personalize flowcharts with custom shapes and a library of shapes and icons. Automated diagramming can help new users create a flowchart without time-consuming edits and tweaks.

Integrations with Atlassian, Zapier, Notion, and more are also super useful. These connections can help integrate flowchart collaboration into your current tech stack and workflows.

5. Textografo

Pricing: Starts at $4/month.

Who should use this flowchart tool?

This text-to-diagram generator is a simple way for less visually-oriented users to create flowcharts. It’s for users who understand the value of graphical flow diagrams but also may not be as quick or comfortable with visual tools.

What We Like About It

This flowchart tool offers a different approach to flowchart creation that can save many users time and effort. Textografo can help users create a flowchart, mindmap, decision trees, or animated diagrams. Users can also collaborate on the process with this online tool.

6. Cacoo

Pricing: Free, with paid options for extended features and enterprises.

Who should use this tool?

This cloud-based and user-friendly tool is useful for a variety of users and teams.

What We Like About This Flowchart Software

Cacoo is a comprehensive tool that makes it easy to personalize flowcharts for a range of uses. Whether you’re creating a marketing flowchart with imported images or a wireframe with custom symbols, this tool can help. This resource also offers collaboration tools and integrations with Adobe Creative Cloud, Zapier, and more.

The central dashboard is also helpful for understanding everything your project needs at a glance.

7. Microsoft Visio

Pricing: Starts at $5/month.

Who should use this tool?

Visio is an intuitive flow chart tool for Microsoft 365 users.

What We Like About It

This flowchart tool can help you create complex flowcharts or simple diagrams. The interface and styling are familiar to many business users, which can help speed up the process of visualizing complex ideas. It also offers themes to improve the look of your flowcharts.

Visio also comes with hundreds of templates for a range of industry needs. It also makes it simple to import data from Excel, Access, and other Microsoft sources.

Using Business Flowchart Templates

Business flowchart templates are the fastest and easiest way to build flowcharts. All the above templates are downloadable and completely customizable when it comes to shape, format, color, and imagery. Click below to download the templates for free to better illustrate and communicate processes in your company.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in July 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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