Bracket format
Preset12-Team Bracket
4-round single-elim, 11 matches total.
Free 12-team bracket generator. 4 top seeds get a first-round bye; the rest play in. Type teams in, score from there.
Walkthrough
How this format works
A worked 8-team single elimination bracket. Win and you move right, lose once and your run is over.
Build one step by step
From an empty editor to a finished, printable 12 teams bracket.
- 1
Add your teams
Type each team or player into the editor, or paste a whole list at once. Single elimination works for 4 up to 64 names.
- 2
Set the seeding
Order matters. Seed 1 should be your strongest team. The editor pairs seed 1 against the bottom seed, 2 against the next, so the top two can only meet in the final.
- 3
Generate the bracket
Hit Generate. If your team count is not a power of two, the top seeds get first-round byes automatically so the bracket still ends with one champion.
- 4
Score the games
Type a score into each match. The winner advances to the next round on its own, all the way to the final.
- 5
Print or share
Pick landscape or portrait, then print to PDF. Or save the bracket and share the link so everyone follows along.
About
About this format
12 teams gets the top 4 byes and a first round between seeds 5 and 12. Same shape as the new CFP. College Football Playoff, regional qualifiers, 12-club tournaments. Because 12 isn't a power of two, the bracket rounds up to 16 slots. The top 4 seeds get a bye into round 2, and the rest pair off in round 1. Seeding goes 1 vs the bottom seed, 2 vs the second-lowest, with the top two on opposite halves so they can only meet in the final.
Features
What you get
- 4-round single elimination
- 11 matches total
- 4 first-round byes for top seeds
- Optional third-place playoff for the semifinal losers
- Print or share the bracket link
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How many games in a 12-team single elim?
11 games, across 4 rounds. Single elim is always N-1 games. Every match eliminates one team until only one's left.
Do I have to use exactly 12 teams?
No. 12 is the default, but you can add or remove teams in the editor and the bracket re-sizes automatically.
Related bracket formats
Ready to build a 12 teams bracket?
Open the editor, customize teams and seeds, score matches as you play.
Open 12-team bracket maker