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Random pickers and timers

Random name picker

Paste a list of names and draw one or several at a time. Drawn names can leave the list so nobody is picked twice. The result shows big, ready for a projector or a live stream. It all runs in your browser; the names go nowhere.

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How to use it

  1. Enter one name per line: paste a column from Excel or Google Sheets, or open a .txt or .csv file.
  2. Choose how many to draw at a time and press "Draw" or Space. The names roll briefly, then stop on the result.
  3. With "Remove the drawn" on, a drawn name stays out until you press "Start over", which suits several prize rounds. With it off, everyone can come up every time, which suits picking who answers next.

Is it fair?

The draw uses your browser's cryptographic random generator, every name still in the list has the same chance, and the result is decided before the names start rolling (the roll is only a show). One draw of several never takes the same line twice, so a name typed on two lines has two chances.

For a spinning wheel on screen, try the wheel spinner; for a gift swap where nobody draws themselves, the Secret Santa generator.

Good to know

Your names stay on your device

Everything runs in your browser. The names are not uploaded anywhere and not stored in the browser. The site only counts that the page was opened and that a result was made, never the names or the result (you can turn counting off at the bottom of the site; see the privacy policy).

Report a problem or suggest an idea

Want the picker to do more? Tell us on the feedback page.

More random pickers and timers

Questions and answers

Can I pick several names at once?

Yes. Set how many, and choose no repeats (picked names leave the list) or repeats allowed. Handy for drawing several winners on a live stream.

What happens to names already drawn?

With no repeats, drawn names leave the pool for this session and go to the history, which you can copy. Start over to put every name back.

Can I use it to pick students in class?

Yes. Paste the class list once and pick one at a time: names roll briefly and stop in big letters. Go full screen on a projector, and save the list as a file for next lesson.