Random name picker
Paste a list of names, then draw a winner or split everyone into random teams.
10 names
Press the button to draw.
How it works
Draw names or build teams
Paste your list, one name per line (or all on one line, separated by commas). To draw names, choose how many and press Pick. To make teams, choose either the number of teams or how many people each team should have.
Tips
- Use "Remove picked names" to go around a class or team without repeats.
- Picking several names at once gives them in a random order, ready to use as a speaking order.
- Add a name twice to give that person two chances, as with two raffle tickets.
Prefer a bit of drama? Put the names on the wheel spinner instead.
More tools
More ways to tick and pick
Online timerCount down seconds, minutes or hours, with an alarm when time is up. Pomodoro timerFocus for 25 minutes, then take a break. Adjustable, with long breaks. StopwatchTime anything to a hundredth of a second, with lap times. Countdown to a dateDays, hours and minutes until any date, with a link to share. Random number generatorRandom numbers in any range, with or without repeats. Dice rollerRoll up to ten d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20 or d100 dice. Wheel spinnerSpin a wheel to pick from your own list of names or options.
Frequently asked questions
Is the name picker random and fair?
Yes. Names are shuffled with the Fisher–Yates method, driven by your browser’s cryptographically secure random number generator, so every name and every order is equally likely.
How do I avoid picking the same person twice?
Turn on "Remove picked names from the list". Each pick then takes the names off the list, so the next pick only draws from the people who are left.
How are the teams balanced?
Everyone is shuffled and then dealt out one by one, like cards, so team sizes never differ by more than one. With 10 people and "3 people per team", you get four teams of 3, 3, 2 and 2.
Is my list saved or uploaded?
No. The names stay in your browser and are gone when you close the page. Nothing is sent to a server, which makes the picker safe to use with pupils’ or colleagues’ names.