About this list randomizer
Putting a list in random order is useful for choosing who presents first, assigning tasks, ordering a playlist or quiz questions, or making fair teams. This randomizer uses the Fisher–Yates shuffle, which walks through the list and swaps each item with a randomly chosen one, giving every possible order exactly the same chance. The random numbers come from your browser’s cryptographic generator. Empty lines are ignored and spaces around each item are trimmed. Shuffling more than once does not make the result fairer, but some people like the extra rounds for peace of mind.
How to randomize a list
- Paste your list. Put one item on each line, or press an example.
- Choose the options. Pick how many times to Shuffle and tick Number the results if you want 1, 2, 3 in front of each item.
- Press Shuffle list. Copy or download the new order, or press the button again for another one.
Frequently asked questions
Is the shuffle really fair?
Yes. The Fisher–Yates algorithm gives every possible order exactly the same probability, and the random numbers come from the Web Crypto generator, which has no predictable pattern.
Does shuffling several times help?
Mathematically no: one Fisher–Yates shuffle is already perfectly random. The extra rounds are offered for people who want them, and they never make the result less fair.
What happens to duplicate items?
They are kept. If a name appears twice in your list, it appears twice in the result. The Different items count shows how many unique entries there are.
How can I split the list into teams?
Shuffle with numbering on, then take items 1 to 4 for the first team, 5 to 8 for the second, and so on. Because the order is random, the teams are random too.