How to use it
- Paste or type the names in Names, one per line. Add a tag after a vertical bar, such as Alex | red, to share a tag out evenly.
- Choose Split by: groups of this size, or this number of groups, and type the number in the box below it.
- Write any pairs that must be apart in Keep apart, one per line, as Alex ! Sam.
- Press Make groups. Press it again for a new grouping, then Copy the groups or Print.
How the groups are made
The page first decides how big each group is. A size gives groups of that size, and the last group takes the names that are left, so the sizes are as equal as possible. A number of groups gives that many groups, with sizes that differ by at most one. Then each name is placed at random.
- Two names written with ! are never placed in the same group.
- A tag is shared out so that each group holds the lowest or the highest share of that tag, as the numbers allow.
- Placing is a search: when a choice leads nowhere, the page steps back and tries another. A search that takes too long stops and says so.
What the groups do not do
- They do not rank, weigh or balance people by skill, score or any other measure. For that, the team generator balances skill numbers.
- They do not remember earlier groupings, so the same list gives a new grouping each time you press the button.
- They are not an official draw for prizes or a regulated lottery.
Example: eight names, four red and four blue
Eight names split into groups of four make two groups. With four red and four blue tags, each group gets two red and two blue, because each tag is shared out evenly. With Alex ! Sam in the list, Alex and Sam always end up in different groups, whichever grouping the random placement finds.
| Rule | Result |
|---|---|
| Eight names in groups of four | Two groups of four |
| Four red and four blue tags | Two red and two blue in each group |
| Alex ! Sam | Alex and Sam in different groups |
Frequently asked questions
Are the groups fair?
They are random: every placement is a random choice. No skill, score or ranking is used, and the only rules are the sizes, the pairs you list and the shared tags.
What happens when the rules cannot all be met?
The page says so and does not make a grouping that breaks a rule. Remove one pair, or change the number of groups, and press Make groups again.
Why do 10 names in groups of 3 make groups of 3, 3, 2 and 2?
Groups of 3 would leave 10 names as 3, 3, 3 and 1, which gives one name a group of their own. The page makes four groups with sizes as equal as possible: 3, 3, 2 and 2.
Are the names I type stored or sent to a server?
No. The names are read and grouped in your browser. They are not stored or sent to our server, and they are gone when you leave the page.
Can I use it for a class, a workshop or a party game?
Yes. Use it for any group of people, such as a class, a workshop, a team building game or a party. For a sports team split by skill, use the team generator.
How do I keep two people apart?
Write both names on one line with an exclamation mark between them, such as Alex ! Sam. Each name must match a name in the list exactly, spelling and capitals included.
Sources
Figures and text last checked on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.