Put a | between the two sides. A tab works too, so you can paste two columns from a spreadsheet. An emoji prints as a black-and-white picture.
Making the PDF…
About the matching worksheet maker
A matching worksheet has two columns. Each item on the left belongs to one item on the right, but the right column is in a different order. Kids find the pairs and draw a line between them, or write the letter of the right answer in a box.
Type your pairs, one per line, with a | between the two sides: enormous | very big. The tool mixes the right column, numbers the left side 1, 2, 3 and letters the right side A, B, C, and makes a PDF. The answer key is the same sheet with the lines or the letters drawn in red.
Everything is made in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, and there is no sign-up.
Features
- Any pairs — word and meaning, question and answer, English and French, country and capital
- Never on the same row — no pair is printed straight across from its match
- Two ways to answer — draw a line between two dots, or write a letter in a box
- Answer key — the same page with the answers in red, easy to lay next to a sheet
- Many pairs — up to 60, split evenly over pages of 5 to 15 pairs
- 5 styles — Classic, Minimal, Cards, Playful and Notebook, in 14 colour sets
- Your own headings and instructions, US Letter or A4
Never a free answer
When a list is mixed by chance, some pairs often end up on the same row — and a child gets that answer for free. With 10 pairs, a plain shuffle leaves at least one pair on its own row about 63 times in 100.
This tool mixes the right column again until no pair sits on its own row. Mathematicians call such a mix a *derangement*. It also never leaves one pair alone on a page: 11 pairs with 10 per page become 6 and 5, not 10 and 1.
Lines or letters?
| Way to answer | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Draw a line between dots | A dot after each left item and before each right item | Young children, few pairs, a quick check |
| Write the letter in a box | A box before each left item, a letter before each right item | Older children, long lists, fast marking |
Letters are faster to mark: compare the boxes with the key from top to bottom. Lines are more fun for small children, but a page full of crossing lines is hard to check, so keep line sheets to about 8 pairs.
Ideas for pairs
- Vocabulary — fragile | easy to break
- Languages — dog | der Hund
- Science — Mars | the red planet
- History — 1492 | Columbus reaches the Americas
- Math — 7 × 8 | 56
- Opposites — hot | cold
- Pictures — type an emoji on the left: 🐶 | dog. It prints as a black-and-white picture
Frequently asked questions
Can a pair end up on the same row?
No. The right column is mixed so that no item sits straight across from its partner. If you also tick Mix the left column too, both columns are mixed and the rule still holds.
How many pairs can I use?
Up to 60. Choose 5 to 15 pairs per page. A long list goes over several pages, and every page is its own matching exercise.
Can I paste from a spreadsheet?
Yes. Copy two columns from a spreadsheet and paste them. The tab between the columns works the same as a |.
Why did one of my lines not show up?
A line needs both sides. A line without a | or a tab, or with nothing on one side, is left out. The status line tells you how many.
How does the answer key look?
It is the same page, with a red line between each pair, or the right letter in red in each box. Tick Answer key at the end to add it.
Is it free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark. Your pairs are saved only in this browser.
Related tools
- Quiz Maker — multiple choice and short answer quizzes
- Word Scramble Maker — mixed-up letters to put back in order
- Printable Flashcards — the same pairs as flashcards
- Crossword Maker — a crossword from words and clues
- Bubble Answer Sheet Maker — answer sheets for a multiple choice test
How to use it
- Type a title
- Type your pairs, one per line: left | right
- Change the column headings and the instructions if you like
- Choose how kids answer: lines between dots, or letters in boxes
- Choose the pairs per page, a style, the colours and the paper
- Press Mix again for a new order
- Press Print or Download PDF
