Step-by-step instructions
Prepare the participant list
Enter everyone once using unique labels. Confirm the final attendance before assigning groups.
Choose the maximum size
Enter the largest acceptable group size. The tool calculates how many groups are needed and spreads people across them.
Generate the groups
Select Make groups, check the resulting headcounts, and share the list with a meeting point or activity instruction.
Worked example
Eleven students work in groups of no more than four. The teacher has confirmed that any listed combination is suitable.
One valid result is shown below. Your generated outcome will vary.
Example input
Alex Jamie Morgan Taylor Sam Jordan Casey Riley Drew Avery Robin
Example result
Group 1 1. Robin 2. Riley 3. Jordan 4. Morgan Group 2 1. Alex 2. Taylor 3. Jamie 4. Sam Group 3 1. Avery 2. Drew 3. Casey
The tool makes three balanced groups: four, four, and three. It does not assign group roles or select learning materials.
Prepare the activity for the smallest group too
A task needing four simultaneous roles may require adjustment for a three-person group. Decide how a role can be combined before drawing. Assign clear group labels and locations, and keep the saved result available while students settle. Random groups do not automatically balance prior knowledge or meet individual support requirements.
Settings and limits to check
The example has 11 retained entries. The maximum is a ceiling, not a promise that every group will reach that size. The tool uses enough groups to respect the ceiling and balances their headcounts. For example, nine people with a maximum of four form three groups of three rather than two groups of four and one single person. Choose a maximum from 2 to 100.
Settings used in this example
Maximum group size: 4 Remove duplicate entries: On
Keep a usable copy of the result
Use Copy to place the current result in your own notes, or Download to keep a text file. Keep the eligible input list with the result when you need to explain which entries took part. A new generation replaces the displayed result rather than adding to a saved history.
The tool runs in your browser and does not upload your input. Save the result before refreshing or leaving the page. If other people need to use the same outcome, share your saved copy rather than asking them to generate another independent result.
Frequently asked questions
Can I force every group to contain exactly four students?
Only a roster divisible by four can do that while including everyone. Otherwise allow smaller groups or change the activity plan.
Can groups be smaller than my chosen maximum?
Yes. They are balanced while staying at or below the maximum. A maximum of four does not force every group to have four people.
How do I request an exact number of groups?
Use Team Generator, which takes a team count and balances the participant list across that many teams.
What should I check in the worked example?
The tool makes three balanced groups: four, four, and three. It does not assign group roles or select learning materials.