Random partner generator for classrooms and teams
With this random partner generator you pair up a class or a team without drawing sticks: paste the names, press “Pick partners” and every pair is set. Each possible pairing is equally likely. With an odd number of people you choose between one group of three and one person left over – for partner work, lab pairs, training drills or a doubles night.
Source: W3C Recommendation, W3C Web Cryptography API – getRandomValues(). Updated: .
How it is calculated
The random partner generator shuffles your list of names and reads it off two at a time, so every student gets exactly one partner and nobody chooses. It takes one tap and the result is ready to show on the board.
How to pick random partners
- Paste or type the names, one per line. Delete the sample names first.
- Decide what happens with an odd number: a group of three, or one person left over (who then works with you, for example).
- Press Pick partners. The pairs appear at once and in the table below.
- Not happy with the timing – someone just walked in? Add the name and press again for a fresh draw.
How many pairs do I get?
| People | “Group of three” | “One person left over” |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 12 pairs | 12 pairs |
| 25 | 11 pairs and 1 group of three | 12 pairs, 1 person left over |
| 9 | 3 pairs and 1 group of three | 4 pairs, 1 person left over |
| 3 | 1 group of three | 1 pair, 1 person left over |
The sample list has 24 names, so the first draw gives 12 pairs.
Is the draw fair?
Yes. The order of the list is shuffled with the Fisher–Yates method using the browser’s cryptographic random number generator. Every order of the names is equally likely, and with it every pairing. In a class of 24, the chance that a given student is paired with one particular classmate is 1 in 23, about 4.35%.
What teachers and coaches use it for
- Think-pair-share and peer review: new partners every lesson instead of the same two friends.
- Lab and project pairs: draw once, print the list and pin it up.
- Training: passing drills, sparring partners, doubles pairs for badminton, tennis or pickleball.
- Buddy systems: reading buddies, excursion partners, onboarding pairs at work.
For larger groups use the random group generator; for balanced sides, the random team generator. To call on a single student, the random name picker is quicker.
Names stay private
Student names are personal data. This page keeps them in your browser only; they are not part of the page address and are not sent to a server. If you want to pass the pairs on, the share button builds a link that carries the list in the fragment after the #, which browsers do not transmit to the server. Send it to yourself on WhatsApp and the same pairs open on your phone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I randomly pair students?
Paste the class list, one name per line, and press “Pick partners”. The list is shuffled and split into pairs.
What happens with an odd number of students?
You choose: the last three form a group of three, or one person is left over and shown separately.
Can I draw new partners for the next lesson?
Yes. Press “Pick partners” again and a completely new, independent draw is made.
Does the generator avoid repeating last week’s partners?
No. Each draw is independent. In a class of 24, the chance of getting the same partner again is 1 in 23, about 4.35%.
How many names can I enter?
Up to 60, one per line – enough for a large class or two combined groups.
Are the names sent anywhere?
No. They stay in your browser. Only a link you create yourself with “Share” carries them, in the part after the #, which is not sent to the server.
Can I show the pairs on a projector?
Yes. “Full screen for the projector” enlarges the pairs so the whole room can read them. “Print the list” gives you a paper copy.
Can I pair names from two different lists?
This page pairs people from one list. For mixed pairs, draw each list separately with the random name picker and match the two orders.
Sources and legal basis
- W3C Recommendation: W3C Web Cryptography API – getRandomValues()
- MDN Web Docs – Crypto.getRandomValues()
- Fisher–Yates shuffle (Durstenfeld 1964)
As of: · Editorial policy
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