Random Name Picker
Draw a fair winner or split a group into random teams
Already picked
Pick a Random Name or Make Random Teams
A fair, transparent draw for classrooms, giveaways, games and meetings
Paste a list of names – one per line or separated by commas – and let the picker choose a winner with a short animated draw. Need several winners? Set how many to pick and they are drawn without repeats, numbered in order. Turn on “Remove picked names” to run successive rounds (for example a raffle with first, second and third prize); picked names move to a list you can put back with one click. Switch to team mode to split a class, a sports group or a workshop into random teams, either by the number of teams or by the number of people per team; team sizes never differ by more than one. The draw uses your browser’s cryptographic random generator (crypto.getRandomValues), so every name has exactly the same chance, and nothing you type is uploaded.
Features
Fair draw
Cryptographic randomness, no bias
Multiple winners
No repeats, numbered order
Balanced teams
By team count or team size
Rounds
Remove winners, restore later
Ideas for Using the Name Picker
Draws and giveaways
- Instagram or YouTube giveaway winner
- Office raffle with several prizes
- Secret Santa order
- Who goes first in a game
- Random speaker in a meeting
Teams and groups
- Classroom groups and project teams
- Five-a-side football or basketball teams
- Quiz night or escape room teams
- Workshop breakout rooms
- Tournament brackets and pairings
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the name picker really random?
Yes. It uses crypto.getRandomValues, the cryptographically secure random source built into your browser, with an unbiased Fisher–Yates shuffle. Every name has the same chance of being picked.
How do I pick several winners?
Enter how many names to pick and press Draw. Winners are drawn without repetition and listed in the order they were drawn, e.g. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize.
Can I run several rounds without picking the same person twice?
Turn on “Remove picked names from the list”. Each winner is taken out of the list and shown under “Already picked”; press “Put back in the list” to start over.
How are teams balanced?
Names are shuffled and dealt one by one to each team, so team sizes differ by at most one person. Choose a number of teams or a number of people per team.
Can I paste names from Excel or a comma-separated list?
Yes. Paste a column from a spreadsheet (one name per line) or a single line separated by commas or semicolons. Empty lines are ignored.
Are my names saved or uploaded?
Your list is saved only in your browser so it is still there next time. Nothing is sent to a server.