About this random name picker
A random name picker draws a winner from your list in one click — no hats, no folded slips of paper, no arguments about fairness. Paste names, click, and get an instant, unbiased pick.
This tool is made for teachers choosing students, managers splitting teams, giveaway hosts drawing winners, and coaches picking captains. Type or paste your names into the text area — one name per line — then click “Pick a random name”. The winner is drawn with equal probability for every entry, so nobody can claim the draw was rigged. Turn on the “Remove picked names” checkbox when you need unique draws (raffle prizes, team drafts, student-of-the-week), and the counter “Names left: N” shows how many entries remain. Click “Reset” to restore the full list and start over.
Everything runs entirely in your browser. Your names never leave your device — nothing is sent to a server, stored, or logged.
How to use it
- Paste or type your names into the textarea, "Enter one name per line…".
- (Optional) Check "Remove picked names" so each picked name is taken out of the pool and "Names left: N" counts down.
- Click "Pick a random name" to draw a winner.
- Repeat picks as needed — with remove mode on, no name can be picked twice.
- Click "Reset" to restore the original list and pick again from scratch.
The method behind it
Frequently asked questions
Is the name picker truly random, or could it favor someone?
It is truly random. Each draw uses a cryptographic random number with every remaining name weighted equally, so the picker cannot favor anyone — it has no memory, no pattern, and no way to be influenced by who is listed where.
How does "Remove picked names" mode work?
When the checkbox is on, each picked name is taken out of the pool, so it cannot be drawn again. The "Names left: N" counter shows the remaining entries. Use it for raffles, team drafts, or picking multiple students — and click "Reset" when you want the full list back.
Can I use this for a giveaway winner draw?
Yes — that is one of its main uses. Paste all entries, enable "Remove picked names" if you are drawing multiple prizes, and click "Pick a random name". Every entry gets equal odds, which is exactly what a fair giveaway draw requires.
Do my names get saved or uploaded anywhere?
No. Your names exist only in your current browser tab and are never sent to a server or stored. Close the page and the list is gone — your entrants' names stay completely private to you.
Worked example
Drawing 3 raffle winners from 20 names with "Remove picked names" on. The first pick gives each name a 1/20 = 5% chance. After the winner is removed, the second pick gives each remaining name a 1/19 ≈ 5.26% chance, and the third gives each remaining name 1/18 ≈ 5.56%. Over the whole draw, every name has exactly the same probability of being among the 3 winners: 3/20 = 15%. Equal odds for everyone — that is what makes the draw fair.