How to use the random name picker
- Type the names in the list, one per line. You can also paste a column copied from Excel or Google Sheets.
- Click Spin the wheel (or the wheel itself).
- When the wheel stops, the picked name shows up right below it.
Your list is saved in your browser, so it’s still there next time you open the page.
Three ways to pick
- Wheel: picks one name at a time, with animation and sound. Tick Remove the picked name from the wheel so nobody gets picked twice.
- Pick several: draws several names at once, in random order. Handy for presentation order or for more than one prize.
- Make groups: splits the list into random groups. Choose the number of groups or how many people each group should have. Groups come out balanced: sizes differ by one person at most.
Ideas for the classroom
- Call on a student to answer or come to the board, so nobody feels singled out by the teacher.
- Set the order for presentations and reports.
- Make new groups and pairs for each activity.
- Choose the helper of the day.
- Use Full screen to show the wheel on the projector or classroom TV.
Is the draw fair?
Yes. The name is chosen by the browser’s cryptographic random number generator, the same kind used in digital security. Every name on the list has exactly the same chance. The wheel just animates to the name that was already picked.
If a name appears twice on the list, it has twice the chance. That’s useful when someone has more than one entry.
Frequently asked questions
Are the names stored on a server?
No. The list is saved only in your browser, on this device. Nobody else can see it.
How many names can the wheel hold?
There’s no limit. With very long lists the slices get too thin to show the names, but the draw still works and the picked name is shown as usual.
Can I use it for a giveaway?
For informal draws among friends or followers, yes. For business promotions with prizes, check the rules in your country or state, since some require registration or official procedures.
How do I remove a name that was already picked?
Tick Remove the picked name from the wheel before spinning, or delete the name from the list at any time.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes, in the browser on any phone or tablet, with nothing to install.