A random name picker that is fair to everyone
A random name picker settles who goes next without anyone choosing: who answers, who reads aloud, who wins the giveaway. Paste names, one per line, and spin. For a class, save the list once and pick it every lesson, tick off who is away today, and turn on fair picking so everyone gets a turn before anyone is picked twice.
How to pick a random name
- Paste the names, one per line, or choose a saved class.
- For a class, untick anyone who is absent today.
- Turn on fair picking to give everyone a turn before anyone goes twice.
- Spin. Hide the picked name from the wheel, or keep it on for the next spin.
Ways to use the name picker
- Choosing who answers a question in class.
- Picking a giveaway winner from a list of entries.
- Deciding who goes first in a game or a presentation.
- Sharing out classroom jobs fairly over the week.
- Drawing the next reader for a book club or a meeting.
More tools for the class
- Times tables wheel: a times tables game where the wheel picks who answers.
- Random team generator: split the same list into fair random teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the random name picker work?
Paste names, one per line, and spin the wheel: every name on it has the same chance. The picked name can come off the wheel for the next spin or stay on, and the list is kept in the browser for next time.
How do I make sure every student gets a turn?
Turn on fair picking. Everyone is picked once before anyone is picked twice, and the round is remembered on the device even after the page is closed, so the next lesson carries on where the last one stopped.
Can I leave out students who are absent?
With a saved class, untick the students who are away today and the wheel skips them. The register clears itself the next day, so nobody is left out by mistake.
Are the names saved anywhere?
Names and classes stay in the browser on the device you use. Nothing is uploaded, and no account is needed.
How many names can the wheel hold?
Up to 100 names. With very long lists the slices get too thin for the names and the wheel shows the colours only, but every name still has an equal chance.