Quick answer. Type or paste your names, one per line, then press Spin (or the space bar). When the wheel stops, choose Remove to take the winner off the wheel for the next draw, or Keep to leave everyone in.
How to use the random name picker
- Add your entries. One name, task or option per line. Blank lines are ignored, and the wheel redraws as you type.
- Spin. Press the Spin button, click the wheel, or press the space bar. The wheel speeds off and slows down smoothly before it stops.
- Read the winner. A pop-up shows the result and it is added to the “Winners this session” list, so you have a record of every draw.
- Remove or keep. For a raffle or a reading order, remove each winner so nobody is picked twice. For a “what’s for dinner” style decision, keep everything in.
Ideas for the wheel
| Use | What to paste | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Classroom cold-calling | Student names | Use Remove so every student gets a turn before anyone repeats. |
| Giveaway or raffle | Entrant names or usernames | Go fullscreen while screen-sharing so viewers see the spin live. |
| Team meetings | Who speaks first, who takes notes | Shuffle the list first, then spin for the order. |
| Decisions | Restaurants, films, chores | Give the favourite a weight, such as Biryani *2. |
| Games and prizes | Prizes, dares or questions | Turn sound on for the ticking effect. |
Is the wheel really random?
Yes. Many simple spinners use Math.random(), which is fine for games but is not designed for fairness. This wheel picks the winner first with crypto.getRandomValues(), the same cryptographic random source browsers use for security keys, and uses rejection sampling so no entry gets even a tiny head start from rounding. The spin animation is then aimed at the chosen slice. The stopping point inside the slice is also random, so the wheel never looks like it lands in the same spot twice.
If you add weights, each weight works like extra raffle tickets: an entry marked *3 gets a slice three times as wide and is three times as likely to win. Without weights, every slice is the same size and every entry has exactly the same chance.
Saving, privacy and big lists
- Your list is saved automatically in this browser’s local storage, so it is still there next time you open the page on the same device. Use Clear to wipe it.
- Nothing is uploaded. Names never leave your device, which matters for student lists and customer names.
- Large lists work. With dozens of entries the labels get smaller; with hundreds, very thin slices hide their label but can still win. The pop-up always shows the full name.
- Keyboard friendly. The space bar spins whenever you are not typing in the list.
Frequently asked questions
Is this spin the wheel tool free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no ads inside the wheel and no limit on spins or entries (up to 1,000 per wheel).
How does the random name picker choose a winner?
It uses crypto.getRandomValues, the browser’s cryptographic random number generator, with rejection sampling so every entry has an equal chance. The animation simply shows the result.
Can I remove a name after it wins?
Yes. When the winner pop-up appears, press Remove & close. The name is taken off the wheel and the list, so it cannot be picked again.
Will my list be saved?
Yes, in your own browser only. The list is stored in local storage on this device and is never sent to our server. Press Clear to delete it.
Can I make one option more likely?
Add a weight after the name, for example “Pizza *3”. That entry gets a slice three times as large and three times the chance of winning.
Can I use it on a projector or live stream?
Yes. Press Fullscreen to fill the screen with the wheel, then press the space bar or click the wheel to spin.
Does it work on phones?
Yes. It works in any modern browser on iPhone, Android, tablets and computers. Tap the wheel or the Spin button.