What object places students into Hogwarts houses in the Harry Potter books?

The Sorting Hat places students into Hogwarts houses in the Harry Potter books. It is a sentient magical hat that examines a new student’s qualities and announces Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin during the Sorting Ceremony.

According to Hogwarts tradition, the hat originally belonged to Godric Gryffindor. After the four founders established the school’s houses, the hat was enchanted to continue sorting students after the founders were gone. Its songs also provide historical information and warnings about Hogwarts.

The Sorting Hat does not simply assign students by one fixed personality trait. Harry’s experience shows that personal choice can matter: the hat considers placing him in Slytherin, but Harry strongly wishes to avoid that house and is sorted into Gryffindor. The four houses are named after their founders.