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Random Name Picker

Paste a list of names and spin the wheel to pick a student, a winner or a turn order — fairly, with no repeats if you like, or split everyone into random groups. Full screen for the class projector.

Runs in your browser Free · no sign-up

At a glance

  • Spin a wheel of up to hundreds of names; the pointer stops on a winner chosen fairly with your device’s secure random generator — every name has the same chance.
  • Pick one or several names per spin, and remove picked names so nobody is chosen twice until everyone has had a turn.
  • Make groups: split the list into a number of groups or groups of a set size, as even as possible.
  • Paste names one per line or comma-separated, or open a .txt/.csv list; duplicates can be ignored.
  • Quick, normal or suspenseful spins with ticking sound and confetti, a full-screen view for projectors, and a history of picks.
  • Your list stays in your browser; it is saved on your device only if you turn on “Remember this list”.

Step by step

How to pick a random name

  1. 1

    Add the names

    Type or paste the names, one per line, or open a list file.

  2. 2

    Set the options

    Choose how many names to pick per spin, and turn on Remove picked names if no one should be picked twice.

  3. 3

    Spin

    Click Spin. The winner is shown when the wheel stops.

  4. 4

    Groups (optional)

    Switch to Make groups, choose the number of groups or people per group, and click Make groups.

Features

Everything you need, nothing you don’t

Fair every time

The winner is drawn with cryptographic randomness before the wheel stops — not by how the animation happens to land.

For the classroom

Choose who answers next, assign roles or decide presentation order — on the projector in full screen.

Giveaways and draws

Paste the entrant names, pick several winners at once and copy the results.

No repeats

Remove picked names to give everyone a turn, then put them all back with one click.

Random teams

Make balanced groups for projects and games in seconds, and shuffle again if needed.

Private

Students’ names are never uploaded, and no account is needed.

Is the wheel really random?

Yes. The winner is chosen with your browser’s cryptographically secure random number generator, using a method that gives every name exactly the same chance; the wheel then spins to that name. Animation speed or where you click makes no difference.

With Remove picked names on, each name is picked once before anyone is picked again — like drawing names from a hat without putting them back.

Ideas for teachers

Pick who answers a question, who reads next or who presents first. Make random groups for activities, then print a practice sheet for each group with the Worksheet Generator.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I pick a random name from a list?

Paste the names (one per line), then click Spin. The wheel stops on a randomly chosen name.

Can it pick more than one winner?

Yes. Set how many names to pick per spin — they’re all different names.

How do I stop the same name being picked twice?

Turn on Remove picked names. Picked names leave the wheel until you click Put everyone back.

Can it make random teams or groups?

Yes — open Make groups and choose either the number of groups or how many people per group. Group sizes differ by at most one.

How many names can I add?

Hundreds. With very many names the labels get small, but the pick works the same; use full screen for the clearest view.

Are the names saved or uploaded?

Never uploaded. They’re kept on your device only if you turn on “Remember this list on this device”.

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