Random Name Picker
Paste your names, pick a fair winner — or shuffle everyone into random teams.
How to use the name picker
- Single winner: paste names (one per line) and click "Pick a name". Tick "remove winner" for prize draws with multiple prizes so nobody wins twice.
- Random teams: set the team count and click "Make teams" — names are shuffled and dealt out as evenly as possible.
- Blank lines and duplicate spaces are cleaned up automatically.
Why visible fairness matters
Whether it's a classroom, a giveaway, or deciding who does the dishes, people accept outcomes they can see are fair. A public random draw removes the suspicion that comes with someone "just choosing" — the picker has no favorites, no memory, and no idea who anyone is. For a two-option decision, a coin flip does the same job; for spinning suspense, try the wheel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pick a random name from a list?
Paste or type your names into the box (one per line), then click "Pick a name". The winner is chosen with equal probability for every entry — and you can optionally remove the winner from the list for the next draw.
Can I split people into random teams?
Yes. Enter the names, set how many teams you want, and click "Make teams" — the list is shuffled fairly and dealt into evenly sized groups.
Is this name picker fair?
Every name has exactly the same chance on every draw, using your browser’s random number generator. The tool has no memory of previous winners unless you use the "remove winner" option.
Is my list of names uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything runs in your browser — the names never leave your device, and refreshing the page erases them. Safe for classrooms and workplaces.
What can I use this for?
Classroom cold-calling, raffle and giveaway draws, deciding who presents first, chore assignments, secret santa ordering, sports team selection — anything where fairness needs to be visible.