All tools
Wheel of names
Type a list of names and spin the wheel to pick one, fairly, in your browser. Keep your class or team's list on your device. Free, with no account or uploads.
Spin a wheel of names
Type or paste one name a line. The pick is drawn before the wheel moves, so the spin only shows it.
8 entries
Every pick is drawn by your browser’s cryptographic generator before the wheel moves. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.
A little help along the way
Follow these steps. Every option is explained underneath. Everything happens in your browser; nothing you type is sent anywhere.
- Type or paste your listOne entry a line: names, places to eat, chores. Shuffle, sort or clear it with the buttons under it.
- Say what you are doingPick one is the usual. Take turns takes each pick off the wheel, for an order with no repeats. Make teams shares everyone out. Secret Santa has everyone draw someone to give to.
- SpinPress Spin, the wheel itself, or Ctrl or ⌘ and Enter in the list. The pick is drawn first; the wheel only shows it.
- Read the resultThe pick is said in large letters. Take it off the wheel, spin again, or copy a link that carries the list.
Questions people ask
- Is the wheel of names really random?
- Yes. The name is drawn by your browser's cryptographic generator before the wheel moves, by rejection sampling so no name is favoured, and the wheel then turns to stop on it. Where inside the slice it stops is drawn too.
- Can I save my class list?
- Turn on “Keep my lists on this device” under More options and save the list by name. It stays in this browser only, and turning the switch off takes it away. You can also copy a link that carries the list.
- How many names can the wheel hold?
- Up to 1,000. Names show on their slices while they fit; with many names the slices are thin, but every one is on the wheel and as likely.
- Can I show it on a projector?
- Yes: the button in the corner of the wheel shows it full screen, with the Spin button under it.
This page is the Spin the wheel, opened for this one job; every other tool it has is one press away. Each of its settings is explained on the Spin the wheel's own page.
Read the step-by-step guideKeep going
Guides
- Wheel of names: how to pick a random name fairly
- Is a spin the wheel picker really random? How a fair one works
- How to prove a random draw or giveaway was fair
- Yes or no wheel: spin for an answer, and when to trust it
- Decision wheel: let a wheel decide when you can't
- Random name picker with no repeats: an order everyone sees
- Random team generator: fair teams, balanced by skill
- Secret Santa generator with no sign-up: draw names online