How to make random teams
- Paste or type the names, one per line.
- Choose how to split them: by number of teams, or by number of people in each team.
- Press Make teams. Each team appears in its own box.
- Not happy? Press Make teams again for a new random split. Press Copy teams to paste the result into a chat, an email or a slide.
Your list of names is kept in this browser, so it is still there next time you open the page.
Even sizes, every time
The generator shuffles everyone into a random order, then deals them out one by one, like dealing cards. So teams are always as even as they can be. With 10 people and 3 teams, you get teams of 4, 3 and 3. With 12 people and teams of 4, you get exactly 3 teams.
Number of teams or people per team?
- Choose number of teams when you have a set number of spaces, like four tables or two sides of a pitch.
- Choose people in each team when the activity needs a set size, like pairs for a reading task or groups of five for a project. If the names do not divide evenly, some teams get one person fewer.
Ideas
- PE lessons and sports clubs: pick sides in seconds.
- Group work in class: mix students who do not usually sit together.
- Workshops and training days: make breakout groups.
- Quiz nights and party games.
- Work events and volunteer shifts.
Balancing skill
Random teams are fair, but they are not always even in skill. If that matters, split in two rounds: put your strongest players in one list and split them first, then split everyone else and add them to the teams. Or simply press Make teams again until the group agrees the split looks right.
Running the activity
Read the teams out loud, or press Copy teams and paste them onto your board or slide. Ask each team to choose a captain, or pick one with the classroom name picker. If someone arrives late, add them to the smallest team, or add their name and press Make teams again. For a tournament, put the team names on a wheel to set the order of the matches.
Fun team names
Tick “Give teams fun names” to swap “Team 1” for a random name like Team Comets or Team Otters. It makes teams easier to call out in a noisy hall.
Private and fair
The shuffle uses your browser’s secure random numbers, so every possible split is equally likely. Names stay on your device and are never sent to us. Need to pick one person instead of making teams? Use the random name picker or the classroom name picker.