How to use the random name picker
- Type or paste the names, one per line. Your list is saved in this browser for next time.
- Press Pick a name or tap the space bar. Set Names per pick to draw several at once.
- Leave Don’t pick anyone twice turned on to remove each name after it’s drawn. Press Start over to put everyone back.
Fair turns for classrooms and meetings
Calling on people “at random” by hand rarely is. A random picker takes the choice out of your hands, and with repeats turned off it works like drawing names from a hat and setting each one aside: everyone gets exactly one turn before anyone goes twice. The counter under the button shows how many names are left in the current round.
How the pick works
Each draw uses crypto.getRandomValues, your browser’s secure random number generator, to choose evenly from the names still in the pool. The quick flicker of names before the result is just animation. The result is decided before it starts.
More ways to use it
- Choose raffle or giveaway winners from a list of entrants.
- Set a speaking order for stand-ups or book clubs by picking until the list is empty.
- Assign chores, roles, or secret tasks one person at a time.
Frequently asked questions
Can the same name be picked twice?
Not while Don’t pick anyone twice is on. Each picked name leaves the pool until you press Start over. Turn the option off if you want every pick to come from the full list.
What happens when everyone has been picked?
The picker tells you the round is complete. Press Start over to put every name back in the draw.
Does it remember who has already been picked?
Yes. Your list and the names already drawn are saved in this browser, so you can close the tab and pick up where you left off next class.
Can I pick more than one name at a time?
Yes. Set Names per pick to any number up to 100, and the picker draws that many different names at once.
What if two people have the same name?
Enter both. Each line is a separate entry, so both can be picked. Adding a last initial makes it easier to tell them apart.