How to pick a random name
- Paste or type the names in the entry box, one name per line. You can copy a column straight from a spreadsheet, and each cell lands on its own line.
- Check the count above the box to make sure everyone is in.
- Press Spin. The picked name shows in a pop-up.
- To pick another person without repeats, press Remove and spin again.
Tidy your list first
Lists copied from emails or sign-up sheets are often messy. Press Remove duplicates to drop names that appear more than once. It ignores capital letters, so “sam” and “Sam” count as the same person. Press Sort A–Z if you want to check the list by eye. Blank lines are ignored, so you do not need to delete them.
If two people share a first name, add a last initial, such as Sam K and Sam T. Otherwise Remove duplicates would treat them as one person.
Picking more than one name
Need three volunteers, or first, second and third place? Spin once, press Remove and spin again, and repeat until you have enough names. Each pick comes from the names still on the wheel. The Results tab lists every pick in order, and you can copy the whole list when you are done.
When to use a name picker
- Choosing who speaks first in a meeting or a team check-in.
- Picking a reader, a helper or a team captain.
- Setting the order of turns for a game.
- Drawing names for a gift swap. Pick one name at a time and remove each one as you go.
- Deciding who gets to choose the restaurant, the film or the music.
Teachers may prefer the classroom name picker, which comes with class jobs and brain breaks. To split people into groups instead of picking one, use the random team generator.
Better than names in a hat
Drawing names from a hat works, but only the person holding the hat can see the draw. A wheel of names on a shared screen lets everyone see every step: the list, the spin and the result. That is why it is popular for team meetings, online classes and live streams. Press Full screen before you start, so the names are big enough for everyone to read.
Show everyone the same wheel
If people want to check the list before the draw, press Share link and send it to them. They see the same names on the same wheel. You can also put the wheel on a big screen with Full screen, so everyone watches the pick happen live.
Fair and private
Each pick uses your browser’s secure random number generator, and every name has exactly the same chance. Names are never sent to us: the list stays in your browser unless you choose to share a link.