Random name picker and list randomizer
Paste your names, pick a mode, click: the random name picker draws winners with no repeats, shuffles the order or splits fair teams – free, no sign-up.
Source: W3C Recommendation, W3C Web Cryptography API – getRandomValues(). Updated: .
How it is calculated
How it works
- Paste the names into the text box – one per line, or on one line separated by commas. A spreadsheet column can be pasted straight in.
- Choose a mode: Draw winners, Shuffle order or Make teams.
- Press "Draw now". "Copy result" puts the result on your clipboard for a group chat or email.
The picker has three modes – all using the same fair source of randomness, crypto.getRandomValues() in your browser:
- Draw winners: k different entries are drawn from n, without repeats. Every entry has the same chance k ÷ n – with 30 participants and 3 winners that is 10%.
- Shuffle order: the whole list is shuffled with the Fisher-Yates algorithm. Each of the n! possible orders is equally likely – 40,320 of them for 8 names. Ideal for presentations, introductions or turn order in games.
- Make teams: the list is shuffled and dealt out to the teams in turn, so team sizes differ by at most one person: 23 names in 4 teams gives 6, 6, 6 and 5.
A random name generator, list randomizer and team generator in one
Whatever you paste – names, tasks, raffle tickets – the same list can serve three jobs: pick winners like a random name generator, put entries in a new order as a list randomizer, or use "Make teams" for quick class groups. For team sizes, team names and skill-balanced teams, use the random team generator.
Run a transparent giveaway
For giveaways or classroom draws, transparency helps: paste the list, share the link via “Share” (it carries the list after the # sign, which is not sent to the server), then draw together. Everyone can check that all names were included. With "Remove drawn names from the list" you can run several rounds without anyone winning twice.
Secret Santa draw
For Secret Santa, use "Shuffle order" and read the result as a circle: each person gives to the next one in the list, and the last gives to the first. Nobody draws themselves and everyone gets exactly one gift. With the order Ben, Emma, Anna, Finn, Clara, David, Ben gives to Emma, Emma to Anna … and David to Ben. Note that anyone looking at the screen sees the pairs – for a secret draw with private links and excluded couples, use the Secret Santa generator.
Assign tasks at random
To match names to tasks – presentation topics, chores, starting positions – write the tasks down in a fixed order and shuffle only the names. The first name gets the first task, the second the second, and so on. Because every order is equally likely, every assignment is equally fair.
Duplicate entries
If a name appears twice, it has double the chance – intended for raffles with multiple tickets, otherwise a mistake. The picker warns you as soon as an entry appears more than once.
Prefer suspense and animation? The wheel does the same, with weighting too.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pick a winner from a list?
Paste the list (one name per line or separated by commas), choose "Draw winners", count 1, then "Draw now". Every name has exactly the same chance.
How are teams made?
The names are shuffled randomly and then dealt out in turn. All teams are the same size or differ by at most one person. Each run creates new teams.
Can I use this as a random name generator or team generator?
Yes. "Draw winners" works as a random name generator for picking one or more names from your list, and "Make teams" works as a team generator that splits the same list into balanced groups.
Are my names stored anywhere?
Not on our server. The draw runs entirely in your browser; the list is only remembered there, so it is back on your next visit, and it is not part of the address. Only when you click “Share” is a link created that carries the list after the # sign – whoever receives that link can see the names.
How many names can I enter?
Up to 500 entries. For spreadsheet lists simply copy the column and paste it – each cell becomes one line.
Can I pick names with no repeats?
Yes. Within one draw no name is picked twice. For several rounds in a row, switch on "Remove drawn names from the list" – winners stay out until you press "Put removed names back".
Can I pick multiple winners at once?
Yes. Enter the number under "How many to draw?" – anything from 1 up to the number of names in the list. All winners are different people.
Can I use it for Secret Santa?
Yes, with "Shuffle order": each person gives to the next one in the shuffled list and the last gives to the first, so nobody draws themselves. Here the result is visible on screen – for a secret draw with personal links use the Secret Santa generator.
Sources and legal basis
- W3C Recommendation: W3C Web Cryptography API – getRandomValues()
- MDN Web Docs – Crypto.getRandomValues()
- Fisher–Yates shuffle (Durstenfeld 1964)
As of: · Editorial policy
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