RANDOM PAIR GENERATOR
Paste a list of names and get random pairs in one click. Plan several rounds where nobody gets the same partner twice, or match two lists, such as mentors and mentees.
Names
Who needs a partner?
0 names. Commas and new lines both work; repeated names count once.
Add names to see how many rounds are possible.
Results
Random pairs
Add names and press Make random pairs. With more than one round, every round uses new partners, except when an odd person joins a group of 3.
How the pairs come out
A few common group sizes and what the partner generator does with them.
10 people, one list
5 pairs a round, up to 9 rounds
Over 9 rounds everyone partners with each of the other 9 exactly once.
7 people, one list
3 pairs and one group of 3, or one person sits out
Up to 7 rounds; with sit-out, each person sits out exactly once.
4 mentors and 5 mentees
4 pairs a round, one mentee waits
Up to 5 rounds; each mentor meets a different mentee every round.
6 and 6 across two lists
6 pairs a round
Up to 6 rounds before anyone would meet the same partner again.
Ways to use a partner generator
Classroom partner work
Paste the class list and make new study partners for each activity. Plan a whole week of rounds at once so nobody works with the same classmate twice.
Speed networking and icebreakers
Set the rounds to the number of time slots. Every round gives each person someone new to talk to.
Mentors and mentees
Use two lists to match mentors with mentees, interviewers with candidates, or buddies with new starters. Each pair always has one name from each list.
Doubles and game partners
Pair players for doubles, card games or a party game. Re-roll if a pairing does not work for the group.
Why rounds never repeat
Shuffling a list and pairing neighbors is random, but do it twice and some people will land together again. To avoid that, the generator shuffles once and then follows a round-robin schedule: one person stays put while everyone else moves one seat each round. Every two people meet exactly once before the schedule runs out. The one exception is a group of three for an odd number of people: choose "One person sits out" if partners must never repeat.
The shuffle uses the same secure random method as every wheel on this site, written up onhow random selection works. To split a group into teams of three or more, use therandom team generator.
Random Pair Generator FAQ
How does the random pair generator work?
Your browser shuffles the names with the Web Crypto API, so every order is equally likely. The shuffled list is then paired with a round-robin schedule, which is what guarantees new partners in each round.
How many rounds can I make with no repeated partners?
With one list of an even number of people, one fewer round than there are people: 10 people give 9 rounds, after which everyone has partnered with everyone. With an odd number, as many rounds as there are people. With two lists, as many rounds as the longer list has names.
What happens with an odd number of people?
Choose whether the extra person joins a pair to make one group of three, or sits out the round. If they sit out, the round-robin schedule rotates who waits, so nobody sits out twice before everyone has had a turn and nobody has the same partner twice. A group of three does repeat partners over several rounds, because its third person also meets both members of the pair; with only three people it is the same group every round. The generator tells you how many pairs repeat.
Can I pair people from two different groups?
Yes. Switch to Two lists and paste each group separately. If the lists are different sizes, the extra people on the longer list wait that round and get a partner in a later one.
Is this different from the random team generator?
The team generator splits one list into any number of teams. This partner generator is built for pairs: it plans several rounds without repeats and can match two lists. For groups bigger than two, use the team generator.
Are the names saved or uploaded?
No. The names stay in this page while it is open. Nothing is stored or sent to a server.