What is the Random Name Picker?
The Random Name Picker is a free, web-based utility designed to make unbiased, random decisions instantly. Whether you are a teacher selecting a student for an activity, a manager picking a team-building exercise, or a social media marketer drawing a raffle winner, our spinning wheel guarantees a 100% fair outcome every single time.
How to use RandomNamePicker.org in 60 seconds
RandomNamePicker.org
How to Use the Spin Wheel (Step-by-Step)
- Input Your Entries: Type or paste your list of names, numbers, or items into the text box on the right. Hit 'Enter' to add them to the wheel.
- Customize Your Wheel: Click the settings gear to adjust colors, add background images, or change the spinning sound effects.
- Spin the Wheel: Click the prominent "Spin" button (optimized for mobile tap-targets) or press the Spacebar on your keyboard.
- Elimination Mode: Once a winner is chosen, you can click "Remove Name" to ensure they aren't selected twice in subsequent spins.
UI showing the Add Name field and Spin button
RandomNamePicker.org
Why Choose RandomNamePicker.org? (Features)
- Autosaves Your Wheels Instantly: Never lose your lists. Our tool uses your browser's local storage to automatically save your wheel data. Even if you refresh or close the tab, your names will be there when you return.
- Cryptographically Fair: We use advanced
Math.random() algorithms paired with cryptographic functions to ensure every slice of the wheel has an exactly equal mathematical probability of winning.
- WCAG 2.1 AA Accessible: Designed with high-contrast ratios and full keyboard navigation (Tab/Enter/Spacebar) making it fully accessible for educational institutions and visually impaired users.
Guides & Tutorials
How to Keep Students Engaged with a Random Student Picker Wheel
- What: Explains how randomized selection removes teacher bias in the classroom.
- Why: Discusses pedagogical benefits—keeping students alert and gamifying standard quizzes.
- How: Step-by-step instructions on setting up a "Vocabulary Word Wheel", a "Math Problem Wheel", and a "Chore/Task Wheel".
How to Run a Fair Instagram Giveaway (with Winner Picker)
- What: Defines the legal and platform requirements for running social media raffles.
- Why: Explains why using an algorithmic randomizer protects your brand from accusations of favoritism.
- How: Instructions on exporting Instagram comments to a CSV, pasting them into RandomNamePicker.org, and screen-recording the spin to post as proof of fairness on your Stories.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Is the wheel of names truly random?
Yes. RandomNamePicker.org utilizes a secure Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG) logic in JavaScript. We do not use rigged animations. The winning slice is mathematically calculated the millisecond you hit "Spin", ensuring absolute fairness.
Why is the wheel not saving my names?
Our tool relies on your browser's local storage to autosave your lists without requiring an account. If your wheel isn't saving, ensure you are not browsing in "Incognito" or "Private" mode, as this disables local data caching.
How do I remove a name after they win?
Turn on "Elimination Mode" in the settings. When the wheel stops on a winner, a prompt will appear asking if you want to temporarily remove that entity from the current spinning session.
Is there a limit to how many names I can add?
You can comfortably add up to 10,000 names. However, for visual clarity on the wheel, we recommend keeping it under 500. The algorithm works flawlessly regardless of visual rendering.
RandomNamePicker.org vs. Alternatives: Which is Best?
When choosing a decision-making tool, users often look at WheelofNames and Picker Wheel. Here is how RandomNamePicker.org stands out:
- Modern UI & Mobile Tap Targets: While older tools have cluttered interfaces, our platform is built for a mobile-first world. Buttons are sized for touchscreen precision (44x44 CSS pixels minimum).
- Dedicated Programmatic Tools: Unlike single-page competitors, we offer dedicated hubs for specific needs—like the yes/no wheel and number wheel so you don't have to rebuild the wheel from scratch.
- No Intrusive Ads: We prioritize a distraction-free environment, making it safer for classrooms and professional corporate Zoom meetings.
Our Commitment to Fair Randomization
Most users wonder, "Can the wheel be rigged?" At RandomNamePicker.org, the answer is definitively no. Our physics engine separates the visual animation from the outcome calculation.
- The Seed: When you click spin, the system grabs a highly randomized temporal seed (based on the exact millisecond of the click).
- The Calculation: It uses browser-level cryptographic functions to select the winning index.
- The Visuals: The wheel's CSS/Canvas rotation is then calculated to organically slow down and land precisely on the pre-determined fair mathematical result. We guarantee a zero-bias environment. No user, administrator, or third party can manipulate the outcome.
How to Download Random Name Picker for Offline Use
You don't need to visit an App Store to install Random Name Picker. Our site is built as a Progressive Web App (PWA), meaning you can install it directly to your device for offline use.
- For iOS (iPhone/iPad): Open Safari, navigate to RandomNamePicker.org, tap the "Share" icon at the bottom, and select "Add to Home Screen".
- For Android: Open Chrome, navigate to our site, tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner, and select "Install App".
- For Desktop (Chrome/Edge): Click the small "monitor with a downward arrow" icon in the right side of your browser's URL address bar.
About the Developer
AL
Alex is a Senior Software Engineer and Educational Tech advocate with over a decade of experience in building high-availability web applications. Frustrated by the lack of WCAG-compliant and truly randomized tools for teachers, Alex built RandomNamePicker.org to provide an accessible, mathematically sound utility for classrooms and marketers alike.
Legal, Privacy & Contact
Privacy Policy: No user data, names, or list contents are ever sent to our servers. All data is stored locally on the user's browser via localStorage, ensuring 100% GDPR, CCPA, and FERPA compliance for educators.
