SpinFair › Random Name Picker

Random Name Picker

Paste your list of names, spin, and pick a name at random. Turn on no repeats to draw names one by one until everyone has had a turn.

Fair pick: winner chosen by crypto.getRandomValues before the wheel moves

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Results

    A fair way to pick a random name

    Picking names out of a hat is slow, and people often think the result was set up in advance. SpinFair's random name picker does the same job in one click, and everyone can watch it happen. Paste your list, press spin, and the wheel lands on a name that was chosen with equal odds for everyone.

    How to pick a random name from a list

    1. Paste or type your names into the Entries box, one per line. A column copied from Excel, Google Sheets, a register or a sign-up form works fine.
    2. To draw several names without repeats, tick Remove winner after each spin.
    3. Press SPIN. The chosen name appears in a pop-up and is added to the Results list in the order it was drawn.
    4. Keep spinning to draw more names. The Results list becomes your random order, which is handy for presentations or turn-taking.

    Picking more than one name

    For 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, or a random order for the whole group, use no-repeat mode and spin once for each place. Each spin is a new fair draw from the names that are left, which is the same as drawing names from a hat one at a time.

    Need to split everyone into groups instead? The random team generator shuffles your list and builds balanced teams in one step.

    How SpinFair keeps every spin fair

    Most wheel sites use Math.random(), which is fine for games but isn't built for fairness. SpinFair picks the winner with crypto.getRandomValues(), the same cryptographic random source browsers use to make passwords and security keys. We also use rejection sampling, so every entry gets exactly the same chance, with no small bias towards the first items on the list.

    The winner is chosen before the wheel starts moving, and the animation simply lands on it. Spin speed, how hard you click or when you click can't change the result. Nobody can rig it, including us: your entries stay in your browser and are never sent to a server.

    Who uses a random name picker?

    • Teachers picking students to answer, read aloud or come to the board, so everyone gets a turn.
    • Giveaway hosts drawing a winner from entries or comments, with a pop-up result that's easy to screenshot.
    • Team leads choosing who runs the next meeting, who reviews code, or who goes first.
    • Families and friends deciding whose turn it is to cook, wash up, or choose the movie.
    • Clubs and events running door-prize draws, Secret Santa or lucky draws.

    Tips for a smooth draw

    • Put each name on its own line. Blank lines are ignored.
    • Use Shuffle to mix up the order shown on the wheel. It doesn't change anyone's odds, but it looks fairer to an audience.
    • If two people share a name, add a surname or initial (for example "Ali K." and "Ali R.").
    • Use Share link to send the exact list to a colleague, or to show participants who was on the wheel.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do I pick a random name without repeats?

    Tick Remove winner after each spin. Each name that's picked is taken off the wheel, so every spin draws from the names that are left.

    Can I pick multiple random names at once?

    Spin once for each name you need, with no-repeat turned on. The Results list shows every name in the order it was picked, so you get a random order for the whole group.

    Can I paste names from Excel or Google Sheets?

    Yes. Copy a column of names and paste it into the Entries box. Each cell becomes one entry.

    Is the random name picker fair?

    Yes. Every name has exactly equal odds, using your browser's cryptographic random generator. The winner is chosen before the wheel spins, so the animation can't affect it.

    Are the names I enter stored on your server?

    No. Your list stays in your browser and is saved only on your device. Nothing is uploaded.

    What's the maximum number of names?

    You can add up to 1,000 names.

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