How to pick a name with the wheel
- Paste your names into the box, one per line.
- Press Spin, tap the wheel or press the space bar.
- Read out the name shown, which then comes off the wheel.
- Keep spinning until the counter shows no names left, or reset the list.
Picking people fairly, in turn
The wheel of names is the same spinner as our spin the wheel tool, set up for people. The main difference is that "remove the winner" is switched on from the start. Once someone is picked, their name drops off, and a counter shows how many are left. That makes it easy to work through a whole group, whether you are choosing who reads next, the order of presentations or who answers the next question.
Each pick uses your browser's cryptographic random generator, so every remaining name has an equal chance. If someone is absent, delete their line before you start. If you would rather allow repeats, for example picking a "star of the day" every morning from the full class, turn off "remove the winner".
Good ways to use it
- Cold calling in class without the same hands going up every time
- Choosing who goes first in a board game or a quiz night round
- Drawing a giveaway winner from people who entered on Instagram or in a WhatsApp group
- Deciding the order for a team stand-up or who takes the minutes
- Secret Santa style draws for the office, by spinning once per person
For a giveaway, spinning on a screen recording or a live video lets entrants see the draw for themselves, which helps it feel fair.
Saving your class or team list
Your names are remembered in this browser on this device, so a teacher can paste a class register once and have it ready for the next lesson. Because names are personal information, they stay on your device and are not sent to us. On a shared school or office computer, clear the list when you are finished if you would rather the next person did not see it.
If you teach several classes, keep each list in a note or document and paste the right one in at the start of the lesson.
Questions people ask
How do I stop the same person being picked twice?
"Remove the winner" is on by default, so each name drops off the wheel after it is picked.
How many names can I add?
Up to 100, one per line, which covers most classes, teams and small giveaways.
Are the names uploaded?
No. The list is kept in your browser on this device only. Clear it when you are done on a shared computer.
Can I put all the names back after a round?
Yes. Paste the list in again or reset it to start a fresh round with everyone back on the wheel.
Is it fair enough for a giveaway?
Each pick uses the browser's cryptographic random generator and every name has an equal slice, so yes. Record the spin if entrants want to see it.