What is the list randomizer?
The list randomizer shuffles your items into a random order using an unbiased Fisher-Yates shuffle.
Paste one item per line, press Randomize and copy the new order, or split the list into random groups.
How to use the list randomizer
Paste or type your list, one item per line.
Leave Split into groups at 0 for a single shuffled list, or enter a number to make groups.
Press Randomize list.
Copy the result, or press again for a fresh shuffle.
How a fair shuffle works
Shuffling sounds simple, but many quick methods are biased. Sorting by a random number, for example, can favour some orders. This list randomizer uses the Fisher-Yates shuffle (also called the Knuth shuffle). It walks backwards through the list, swapping each item with a randomly chosen earlier position, which gives every possible order exactly the same chance.
The random positions come from your browser's cryptographic generator. Combined with Fisher-Yates, that makes the shuffle unbiased and hard to predict.
The optional group split deals the shuffled list into groups one item at a time, like cards. Group sizes never differ by more than one. If you need rules such as keeping two people apart, use the random team generator instead.
Practical ways to use a shuffled list
A random order solves many small fairness problems. Who presents first, which order to review applications, how to rotate a reading group, or which songs to play: whenever order matters and nobody should choose it, a shuffle is quick and neutral.
Teachers often shuffle student names once per term to create presentation slots, then publish the list so students can prepare. Researchers use random orders to reduce bias when reviewing samples. Event organisers randomise speaker order so no one feels favoured by being first or last.
Splitting into groups is just as useful. Paste the class list, enter the number of groups, and you get balanced teams ready to copy into a slide. If certain people must be kept apart or together, the team generator handles those rules.
Common mistakes when randomising
Reshuffling until you like the result defeats the purpose. Shuffle once, announce that it's final, and share the order. Leaving duplicates or blank lines in the list can skew results, so clean the list first. And remember that a random order isn't automatically a fair one when people have different needs: build in adjustments where they're agreed, then randomise the rest.
For recurring rotations, keep the previous order and avoid starting with the same person twice in a row. You can move last time's first person to the end before shuffling, or use the wheel's Fair Rotation for automatic balancing.
Finally, keep the output somewhere safe. A shuffled order you published yesterday is only useful if you can show it again today, especially for presentation slots or review queues.
Key terms explained
Fisher-Yates shuffle
An algorithm that produces every ordering with equal probability.
Permutation
One possible ordering of a list. A list of 10 items has 3,628,800.
Round-robin dealing
Assigning items to groups one at a time in turn, like dealing cards.
Bias
Any tendency for some results to appear more often than they should.
Stable order
An order that stays fixed once published, so everyone can plan around it.
Everyday uses for a shuffled list
Randomise the order of quiz questions so each class gets a different version. Shuffle a reading list so you don't always start with the same author. Mix up a playlist order without a music app. Set the running order for a talent show or open mic. Randomise survey options to reduce order bias. Decide the order teams present in a pitch competition. Each shuffle uses the browser's cryptographic random generator, so every order is equally likely.
List Randomizer features
Unbiased shuffle
Fisher-Yates with cryptographic randomness.
Group splitting
Turn one list into balanced random groups.
Any list length
From a handful of items to thousands of lines.
Numbered output
Results are listed in order, ready to copy.
Private
Your list is never uploaded or saved.
Instant
Shuffles happen immediately, even for long lists.
Popular uses
Presentation and speaking order
Shuffle names for a fair running order.
Study and revision
Randomise flashcards or quiz questions.
Playlists and reading lists
Mix up songs or books.
Sampling
Pick a random order to review survey responses or test cases.
Tips and best practices
- Remove blank lines and duplicates first for clean results.
- For one winner instead of an order, use the random name picker wheel.
- Use groups for quick breakout rooms.
- Shuffle once and share the result, rather than reshuffling until you like it.
- For pair rules, use the team generator.
- Keep a copy of the result if order matters later.
Related tools: random team generator, random name picker, no-repeat wheel, random student picker, or go back to the main spin the wheel page.
List Randomizer FAQs
Is the shuffle unbiased?
Yes. Fisher-Yates with cryptographic randomness gives every order the same chance.
Can I make groups?
Set the group count to 2 or more.
Is my list stored anywhere?
No. It stays on the page only.
Is the list randomizer truly random?
It uses an unbiased Fisher-Yates shuffle with cryptographic randomness.
Can I split my list into teams?
Yes. Enter a group count above 1.
Are groups equal in size?
Sizes differ by one at most.
Is my list saved?
No. It exists only on this page.
How long can my list be?
Thousands of lines work well.
Can I randomize numbers?
Yes. Any text or numbers, one per line.
What's the difference between this and the wheel?
The wheel picks one item at a time, while the randomizer orders the whole list at once.
Can I remove duplicates?
Use Dedupe on any wheel, or tidy the list before pasting.
Can I copy the shuffled list?
Yes. Select the results and copy them anywhere.
Is every order equally likely?
Yes, Fisher-Yates gives each possible order the same probability.
Can I shuffle numbers 1 to 30?
Yes. Type or paste the numbers one per line and press Randomize.
Can I randomise a list of tasks?
Yes, any text works, including tasks, songs or questions.
Does the randomizer remove blank lines?
Yes. Empty lines are ignored automatically.
Is the list randomizer free?
Yes. It's free, needs no sign-up and runs entirely in your browser.