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How to seed a tournament bracket

Seeding is the difference between a great final and a wasted top match in round one. A short guide and the tool to apply it.

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Use case

When to use this

Anyone setting up a bracket who isn't sure which seed goes where. The guide explains the standard "top vs bottom" pattern; the tool applies it automatically.

How to use it

Step by step

  1. 1

    Order names by seed

    Top seed first, then 2, 3, …

  2. 2

    Generate

    Bracket places them across halves.

  3. 3

    Print

The principle

Top seeds should never meet until late. In an 8-team bracket: 1v8 and 4v5 in one half, 2v7 and 3v6 in the other. The 1 and 2 seeds can only meet in the final.

Where seeding info comes from

Last season's standings, current ranking points, head-to-head results, or a coach's gut. Any consistent source is better than none.

Random vs seeded

Random is fine for casual events. Seed when stakes are high or when fans expect the top two to meet at the end.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What about 6 teams (not a power of 2)?

Top 2 seeds get byes; seeds 3–6 play in round one. The tool places the byes automatically.

Keep exploring

Related tools & guides

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Want prettier prints? See the optional template pack