What is Team Randomizer?

Takes a list of names and splits them into random, evenly sized teams. Works for sports, classroom groups, hackathons, or anywhere you need a fair split.

Paste your names one per line or comma-separated, then either pick a team count (up to 26) or switch to 'members per team' to size each group directly. Put an asterisk before a name to make that person a captain, who gets spread one per team and listed first. The tool shuffles with Fisher–Yates and deals names round-robin so team sizes differ by at most one. Each team gets its own colour for quick scanning, and a Reshuffle button on the results lets you redraw without re-entering the list. Rename any team by typing over its label, then copy the split, download it as a text file, or share a link that reopens the exact teams.

How to use

1. Enter names one per line or comma-separated, and put * before a name to make them a team captain.
2. Pick how many teams you want (2–26), or switch to 'members per team' to size groups directly.
3. Hit 'Randomize' to shuffle and deal names across the teams. Use the 'Reshuffle' button on the results to redraw without re-entering anything.

When to use

• Splitting a PE class or sports day group into balanced practice teams.
• Pairing up a hackathon or workshop cohort into project squads in a few seconds.
• Picking trivia or board-game teams at a family event so nobody is accused of stacking.

Result

A teacher enters 24 student names and selects 6 teams. The tool creates 6 groups of 4 students each, with a fair random distribution for a group project.

FAQ

How does the randomization work, is it really fair?

Names are shuffled using the Fisher–Yates algorithm, which gives every name an equal probability of any position. Shuffled names are then dealt one per team in order, so team sizes differ by at most one.

What happens if the number of names does not divide evenly?

The tool deals round-robin, so the first few teams get one extra person until everyone is placed. With 23 names and 4 teams you get sizes 6, 6, 6, 5 — the smallest team is never more than one short.

Can I set a team captain, exclude someone, or force two people onto the same team?

Captains: yes — put an asterisk before a name (e.g. *Sam) and it gets spread one per team and listed first. Forcing a pair together isn't built in; leave them out, randomize the rest, then drop the pair into one team by hand. To exclude someone, just leave their name off the list.

Why do I sometimes get the same person in the same team twice in a row when I reshuffle?

Each shuffle is independent, so two consecutive randomizations can place a person in the same team by chance. With 4 teams the odds of any one name landing in the same team again are roughly 1 in 4 per reshuffle.

What is the practical limit on the number of names?

Up to about a thousand names runs instantly on a typical phone. Beyond that the result is still correct but the on-screen list becomes long; copying the formatted output to a spreadsheet is the easiest way to handle very large groups.

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