Random Group Generator
Paste a class or team roster and split it into random, evenly-sized groups. Pick the number of groups or the people per group, reshuffle in a click, and put the result on a projector while your list stays on your own screen.
Balanced beats truly random
If you split a group by assigning each person to a random group independently, the sizes drift — with twenty people and four groups you might get seven, six, four, and three. Technically random, and annoying in a classroom, where lopsided groups mean one table does half the work.
This deals instead: it shuffles the list, then hands names out around the groups in turn. The order is random, but the sizes come out even — never more than one person apart. That is almost always what you actually want.
Two ways to size it
- Number of groups — you know you want four stations, whatever the headcount. It makes four balanced groups.
- People per group — you want pairs, or threes, and the number of groups can fall where it falls. It makes as many as needed without any group going over your cap.
Built for the room
- Send it to a second screen. The groups display on the projector; your roster and settings stay on your laptop.
- Reshuffle on the spot. If an arrangement pairs the wrong two people, one click redraws it.
- Your list is remembered. It is saved in this browser, so the same class is ready next lesson.
Beyond the classroom
- Workshops and offsites — break a room into discussion tables or breakout groups.
- Sports and games — even teams from a list of players, redrawn until nobody argues.
- Secret Santa and pairings — set the size to two for random partners.
Questions
How does it decide the groups?
It shuffles your list and deals the names out one at a time across the groups, like dealing cards. That keeps every group within one member of every other, so you never end up with a full group and a leftover pair.
What's the difference between the two modes?
“Number of groups” makes exactly that many — pick 4 and you get 4 balanced groups whatever the class size. “People per group” works the other way: set a cap of 4 and it makes as many groups as it needs so none goes over four, still keeping them even. Twelve people at up to four make three groups of four; thirteen make four groups of four, four, three, two.
Can I reshuffle?
Yes — the button becomes “Shuffle again” once you've made groups, and each press is a fresh random split. Handy when the first arrangement puts two people together you'd rather separate.
Can I show the groups on a projector?
Yes. The second screen button opens a display-only window you drag to your projector and full screen there. The groups show large on a white background while your name list and settings stay on your own screen.
Does my list get uploaded?
No. The list is saved by your browser on your own device, so it's there next time, and it isn't sent anywhere — there's no server behind this tool. Clearing the box, or clearing site data for this site, removes it.
What would make this tool better? A device that's missing, a detail that looks wrong, an option you went looking for and didn't find — all of it is useful. Send a note.
More in Classroom & Event Screens
See the collection- Random Name PickerSpin a wheel that won't repeat until everyone's had a turn
- Full-Screen Countdown TimerA big, accurate countdown that won't drift in a background tab
- Raffle & Giveaway Winner PickerDraw one winner or several, with a proper reveal
Also coming to this collection: Full-Screen Countdown Clock, Full-Screen Stopwatch.