Random pairs
A fair shuffle: every possible pairing is equally likely. Odd number? One player is left as the spare.
Random pairs generator for padel
A random pairs generator for padel nights: paste the names and draw random pairs in a second, or balance them by level so every pair is even. Add a level after a name (e.g. “Ana 4.5”) to balance. Free, no sign-up.
Three ways to draw
Balanced pairs
Players are sorted by level and the strongest is paired with the weakest, the second strongest with the second weakest, and so on — pair totals come out as even as possible.
Courts by level
Groups of four by level: the top four on court 1, the next four on court 2. Inside each court, 1st + 3rd play 2nd + 4th, like a Mexicano round.
How the random draw works
Random pairs uses a proper shuffle (Fisher–Yates) seeded from your browser’s secure random numbers, then pairs the names in shuffled order: first with second, third with fourth, and so on. Every possible set of pairs has the same chance, and the order you typed the names in makes no difference. With an odd number, the last name in the shuffle is the spare. Tap Draw again for a fresh draw. Only your list and the draw type are remembered, in this browser.
How balanced pairs work
For balanced pairs, add a level after each name. The generator sorts everyone from strongest to weakest and pairs the ends: strongest with weakest, second strongest with second weakest, and so on. With the example list in the box, that gives Ana 4.5 + Javi 2.5, Sara 4 + Bea 2.9, Marta 3.8 + Luis 3 and Pablo 3.5 + Dani 3.2, so the pair totals are 7, 6.9, 6.8 and 6.7. Players without a level count as the group average. With an odd number, the player in the middle of the order is the spare. Players on the same level are shuffled first, so a balanced draw can still change each time.
Courts by level
Courts by level sorts the same way and deals groups of four: the top four on court 1, the next four on court 2. On each court 1st and 3rd play 2nd and 4th, which keeps the match even and is the default Mexicano pairing. Anyone left over is listed as a spare. Use it for a first round when you know the levels, or to start a Mexicano.
Which draw should I use?
Random when levels are similar or unknown, or when you want nobody to say the draw was fixed. Balanced for mixed-level groups and one-off tournaments where every pair should have a chance. Courts by level when you have several courts and want even matches from the first point. If the pairs stay together all night, take them straight into a Team Americano or a fixed-pairs doubles round robin. If a draw looks lopsided, tap Draw again before anyone has seen it, or switch to Balanced.
Beyond padel
The draw only needs a list of names, so it also works as a random pairs generator for tennis or pickleball doubles, a club social or a quiz night. Levels are just numbers: use any scale, as long as everyone uses the same one. Many padel clubs use the Playtomic scale from 0 to 7.
Next step: Americano generator · Round robin generator · how to organise an Americano
Frequently asked questions
How do I make balanced padel pairs?
Add each player’s level after their name, for example “Ana 4.5”, and choose Balanced pairs. The strongest player is paired with the weakest, the second strongest with the second weakest, and so on, so the pairs end up as even as possible.
What level scale should I use?
Any numbers work as long as everyone uses the same scale. Many clubs use the Playtomic scale from 0 to 7.
What if we are an odd number?
One player is left over as the spare. Draw again or rotate the spare in for the next match.
Can I use the pairs in a Team Americano?
Yes. After the draw, use the Team Americano button to open the generator with these pairs already filled in.
Is the random draw really random?
Yes. It shuffles the list with a seed from your browser’s secure random numbers, then pairs first with second, third with fourth. Every set of pairs has the same chance, whatever order you typed the names in.
Can I use it for tennis, pickleball or anything else?
Yes. It only needs a list of names, so it works for tennis or pickleball doubles, a club social or picking quiz partners. Levels can be any numbers, as long as everyone uses the same scale.
Can I send the pairs to the group chat?
Yes. Copy for WhatsApp puts the numbered pairs, or the courts with who plays whom, into a message ready to paste into the group.