Random team picker

Two ways to pick teams

Make all the teams at once

1. Enter the names in the list, one per line.
2. Choose how to split them: by number of teams (for example, 3 teams) or by people per team (for example, teams of 4).
3. Press Make random teams. The teams appear below the wheel. Press it again for a fresh shuffle, or Copy teams to paste them into a chat.

Spin for one person at a time

Use the wheel when picking should be part of the fun: spin for team captains, then let the captains take turns choosing, or spin to set the batting or turn order. Turn on Remove the winner after each spin in the Customize tab so each person is picked only once.

How the teams are made

WheelQuirk shuffles the list using your browser’s cryptographic random number generator and an unbiased shuffle (Fisher–Yates), then deals the names out one by one, like cards, until everyone has a team. Because of that dealing step, team sizes never differ by more than one person.

• 12 people into 3 teams gives teams of 4, 4 and 4.
• 11 people into 3 teams gives teams of 4, 4 and 3.
• 10 people in teams of 4 gives 3 teams: 4, 3 and 3.

What random teams can and can’t do

The teams are random, not balanced by skill. Two strong players can land on the same team, just as they might if you drew names from a hat. If balance matters, try one of these:

• make the teams, then swap one or two people by agreement;
• pick captains first with the wheel, and let the captains choose players in turns;
• split players into two lists (for example, experienced and new), make teams from each, and combine them.

Where a team generator helps

Sports and PE

Quick, fair sides for pickup games without anyone being picked last.

Classroom groups

Mix up project groups so students work with new classmates.

Quiz and game nights

Shuffle friends into trivia teams or board-game pairs.

Workshops

Create breakout groups for meetings and training sessions.