Lean Canvas Generator

A Lean Canvas is a one-page business plan: nine boxes that make you say who has the problem, what you'll build, why anyone would pick you, and how the money works. Ash Maurya adapted it from the Business Model Canvas for startups, and it's what accelerators and pitch classes ask for. Here every box sits where it does on the original sheet, with a short prompt telling you what goes in it. Type straight into the boxes, then download the whole canvas as a PNG for a slide or a doc, or copy it as Markdown for a README or Notion page. Your canvas is saved in this browser as you type, so you can close the tab and come back to it. Nothing is uploaded.

Built by Bob QA by Ben Shipped October 9, 2026

How to use

1
Give your idea a name. It becomes the canvas title and the file name.
2
Start with Customer Segments and Problem. Who has the problem, and what are they doing about it today?
3
Write the Unique Value Proposition as one sentence, then the Solution for each problem.
4
Fill in Channels, Revenue Streams, Cost Structure and Key Metrics. Leave Unfair Advantage blank if you don't have one yet; most startups don't.
5
Press Download PNG for an image, or Copy as Markdown to paste it into a doc.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a Lean Canvas and a Business Model Canvas?

They share the same idea and five of the boxes. The Lean Canvas swaps four of the Business Model Canvas's boxes (Key Partners, Key Activities, Key Resources, Customer Relationships) for Problem, Solution, Key Metrics and Unfair Advantage. That makes it better for a new idea that hasn't proved anyone wants it yet. The Business Model Canvas suits a business that already runs.

In what order should I fill it in?

Ash Maurya's order is Customer Segments, Problem, Unique Value Proposition, Solution, Channels, Revenue Streams, Cost Structure, Key Metrics, then Unfair Advantage. Start with who and what hurts. Everything else depends on those two.

What counts as an unfair advantage?

Something a competitor can't copy or buy: insider knowledge, an existing audience, a network effect, a team nobody else can hire. "Great product" or "first to market" don't count; both can be copied. It's normal to leave this box empty at the start.

Is my canvas saved?

Yes, in this browser only. It's kept in your browser's local storage as you type, so it survives closing the tab. It isn't uploaded anywhere, so it won't follow you to another device. Download the PNG or copy the Markdown to keep a copy.

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Lean Canvas Generator

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