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Random team generator

Paste a list of names and choose how many teams you need or how many people go in each. The tool shuffles them into balanced groups you can reshuffle, copy or print.

No names yet

For two people with the same name. Otherwise repeats are left out.

Off: the list is forgotten when you close the page. It is never sent anywhere or put in the link.

Split by
Your teams
No names yet
Paste or type names on the left, one per line.
Your teams will show here as cards you can copy or print.

Teams are shuffled with your browser's secure random generator, so every split is equally likely. Names stay on this device and are never put in the link.

  • Names stay on your device
  • Free, no sign-up
  • Works on phone and desktop

How to make random teams

  1. 1

    Paste or type the names, one per line, or click Try an example list to see how it works.

  2. 2

    Choose number of teams or people per team and type the number you need.

  3. 3

    Pick team names: numbered, colors or animals. The teams appear at once as cards.

  4. 4

    Click Shuffle again for a new mix, then Copy teams or Print the result.

Features

  • Balanced teams

    Team sizes never differ by more than one person, whichever way you split the list.

  • Truly random

    Shuffled with your browser's secure random generator, so every possible split is equally likely.

  • Copy or print

    Copy all the teams as plain text for an email or a slide, or print them as clean cards without the page around them.

  • Names stay private

    Nothing is uploaded and names never go in the link. Remembering the list in your browser is optional.

Balanced team sizes

The generator always deals the names as evenly as possible, so no team is more than one person bigger than another. Here is how a class of 26 splits into different numbers of teams:

TeamsTeam sizesIn words
213, 132 teams of 13
39, 9, 82 teams of 9 and 1 team of 8
47, 7, 6, 62 teams of 7 and 2 teams of 6
56, 5, 5, 5, 51 team of 6 and 4 teams of 5
65, 5, 4, 4, 4, 42 teams of 5 and 4 teams of 4
74, 4, 4, 4, 4, 3, 35 teams of 4 and 2 teams of 3
84, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 32 teams of 4 and 6 teams of 3

If you think in group sizes instead, choose People per team. When the class doesn't divide evenly you decide what happens to the people left over: they can join other groups, making a few groups one bigger, or form extra groups that are one smaller.

People per teamLeftovers join other teamsLeftovers form smaller teams
213 teams of 213 teams of 2
32 teams of 4 and 6 teams of 38 teams of 3 and 1 team of 2
42 teams of 5 and 4 teams of 45 teams of 4 and 2 teams of 3
51 team of 6 and 4 teams of 52 teams of 5 and 4 teams of 4

For pairs, joining is usually the better choice: an odd number gives one group of three rather than someone working alone.

Tips for group work

  • Pick the size for the task. Pairs suit quick discussions and peer checking; groups of three or four let everyone talk while sharing the work; bigger groups need clear roles or some people drift.
  • Give each person a job. A facilitator, a recorder, a timekeeper and a reporter keep a group of four moving and make sure no one does all the work.
  • Mix it up often. Random groups get students working with classmates they wouldn't choose, and save the awkward moment of picking teams. Reshuffling every unit or every week stops cliques forming.
  • Adjust with care. Random isn't always right: copy the teams, then move a student who needs a particular partner, or keep two apart. Small changes keep most of the benefit.
  • Show the result. Put the team cards on the projector or print them so everyone can find their group quickly.

Beyond the classroom

The same tool works for pickup games and PE lessons, trivia nights, office workshops and icebreakers. Color team names match colored pinnies or table cards; animal names are handy for a scavenger hunt. Need one person rather than a team, such as who presents first? Use the random name picker, which shares your saved list. For a classroom game, make cards with the bingo card generator, and to plan the term, print a calendar with the school holidays marked.

Frequently asked questions

How do I split a class into random groups?

Paste the class list, one name per line, choose Number of teams or People per team, and type the number. The names are shuffled and dealt into balanced groups straight away. Click Shuffle again until you are happy, then copy or print the groups.

What happens when the people don't divide evenly?

Sizes are balanced, so they never differ by more than one: 26 students in 4 teams makes two teams of 7 and two of 6. When you choose people per team and it does not divide evenly, you choose whether the leftovers join other teams (26 in fours: two teams of 5 and four of 4) or form smaller teams (five teams of 4 and two of 3).

Can I keep certain people apart or together?

There is no rule for that. Shuffle again until the mix works, or copy the teams and swap two names by hand. Many teachers make the random groups first and then adjust one or two placements for students who need particular support.

Is the team generator really random?

Yes. The list is shuffled with the Fisher-Yates method using the browser's cryptographically secure random generator, so every person is equally likely to land on any team. The order of your list makes no difference.

Is my list of names stored anywhere?

Only if you ask. The names stay in the page while it is open and are never uploaded or put in the link. Turn on "Remember this list in this browser" to keep it on this device for next time (the random name picker uses the same saved list); turn it off to delete it.

Can I print the teams?

Click Print and only the team cards are printed, three across, without the page's menus or the name box. Or click Copy teams to paste them into an email, a document or a slide.

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