Free Random Group Generator
Make balanced student groups, and keep apart who needs it.
- 100% free
- No signup
- Private: stays in your browser
- Updated November 2026
How to make random groups
- 1
Paste your class list. Choose how many groups you want, or how many students per group.
- 2
Add any pairs who work better apart, one pair per line. The generator keeps them in different groups.
- 3
Press Make new groups until you're happy, then drag names to fine-tune. Present it, print it or copy it as text.
A group generator that respects what you know about your class
This random group generator splits your class into balanced groups in one click. Group sizes never differ by more than one student, so a class of 25 in six groups becomes five groups of four and one of five, not a lonely group of one.
Random groups are fair and quick, but you know your students. The keep-apart list lets you name pairs who shouldn't share a group, and the generator tries hundreds of arrangements to honor every pair. If it can't (for example, with too few groups), it tells you how many pairs are still together so you can adjust.
Once the groups are made, you can still move people. Drag a name to another group, or tap a name and then tap Move here, which also works with a keyboard. Your groups are saved, so they're still there after the bell. Name the groups if you like, such as table colors or team names, and press F to show them on the projector while students find their seats.
Everything stays in your browser. Student names are never uploaded.
Ways to use random groups
Jigsaw reading
Make expert groups for each section of a text, then a second set of mixed groups where each expert teaches their part.
Lab partners
Set people per group to 2 for quick lab pairs, and keep apart students who need different partners.
Table teams
Name groups after table colors so students can find their seats from the projector.
Station rotations
Make as many groups as you have stations, print the list, and post it by the door.
Fresh discussion groups
Regenerate groups each week so students hear from classmates they don't usually talk to.
Game day teams
Make two to four teams, then switch to the classroom scoreboard to keep score.
Frequently asked questions
How does the keep-apart option work?
Write two names per line, separated by a comma, an ampersand or the word "and". The generator tries many shuffles and picks one where none of those pairs share a group.
Are the groups always balanced?
Yes. Students are dealt into groups like cards, so sizes never differ by more than one. Moving names by hand can change that, which is up to you.
Can I choose how many students are in each group?
Yes. Switch Split by to People per group and enter the size. The generator works out the number of groups and spreads any extra students around.
Can I edit the groups after making them?
Yes. Drag names between groups, or tap a name and press Move here. The edited groups are saved until you make new ones or change the list.
Is my class list stored anywhere?
Only in your own browser on this device. Nothing is sent to a server.
Can I print the groups?
Yes. Print gives a clean page with each group in its own box, ready to post on the wall.