How to make random teams
Put one name on each line, set the number of teams, and press "Split into teams". Names are shuffled with the Fisher–Yates method using a cryptographic random source, then dealt out like cards. Team sizes differ by at most one person when the list does not divide evenly.
Not happy with a split? Press the button again for a fresh shuffle. Nothing is saved on a server, so you can re-roll as many times as you like.
Where random teams work well
- Classroom group work and lab partners
- Sports practice, scrimmages and pickup games
- Hackathons and workshop breakout groups
- Party games and icebreakers
- Splitting a household chore list fairly
Wheel or team generator?
Use the generator above to divide everyone at once. Use the wheel above it to choose one person, such as a team captain, a first player or who goes first. Both read the same list, so you only type names once.
Tips for balanced groups
Random splits are fair, but not always balanced for skill. For mixed-ability teams, run the generator separately on skill tiers and combine the results, or spin the wheel to choose captains and let them draft.
Step-by-step: split a group into teams
- Paste the names, one per line.
- Enter how many teams you want, from 2 to 20.
- Press Split into teams. The groups appear below the button.
- Press the button again for a new shuffle if you want a different split.
- Copy the teams from the screen into your notes or project board.
How team sizes work
Names are dealt out one at a time, like cards, so team sizes differ by at most one person. With 14 names and 4 teams you get two teams of four and two teams of three. If you need exact sizes, choose a number of teams that divides the list, or add a "Substitute" entry to even it out.
Tips for fair and useful groups
- For skill balance, split strong and developing players into separate lists first, run the generator on each, then combine team 1 from both lists, team 2 from both, and so on.
- For classroom pairs, enter the class and choose half as many teams as students.
- For tournaments, make teams here and then use the wheel to pick the starting team.
- Re-shuffle if the result splits up pairs that you want to keep together; only do this before you announce the teams.
Examples
A coach has 18 players and wants three scrimmage teams: choose 3 teams and get six per team. A teacher has 27 students and wants groups of about four: choose 7 teams and get groups of four and three. A manager running a workshop with 40 attendees picks 8 teams of five and uses the wheel to pick a spokesperson for each team.
Last updated 6 October 2026 · Winners are chosen with the browser’s cryptographic random generator. How it works
Frequently asked questions
How do I split a list into random teams?
Enter one name per line, choose the number of teams, and press Split into teams.
What if the list does not divide evenly?
Teams differ in size by at most one person.
Is the grouping truly random?
Yes. Names are shuffled with the Fisher–Yates algorithm using the browser's cryptographic random number generator.
Can I pick team captains with the wheel?
Yes. Spin the wheel above the generator to pick a captain from the same list.
Does the team generator save my teams?
No. Teams are shown on the screen only and are not sent to a server. Copy them if you need them.
Can I keep two people on the same team?
Not automatically. A common workaround is to enter the pair as one entry, such as "Sam & Alex", and split the pair after the draw.
