Draw names online with pair exclusions
Set the pairs that must not be matched, then let the generator find a complete assignment for the whole group. It is useful for couples, household members and avoiding last year’s matches.
How exclusions work in a name draw
An exclusion tells the algorithm that two selected people cannot be matched. The generator respects every rule while still assigning exactly one recipient to every participant.
- 01
Add the event and names
Give the draw a recognizable name and enter one participant per line. You do not need phone numbers, email addresses or user accounts.
- 02
Add only necessary exclusions
Block couples, people from the same household or repeated matches. Too many rules can make a complete draw impossible, so the form checks the setup before saving it.
- 03
Share individual results
The organizer receives a separate, unguessable address for every participant. Send it through the messenger your group already uses; each person sees only their own recipient.
- 04
Collect wishes and settle details
Participants can add wishlist items and links. Polls and announcements help agree on a budget, date or place without revealing the assignment.
Fair rules without revealing the draw
Family and friends
Keep partners or people sharing a household from drawing each other, while leaving the rest of the group random.
Workplace and teams
Avoid manager–direct report matches or repeat pairs from a previous edition without publishing the full assignment list.
Remote groups
Private links work in a browser, so participants can join from different cities or countries and keep their result close at hand.
Questions before the draw
Is the generator really free?
Yes. Creating a draw, sharing private links, wishlists, pair exclusions, polls and announcements are available without payment.
Do participants need to register?
No. The organizer shares an individual link with each person. No participant account or email address is required.
Can exclusions make a draw impossible?
Yes, if the rules leave someone with no possible recipient. The generator detects this and asks the organizer to remove a conflicting exclusion instead of producing an incomplete result.
Can the organizer see all assignments?
The password-protected organizer panel provides the links needed to distribute and manage the draw. Each participant’s page reveals only that person’s recipient.
