FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about chatting on rand.chat.
Is rand.chat free?
Yes. Text, voice, and video chat and every chat room are completely free. There is no paid tier.
Do I need an account to chat?
No. When you arrive you get a friendly guest handle (like "Quiet Otter") and can start chatting right away. An account is only needed to create your own chat rooms, invite specific people into a private room, or keep track of people you have met.
How does random matching work?
Pick text, voice, or video and you join a queue of people waiting for the same kind of chat. You are paired with the next available person. If you add interests, we try to match you with someone who shares one first, but you will never be kept waiting just because nobody shares your interests.
What is the difference between text, voice, and video chat?
Text chat is messages only, with no camera or microphone needed. Voice chat is a live audio call with a text panel alongside it. Video chat is a live camera-to-camera call, also with text. Your browser will ask for camera or microphone permission before a voice or video chat starts.
Can I skip to someone new?
Yes. Press Next at any time to end the current chat and get matched with someone else. You will not be paired with the person you skipped again.
What are chat rooms?
Chat rooms are group conversations. Public rooms are listed in the room directory, including rooms for cities, states, countries, sports teams, and movies. Private rooms are unlisted and only reachable by invite. Anyone can join a room, with or without an account.
How many people can be in a video room?
Video rooms hold up to six people at once, all on camera together. Text rooms can be larger.
Can I create my own chat room?
Yes, with a free account. Registered users can create public or private text and video rooms and invite people to them.
Are video and voice chats recorded?
No. Calls connect directly between browsers whenever possible, and all audio and video is encrypted in transit. When a direct connection is not possible, a relay server passes the encrypted stream along without being able to see or hear it. We do not record calls.
What if someone is rude or abusive?
Every message can be reported, and messages are automatically screened for abusive content. Repeated violations or multiple reports lead to a temporary mute. In a one-on-one chat you can also block the other person, which ends the chat and means you will never be matched with them again.
Can I chat with people who speak another language?
Yes. Any message can be translated into your language with one click, right in the chat.
What happens to my guest profile?
Guest profiles are temporary. They and their one-on-one chats are cleared out automatically. Create a free account if you want to keep your rooms and the people you have met.