Random Name Picker
Names (0)
Picked
How to Use
Paste or type names into the input area, one per line (commas and semicolons also work as separators). Choose how many to pick and whether repeats are allowed, then press "Pick again" whenever you want a fresh selection. The picks update automatically as you edit the list, and the current selection is saved in the URL so you can share it.
Why a Random Picker
A random picker removes bias from selection. When you need to choose fairly — a student to answer a question, a winner for a giveaway, a team order for a game — picking by hand tends to favor names you remember or see first. A uniform random picker gives every name an equal chance, and the selection is easy to justify because the process is mechanical and repeatable.
How Picking Works
Without repeats, the tool performs a random sample without replacement: each name can appear at most once in the result, and the number of picks is capped at the list size. With repeats enabled, the tool picks independently each round, so the same name can appear multiple times — useful for dice-style or weighted-style scenarios. Randomness comes from the browser's built-in `Math.random`, which is uniform across the available items.
Common Use Cases
- Teachers picking students for cold calls, group leaders, or presentation order.
- Social media giveaways, raffles, and contest winner selection.
- Splitting a group into teams or assigning roles fairly.
- Deciding order of play for games, tournaments, or code reviews.
- Choosing restaurants, movies, or activities from a shortlist when the group can't decide.
Tips
- Press "Pick again" multiple times if the first result feels off — every new draw is independent.
- Enable repeats when you want a sample *with* replacement (e.g. picking a random name for each of 10 rounds).
- Disable repeats to split a group into unique picks (e.g. draft order).
- Names can be any text — email addresses, product IDs, ticket numbers, or items — not just personal names.
- The list and settings are saved in the URL, so you can bookmark or share the exact picker you set up.
Privacy
All random selection happens in your browser. The names you enter are never sent to any server or stored anywhere.
FAQ
What is the difference between picking with and without repeats?
Without repeats is sampling without replacement: each name can appear at most once and the pick count is capped at the list size. With repeats picks independently each round, so the same name can appear multiple times — good for dice-style or per-round draws.
Is the draw actually fair, or are some names favored?
Selection uses the browser's built-in Math.random and is uniform across the available items. There is none of the bias of hand-picking the names you happen to remember — every entry gets an equal chance.
Is the list of names I enter sent to a server?
All random selection happens in your browser, and the names are never sent to or stored on a server. Note, though, that for convenience the list and settings are saved in the URL, so be mindful of where you share that link.
How many names can I add, and which separators work?
There is no practical limit — add as many names as you need. Enter one per line, or use commas and semicolons as separators, so you can bulk-paste an existing list as-is.
Can I use it for things other than personal names, like product IDs or tickets?
Yes. Entries do not have to be names — they can be email addresses, product IDs, ticket numbers, or any options. It works for raffles, team splits, winner selection, and many other uses.