How to make random teams
- Paste the names into the box, one per line.
- Choose a number of teams, or a number of people per team.
- Press the button to make the teams.
- Shuffle again if you want a new mix, then copy the teams as text.
How the split works
The names are shuffled using your browser's cryptographic random generator, then dealt out like cards so the teams stay as even as possible. If the numbers do not divide exactly, some teams get one extra person. For example, 22 names in 4 teams gives two teams of 6 and two teams of 5. You will never end up with a team of 8 next to a team of 3.
Choosing "people per team" works the other way round. Ask for teams of 5 from 23 people and you get the number of teams that keeps everyone as close to 5 as possible, without leaving one person stranded on their own.
Where it comes in handy
- PE lessons, so nobody has to be picked last
- Five-a-side or Sunday league training games
- Pub and charity quiz nights, mixing tables so friends are spread out
- Group projects and workshop breakouts at school, university or work
- Team building days and away days, where mixing departments is the point
Random teams take the awkwardness out of choosing and stop the same friends always ending up together. Pupils and colleagues tend to accept a split they can see was made at random.
Tips for better teams
Random teams can still turn out lopsided, for example all the strongest players on one side. If that happens, press shuffle again until the mix looks reasonable. For a more balanced game, some coaches make teams in two rounds: run the strongest players as one list, then everyone else as a second list with the same number of teams, and merge them.
Once you are happy, copy the teams and paste them into a WhatsApp group, email or the class Teams chat so everyone knows where they are.
Questions people ask
Will the teams be the same size?
As close as the numbers allow. Team sizes never differ by more than one person.
Can I choose people per team instead of number of teams?
Yes. Pick whichever option suits you and the tool works out the rest.
How do I get a different split?
Press shuffle again. Each shuffle is a fresh random split of the same names.
Can I share the teams?
Yes. Copy the teams as text and paste them into a message, email or document.
Are the names sent anywhere?
No. The shuffling happens in your browser and the list is not uploaded.