How to make random teams
- Type or paste everyone's name into the box, one per line.
- Choose how many teams you need, from 2 to 10.
- Press Make teams. Press it again for a completely new split.
- Use Copy teams to paste the result into a chat or document.
How the teams are chosen
The list is shuffled with your browser's cryptographic random number generator, using a Fisher-Yates shuffle, and then dealt out like cards, one name at a time to each team in turn. That keeps team sizes as even as possible. If the names do not divide exactly, some teams get one more person than others.
Because the order is fully shuffled, nobody can influence who ends up where, including whoever types the list. Your names are saved only in your own browser so they are still there next time.
When random teams work best
- Classrooms: mix pupils up for group work without anyone feeling picked last.
- Sports and games: split a casual five-a-side, a quiz night or a board game into fair sides.
- Work and events: create breakout groups, hackathon teams or pub quiz tables.
- Family and friends: settle who plays with whom in a tournament.
Random is fair, but not always balanced
A random split gives everyone the same chance of landing on any team. It does not balance skill. If one person is much stronger than the rest, a random draw can still put them with other strong players. For a more even contest, read our guide on how to split a group into fair teams, then use this tool for the final draw.
Want to pick team captains first?
Use the random name picker to choose captains, then put the rest of the names in the team generator. To decide which team kicks off, try who goes first or a coin toss.
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Frequently asked questions
Are the teams really random?
Yes. The names are shuffled with your browser's secure random number generator, so every possible split is equally likely.
Will the teams be the same size?
As close as possible. If the number of names does not divide evenly, some teams will have one extra person.
How many names and teams can I use?
You can use as many names as you like and up to 10 teams. You need at least two names.
Is my list of names stored anywhere?
Only in your own browser. Nothing is sent to our server.