How to use
- Paste the names, one per line. For alternating seating, choose “Alternate two groups” and fill in both lists.
- Set the rows, the seats per row and where the aisles go.
- Press Shuffle seats. Tap two seats to swap them, and tap 📌 to keep a student in place the next time you shuffle.
- Download the chart as a PDF (A4 landscape) or as an Excel file.
Options explained
- Alternate two groups
- Seats are filled like a chessboard, so the students in front, behind and beside each other come from different groups. If one group is larger, the extra students fill the remaining seats.
- Pinned seats
- Pinned students stay where they are when you shuffle — useful for students who need to sit near the front or the door.
- Leave empty seats in the back rows
- With fewer students than seats, the front rows are filled first. Untick it to spread empty seats at random.
- Teacher’s view
- Turns the chart around so the front of the room is at the bottom, as the teacher sees the class from the desk.
Common classroom layouts
| Room | Rows × seats | Aisles | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pairs of desks | 6 × 6 | Every 2 seats | 36 |
| Larger class in pairs | 6 × 8 | Every 2 seats | 48 |
| Groups of three | 5 × 6 | Every 3 seats | 30 |
| Single desks in rows | 5 × 6 | Every seat | 30 |
Ideas for changing seats
- Shuffle every few weeks so students work with different classmates.
- Pin students with sight or hearing needs near the front before you shuffle.
- For group work, set the aisle width to the group size — each block between aisles becomes a group.
Frequently asked questions
Is the shuffle really random?
Yes. Each shuffle starts from a fresh number from your browser’s secure random number generator, so nobody can predict or pick the result. Only pinned seats stay put.
Can I seat students in a set order, such as by height?
Yes. Put the names in the order you want and press Seat in list order. Seats fill from the front row to the back, left to right.
How do I keep two students apart?
Pin them in seats far from each other, then shuffle the rest. You can also swap any two seats by tapping one and then the other.
Are the names uploaded?
No. Everything happens in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere.
Privacy
This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files and text are processed on your device and are never uploaded to our servers.