Random Group Maker
Paste a list of names, choose how many groups you want or how big each group should be, and get balanced random groups for breakout rooms, workshops, and classes. Everything runs in your browser.
How to make groups for breakout rooms
Paste your attendee list with one name per line, or separated by commas. Then choose whether you want a set number of groups (for example four rooms) or a set group size (for example five people each). When you pick a size, the tool works out how many groups are needed and spreads people evenly, so you do not end up with one lonely room.
Choosing a group size
- Pairs suit a quick, personal exchange of a few minutes.
- Three to five people is a common rule of thumb for discussion tasks, because everyone gets airtime without the room going quiet.
- Six or more works for brainstorming with a clear note-taker, but quieter people tend to drop out, so keep these rounds short.
Give each group a job
Turn on “pick a note-taker” and each group gets one person chosen at random to capture the outcome. Tell them before they leave what the group should bring back, and how long they have. Then reshuffle for the next round so people meet different colleagues.
After the breakout
Bring everyone back with a short shared activity. A quick round of This or That or a few icebreaker questions helps the room reset before the next agenda item.
Frequently asked questions
How are the groups made?
The names are shuffled with a Fisher-Yates shuffle and then dealt out one at a time, like cards, so group sizes never differ by more than one person. There is never a leftover group of one.
Is it truly random?
It uses your browser’s random number generator, which is fine for forming discussion groups and games. It is not designed for anything that needs cryptographic randomness, such as a prize draw with legal requirements.
Are the names stored or uploaded?
No. The names stay in the page in your browser and are never sent to a server. The site only records that the tool was used and how many groups were made, not the names.
Can I keep two people apart or together?
Not in this tool. It makes fully random groups. If you need constraints, make the groups here, then swap the specific people by hand before you assign the breakout rooms.
Does it work for Zoom breakout rooms?
Yes, it is a planning aid: make the groups here, copy the list, and assign people in Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams. It does not connect to those apps.
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