Random Name Picker – Pick a Winner from a List

How to pick a random name

1. Paste your list of names, one per line. You can copy them from a spreadsheet, a class register, a group chat or the comments under a social media giveaway.
2. Keep “Remove duplicates” ticked if each person may only enter once. If your rules allow several entries (for example, one per comment), untick it so every line counts.
3. Choose how many winners and backups you need and press Pick winner.
4. Copy the result – it includes the date and time – or take a screenshot to share it.

Is it really random and fair?

Yes. Every entry has exactly the same chance of being picked. Winners are chosen with crypto.getRandomValues, the browser’s cryptographically secure random number generator, using rejection sampling so no name is even slightly favoured. Once a name is drawn it can’t be drawn again in the same round, so a winner can’t also be a backup. The short rolling animation is only for show; the result is decided the moment you press the button.

Your list never leaves your device – there is no server involved – so it is safe to use with students’ or customers’ names.

Ideas for using it

• Giveaways and contests: draw winners and backups in case a winner doesn’t reply.
• Classrooms: pick who answers next, form presentation order, or choose a student of the week.
• Teams and offices: choose who runs the next meeting, a Secret Santa starting point, or the lunch spot.
• Raffles: switch to “Numbers” and draw ticket numbers from 1 to 500 without repeats.

Tips for social media giveaways

• Publish clear rules first: who can enter, the closing date, the prize and how you will contact the winner.
• Record your screen while you draw to show the result was not chosen by hand.
• Instagram and Facebook require you to state that the promotion isn’t sponsored or run by them, and many countries have rules for prize promotions. Check the ones that apply to you.

Related: Random Number Generator · Password Generator · Word Counter