Subset Generator

What Subset Generator does

This tool enumerates all subsets (the power set) of a finite set of items you provide. You can enter up to 18 distinct text items, and the tool will output every possible subset, from the empty set to the full set, in a systematic order.

Worked example

For the input A,B,C, the tool outputs eight lines: {}, {A}, {B}, {C}, {A,B}, {A,C}, {B,C}, and {A,B,C}.

Calculation method

Each item is represented by an include/exclude bit. The tool iterates through all binary masks from 0 to 2ⁿ−1, where n is the number of items, and for each mask it includes the items whose corresponding bit is set. This produces the subsets in binary-mask order, starting with the empty set.

Input rules and limits

• Enter up to 18 distinct text items separated by commas, spaces, or line breaks.
• Each item may contain at most 100 characters; whitespace cannot be part of an item.
• Repeated items are rejected because a mathematical set cannot contain duplicates. Comparison is case-sensitive and does not normalize Unicode spelling.
• The page estimates output size and rejects requests above 10,000,000 characters. The 18-item limit may be reduced in practice when item labels are long.

Useful workflows

• Check a small teaching example and inspect intermediate results.
• Compare an independently calculated answer or software test fixture.
• Copy the result together with its input notation and selected options.

Limits and review checks

• Combinatorial problems can grow exponentially; the tool is intentionally size-limited.
• Confirm that your input items are distinct and correctly formatted before running.
• Output is plain text only; the tool does not generate combinations of a chosen size, permutations, or random subsets.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my input rejected?

Check that you have no duplicate items, that each item is at most 100 characters, and that you have not exceeded the 18-item limit. Also ensure that items are separated by commas, spaces, or line breaks, and that no item contains whitespace.

Can I generate subsets of a specific size?

No, this tool enumerates all subsets (the full power set). It does not support generating only combinations of a chosen size.

Can I use this result in a high-stakes decision?

Use the tool for learning and independent checks. Verify legal, financial, safety, or security decisions with an authoritative method and qualified reviewer.