How does the picker choose a winner?

It shuffles your list with a Fisher–Yates shuffle driven by crypto.getRandomValues — the browser's cryptographic random number generator — and takes the first names as winners. That's the same randomness source used for generating encryption keys, not the weaker Math.random.

Is the draw really fair?

Yes. Every line has exactly the same probability of being drawn: the picker uses rejection sampling to avoid modulo bias, a subtle flaw in naive random-pick code that makes some entries slightly more likely than others. With 10 names, each has exactly a 1-in-10 chance.

Can I draw more than one winner at a time?

Yes — set the winners field to any number. A single draw never picks the same line twice, so drawing 3 winners from 20 names gives you 3 different entries, in the order they were drawn. Handy for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes.

What does 'Remove winners from the list' do?

After each draw, the winning names are deleted from the box, so the next draw runs on the remaining names only. Use it for consecutive giveaway rounds, secret-santa-style assignments, or calling on every student once before anyone repeats.

What happens if a name appears twice in the list?

Each line is a separate ticket. If the same name appears on two lines, that person has double the chance of winning — which is exactly what you want for weighted raffles where people can earn extra entries. Deduplicate the list first if everyone should have one entry.

Is my list of names uploaded anywhere?

No. The tool runs entirely in your browser — the names, the draw, and the result never touch a server. You can load the page, disconnect from the internet, and it still works.

Random Name Picker — Draw a Fair Winner from Any List

Names — one per line

Names in the list: 0

Winners Remove winners from the list

Paste your list — one name per line — and draw a winner with a single click. The picker uses the browser's cryptographic random generator, so every name has exactly the same chance. Draw several winners at once for multi-prize giveaways, or tick 'remove winners' to run consecutive rounds without repeats. The list never leaves your browser.

How it works

1
Paste the names Put one name per line in the box — participants, students, team members, raffle entries. The counter under the box shows how many names are in the draw.
2
Set the draw options Choose how many winners to draw at once. Tick 'Remove winners from the list' if you plan several rounds and don't want the same person to win twice.
3
Pick the winner Hit the button and the winners appear instantly. Draw again as many times as you like — each draw is independent and equally fair.

Your data stays private

All processing happens entirely in your browser. No files, text, or data are ever sent to our servers. You can disconnect from the internet and this tool will still work.

Frequently asked questions

How does the picker choose a winner?: It shuffles your list with a Fisher–Yates shuffle driven by crypto.getRandomValues — the browser's cryptographic random number generator — and takes the first names as winners. That's the same randomness source used for generating encryption keys, not the weaker Math.random.
Is the draw really fair?: Yes. Every line has exactly the same probability of being drawn: the picker uses rejection sampling to avoid modulo bias, a subtle flaw in naive random-pick code that makes some entries slightly more likely than others. With 10 names, each has exactly a 1-in-10 chance.
Can I draw more than one winner at a time?: Yes — set the winners field to any number. A single draw never picks the same line twice, so drawing 3 winners from 20 names gives you 3 different entries, in the order they were drawn. Handy for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes.
What does 'Remove winners from the list' do?: After each draw, the winning names are deleted from the box, so the next draw runs on the remaining names only. Use it for consecutive giveaway rounds, secret-santa-style assignments, or calling on every student once before anyone repeats.
What happens if a name appears twice in the list?: Each line is a separate ticket. If the same name appears on two lines, that person has double the chance of winning — which is exactly what you want for weighted raffles where people can earn extra entries. Deduplicate the list first if everyone should have one entry.
Is my list of names uploaded anywhere?: No. The tool runs entirely in your browser — the names, the draw, and the result never touch a server. You can load the page, disconnect from the internet, and it still works.

From the blog

How to Pick a Random Winner Fairly (and Prove It) Why 'I'll just close my eyes and point' fails, what makes a random draw actually fair, and how to run clean giveaway and classroom draws. Read the post →

Random Name Picker — Draw a Fair Winner from Any List

How it works

Your data stays private

Frequently asked questions

From the blog

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