ER diagram tool

Lucidchart is an intelligent diagramming solution with the tools to help you create an ER diagram online in minutes. Import your own data or start from scratch. See and build the future from anywhere with Lucidchart.

Make a free ER diagram

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Start creating your ER diagram online

Access standard shapes, build from templates, and import database tables and schemas to customize your ER diagram to your needs.

Create ER diagrams in minutes

Simplify ER diagrams with templates, dedicated shape libraries, and drag-and-drop, standard ERD symbols that allow you to build physical and conceptual ERDs in minutes. Include tables, fields, and primary or foreign keys, then connect each entity with specific crow’s foot notations to indicate the cardinality or ordinality of each entity.

Import your database structure to streamline ERD creation

Our ER diagram creator automatically generates your models and connections using our data import feature to structure your database tables and schemas directly onto the canvas.

Visualize relationships with our ER diagram maker

Our entity relationship diagram tool helps you conceptualize your database design before you build it, including the overall structure and the ways different types of data interact, if at all.

Import your Salesforce schema

Unlike other ER diagram tools, we eliminate the hassle of managing Salesforce object infrastructure and let you visualize hypothetical changes before implementing them in Salesforce.

Work from anywhere

Cloud-based, intelligent diagramming makes it easy to start diagramming from anywhere, no matter the device, browser, or operating system.

Customizable ER diagram templates

Our template gallery houses over 1,000 custom-made diagramming templates! Get inspiration from what others have created with Lucidchart to solve problems, make decisions, and manage projects.

Third-party reviews

Lucidchart has thousands of 5-star ratings on top, third-party apps like Capterra, G2, and TrustRadius.

Lucidchart feature highlights

Streamline work by enabling multiple collaborators to create and edit the same diagram at once.

ER diagram Templates

Get started creating ER diagrams with ready-to-use templates.

ER diagram example

Go to ER diagram example template

ERD with colored entities (UML notation)

Go to ERD with colored entities (UML notation) template

ER diagram

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Make an ER diagram in Lucidchart

Learn how to visualize your database structure using Lucid. This tutorial covers everything from entity relationship diagram (ERD) basics to importing SQL data and customizing your schema. Whether you're building manually or using templates, you'll discover how to define cardinalities and collaborate with your team in real time to streamline your database design process.

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Why teams choose Lucidchart

As an intelligent diagramming application, Lucidchart provides simple yet powerful capabilities for visualizing information.

Collaboration. Bring teams together side by side on a shared canvas from anywhere in the world.

Alignment. Build transparency and shared understanding of how a team or company works.

Large-scale change. Increase visibility, standardization, and knowledge sharing across your entire org.

End-to-end workflows. Upgrade to the Lucid Suite for a complete, connected visual collaboration solution.

What is an ER diagram?

An entity relationship (ER) diagram is a type of flowchart that illustrates how “entities,” such as people, objects, or concepts relate to each other within a system. They’re most often used to design or debug relational databases used for software engineering, business information systems, education, and research. Also known as ERDs or ER models, they use a defined set of symbols such as rectangles, diamonds, ovals, and connecting lines to depict the interconnectedness of entities, relationships, and their attributes. They mirror grammatical structure, with entities as nouns and relationships as verbs.

How to make an ER diagram online in Lucidchart

Enable the entity relationship shape library

Select the “Entity Relationships” library from the shape manager, where you can access standard ERD symbols, import and export your work, and connect to your DBMS or Salesforce account.

Determine the entities from your database

Entities represent a table in your database. Depending on the subject of your diagram, your entity could be a customer, product, or even a physical location like a bank.

Identify the relationships between entities

Within your diagram, indicate how your entities interact with each other by drawing lines between them and adding appropriate cardinality on each end.

Add all necessary entity attributes

Attributes are the specific properties or traits of an entity that are important in your model, such as the first and last names of a customer entity. Add your attributes and the associated primary and foreign keys.

Export your ERD to the DBMS of your choice

Lucidchart automatically generates the SQL commands you need to match your ERD to your DBMS. Simply click the export feature link from your entity relationship shapes, select your DBMS, and follow the instructions for copying the generated commands and applying them to your database.

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Frequently asked questions about our ER diagram tool

How can I automatically generate an ERD from my current database system?

Use the import feature within our ER diagram tool to connect to your DBMS and upload your database tables and schemas directly into Lucidchart. You can then drag your tables directly onto the canvas, and Lucidchart will automatically draw lines between entities based on the relationships in your database structure.

Do you have ER diagram examples to help me get started?

Yes! Open the template gallery and select an ERD template to customize for your specific processes.

What are the three main components of an entity relationship diagram?

ER diagrams or ERDs are composed of three main elements: entities, attributes, and relationships.

ERD Tutorial

Can I export my ER diagrams once I’m finished?

Yes! You can export your ERD to your MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or Oracle database. Select the export feature within the Entity Relationship shape library, choose your DBMS, and Lucidchart will change the syntax of our SQL commands to automatically generate commands you can apply to your matching database.

What is the difference between UML and ERD?

The main difference between UML and ER diagrams is that UML is a language used to create diagrams, whereas ERDs are a type of diagram. UML is used for planning software development and in many different diagrams for various purposes.

How do I create an ER diagram from scratch?

You can create an ERD from scratch using the Entity Relationship shape library in the shape manager. Drag and drop the shapes onto your canvas and manually label entities, attributes, and keys, then determine all the appropriate relationships and cardinalities.

Entity Relationship Diagram Training in Lucidchart

Can I import my current Salesforce schema into Lucidchart without having to create it from scratch?

In the Entity Relationship shape library, select the Salesforce schema import feature. Connect to your Salesforce account to instantly import your existing schema, allowing Lucidchart to automatically generate an ERD to help you visualize and arrange your schema before implementing it in Salesforce.

Everything you need to make an ER diagram

In addition to our er diagram maker, Lucidchart offers support and training resources to help you branch out to any type of diagram.

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