Random picker wheel for names and choices
Type names or options one per line, or paste the comments from a giveaway, then spin. Every entry gets an equal chance, and winners can drop off for no repeats.
Runs in your browser. Nothing you enter or open is uploaded.
The short answer
A random picker wheel chooses one entry from your list with an equal chance for each: with 8 names, every name has a 12.5% chance per spin. This wheel uses your browser's cryptographic random generator and picks the winner before the spin starts, so the animation and where it slows down cannot tilt the result.
How it is calculated
Chance per spin = 1 ÷ number of entries
Chance a given entry wins at least once in k spins (winners stay on) = 1 − (1 − 1 ÷ n)k
Worked example
An Instagram giveaway got 8 comments, but some people commented more than once. Paste the handles and keep "Remove duplicates" on.
- Lines pasted: 8
- Duplicates removed (case doesn't matter): 3
- Entries left on the wheel: 5, so each person has a 20% chance
Without the cleanup, the person who commented three times would have had 37.5% instead of 20%
Quick reference table
| Entries | 1 spin | 3 spins | 5 spins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 50% | 87.5% | 96.9% |
| 5 | 20% | 48.8% | 67.2% |
| 8 | 12.5% | 33% | 48.7% |
| 10 | 10% | 27.1% | 41% |
| 20 | 5% | 14.3% | 22.6% |
| 30 | 3.3% | 9.7% | 15.6% |
Special cases and common mistakes
- The result is decided before the spin. The winner is drawn with crypto.getRandomValues, then the wheel is animated to stop on it, so the spin is for show and cannot favor any slice.
- No repeats: turn on "Remove the winner after each spin" to draw several winners in a row, like picking the order for class presentations. The results list keeps every pick.
- Share the link before you spin. The list lives in the link itself, not on a server, so participants can open it and see exactly who was on the wheel.
- Quick lists: a yes or no wheel for fast decisions, numbers 1 to 10 for turn order, or a blank wheel for chores, prizes or dinner ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Is the wheel really random?
Yes. It uses the browser's cryptographically secure random generator with rejection sampling, so every entry has exactly the same chance. The winner is chosen before the animation starts.
How do I pick a random name with no repeats?
Turn on "Remove the winner after each spin". Each winner comes off the wheel and stays in the results list, so the next spin only picks from the people left.
How do I pick a giveaway winner from comments?
Copy the commenters' handles, paste one per line and keep "Remove duplicates" on so people who commented several times do not get extra chances. Then spin.
Can I make a yes or no wheel?
Tap the Yes / No quick list. Each answer has a 50% chance per spin.
Can I share my wheel?
Tap "Copy share link" and send it. Anyone who opens it sees the same entries and can spin it themselves. Nothing is stored on our side.
How many names can I add?
Up to 200 entries of up to 60 characters each. The text shrinks to fit when the wheel gets crowded.