For everyone who built something.

Participants, winners, mentors, judges. Give each group the right recognition, using your design and a reviewed recipient list. Certly makes personalized PDFs ready to download or send with Gmail.

Bring a CSV from your registration tool, or import a public Google Sheet. Use a role column for changing text and separate batches for different designs.

Generate Hackathon CertificatesFull visual guide

One layout for each kind of recognition.

Start with the people who took part. Group your list by role or recognition type.

  1. 1

    Collect registrations

    Use Google Forms, Devfolio, or any platform that exports CSV or connects to Google Sheets.

  2. 2

    Design your certificate template

    Create a hackathon certificate in Canva or Figma. Export as PNG or JPG with space for participant name and category.

  3. 3

    Import participant data

    Upload CSV or paste a public Google Sheets URL. Map name, email, and optional columns like team or track.

  4. 4

    Place fields and generate

    Place the columns on your design. Preview names of different lengths, then generate the PDFs on your device.

  5. 5

    Distribute via Gmail or ZIP

    Send certificates from your Gmail account in bulk, or download a ZIP to share via Discord, Slack, or email manually.

Works for all types of tech events

  • 24-hour hackathons — Generate winner, runner-up, and participation certificates in one session.
  • Coding competitions — Import results from HackerRank, LeetCode, or custom judge exports.
  • Multi-day tech fests — Run separate batches for each event track.
  • Online hackathons — Deliver certificates directly via Gmail to remote participants.
  • College club events — Free tool with no budget needed for student organizations.

How Certly compares for hackathon organizers

Comparison of hackathon certificate approaches
ApproachBulk generationPrivacyCost
Certly Personalized PDF batchesLocal PDFs; API for Sheets and GmailFree
Manual Canva editing One at a timeDesigns stored in CanvaFree tier limits
SaaS platforms (Certifier, etc.) Bulk via cloudData uploaded to vendorPaid tiers

When should you send hackathon certificates?

Set a delivery date after the results and attendance list are confirmed. A short wait for correct names is better than asking everyone to request a correction.

That deadline is easier to hit if you prepare during the event rather than after it. A few things worth doing while the hackathon is still running:

  • Export the roster before judging ends. Registration data is already final; only the results column is outstanding, so the import and field placement can be done in advance.
  • Add a role column from the start. Values such as Winner, Runner-up, Finalist, Participant and Mentor let you filter the same sheet into separate batches instead of maintaining several files.
  • Design templates before the weekend. Sponsor logos and signatures rarely change at the last minute; participant names do.
  • Verify the email column early. Typos in addresses collected at registration are the single most common reason a certificate never arrives, and they are easier to chase while people are still on site.
  • Decide who sends. Delivery comes from one organizer's Gmail account, so agree in advance whose address participants should see and reply to.

Running multiple certificate types

Most hackathons need at least three variants: participation for everyone, placement for the top teams, and recognition for mentors and judges. Keep one spreadsheet as the source of truth, filter it by role, and run a batch per template. Because generation is local and free, you can repeat the layout for each group. Remember the mentors and judges as well as the participants.

Questions / Answers

Hackathon certificate FAQ

Common questions from event organizers

Can I generate certificates for 500+ hackathon participants?

Yes, across multiple batches. Organize your recipient list into groups, then repeat with the rest of your list.

How do I get participant data from my hackathon registration form?

Export the final recipient list from your registration tool as CSV. Keep only the rows you intend to recognize; registration alone may not mean attendance.

Can I add different certificate types (winner, participant, mentor)?

Use a role column when the design stays the same. For a different winner or mentor design, make a separate batch with that template.

Is this suitable for MLH-partnered hackathons?

Certly generates standard PDF certificates. It does not integrate with MLH verification systems. For standard participation and winner certificates, it works perfectly.

Can multiple organizers use the same batch?

Currently, sessions are browser-local. Share the generated ZIP with co-organizers, or have them open the same public Google Sheet URL independently.

Recognize the work that went into it.

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