Random group generator
Paste your names and choose the number of groups or people per group. Reshuffle until you're happy.
Paste names to make groups
Quick answers
How do you split a class into random groups?
List the names, decide on the number of groups or the size of each, then shuffle the list and deal it out. For a class of 24:
Group sizes
How many groups will I get?
What the generator makes for common class sizes. Sizes never differ by more than one.
| Class size | Pairs | Groups of 3 | Groups of 4 | Groups of 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 10 pairs | 6 groups of 3, 1 of 2 | 5 groups of 4 | 4 groups of 5 |
| 24 | 12 pairs | 8 groups of 3 | 6 groups of 4 | 4 groups of 5, 1 of 4 |
| 25 | 11 pairs, 1 group of 3 | 7 groups of 3, 1 of 4 | 5 groups of 4, 1 of 5 | 5 groups of 5 |
| 28 | 14 pairs | 8 groups of 3, 1 of 4 | 7 groups of 4 | 4 groups of 5, 2 of 4 |
| 30 | 15 pairs | 10 groups of 3 | 6 groups of 4, 2 of 3 | 6 groups of 5 |
| 32 | 16 pairs | 10 groups of 3, 1 of 2 | 8 groups of 4 | 4 groups of 5, 2 of 6 |
How it works
How the groups are made
Paste your names
One per line or separated by commas, straight from a class list or spreadsheet. Numbers and bullets are ignored.
Choose the split
Groups = names ÷ people per group. Anyone left over joins another group, so nobody is left on their own.
Shuffle and show
The names are shuffled and dealt out. Reshuffle for a new mix, then copy the groups or put them on the big screen.
Fair every time
The order you type names in makes no difference. Fixing a typo doesn't reshuffle the class.
Names stay on your device
No sign-up and no saving. It runs in this tab and works offline once loaded.
Made for the projector
Full screen shows every group as a large card the back row can read.
Teaching from Google Slides?
Copresent puts your slides, speaker notes and a timer on your phone, so you can move around the room while groups work.
See how teachers use itKeep going
Related tools and guides
FAQ
How does the random group generator work?
Paste your names, one per line or separated by commas, and choose how many groups you want or how many people go in each. The groups appear straight away. Press Reshuffle for a new mix, Copy to paste them anywhere, or Full screen to show them on a projector.
How do I make random teams?
Choose Number of groups and set it to the number of teams you want. Two teams is the most common: the generator splits the list in half, with one extra person on one side if the count is odd.
How do I make random pairs with an odd number of students?
Choose People per group and set it to 2. With an odd number, the last student joins a pair to make one group of three, so nobody is left on their own.
What if the class doesn't divide evenly?
Group sizes never differ by more than one. The generator keeps as many groups as it can at the size you asked for: 25 students in groups of 4 gives five groups of 4 and one of 5.
Is it really random?
Yes. Every shuffle puts the names in a new random order, whatever order you typed them in. Adding or removing a name doesn't reshuffle everyone else, so you can fix the list without losing the groups you have.
Can I show the groups on a projector or smartboard?
Yes. Press Full screen and the groups fill the screen as large cards that can be read from the back of the room.
Are the names saved or sent anywhere?
No. The generator runs entirely in your browser and works offline once the page has loaded. Names are not saved, sent or put in the page address, so a fresh visit starts with an empty list.