Wheel of Names

Spin the wheel to pick a random name, number or choice.

6 names left

Fair random · Saved in this browserHow fairness works

Entries(6)

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How to spin the wheel

Paste your names, hit Spin, and you've got a winner — it really is that quick. You don't need an account. The wheel stays in this browser so you can spin again in the same class or meeting.

  1. 1

    Paste names

    Type or paste names — one per line — into the Entries panel. Numbers and short choices work the same way.

  2. 2

    Spin

    Press Spin, or hit Space. The wheel turns until it stops on the winner.

  3. ★

    3

    See the winner

    Read the name, then spin again, remove them, or copy the result.

What is a wheel spinner?

A wheel spinner is a random picker you can watch. Names, numbers, or choices sit on slices. You spin, and one slice wins — like drawing a name from a hat, but the room can see it.

Teachers call on students. Hosts draw giveaway winners. Families pick a chore or who goes first. The list can be people, prizes, or yes and no. Everyone watches the same wheel, then you can save it and spin again.

  • Fair before it moves. The winner is chosen with crypto.getRandomValues the moment you press Spin.
  • Your list stays here. Names live in this browser. Spinning does not upload them.
  • Free, no sign-up. Open the page, paste a list, and spin. There is no account.
  • Four languages. English, ไทย, Bahasa Indonesia, and Português — switch with the globe.
  • Don’t repeat winners. Turn it on when the same person should not come up twice.
  • Show the room. Share your screen, use a projector, or open Stream mode for OBS.

Is the wheel really random?

Yes. NamesWheel picks the winner with the browser’s cryptographic random number generator before the wheel moves. The winner is picked the moment you press Spin; the spinning is just the fun part.

We call crypto.getRandomValues(), pick an index, then aim the wheel at that slice. Even on a laggy phone, the result is exactly as fair. We choose first and animate second, so a stuttering browser can't nudge the wheel.

Read the full method, the charts, and a live 10,000-spin test on the randomness page.

How a winner is pickedSecure random number → Pick the winner → Spin to it → Celebrate
  1. 1Secure random number
  2. 2Pick the winner
  3. 3Spin to it
  4. 4Celebrate

Why did the same name come up twice?

Because each spin is independent when “Don’t repeat winners” is off. The wheel does not remember the last result, so the same name can win twice in a row. It can feel rigged when the same name wins twice, but it's just luck — like flipping heads two times in a row.

With ten names, the chance of at least one repeat grows fast: about 28% after three spins, 70% after five, and almost certain after ten. Turn on Don’t repeat winners under the wheel to sample without replacement. Picked names stay visible in history so you can show who already went.

The raffle wheel and student picker start with this on.

When a name can repeatRepeats are luck unless you turn Don’t repeat on.
  • Free, no sign-up
  • Lists stay on your device
  • crypto-secure random
  • English · ไทย · Bahasa Indonesia · Português
Run 10,000 test spins

Pick a random name, number or choice

Any list works here. Or jump to a ready-made wheel:

  • A name picker you can keep Paste your list, hit Spin, and keep the wheel in this browser on a phone or projector. Remove a winner and spin again without an account.

Random name generator vs wheel

A random name generator often prints a name in a box. A wheel is better when a room is watching — everyone sees the spin and the winner. The box is faster when you are alone; the wheel is the better show when people need to trust the pick.

If you need a full shuffle of the list, not one winner, open the random order generator.

How NamesWheel works

Random method
crypto.getRandomValues before the spin
Account
none needed
Your data
stays in this browser unless you share a link
  • Save your wheel Your list, Customize settings, and winner history stay in this browser. Nothing is uploaded when you spin, and there is no account.
  • Customize your wheel Vibrant, Classic, Warm, Cool, Pastel, Dark, Mono, and Projector palettes change slice colors. Projector is built for classroom screens, and you can set colors, spin length, sounds, and confetti.
  • Multiple winners Spin once per prize, then remove that winner so they cannot be drawn again. Winner history keeps the order, and the raffle wheel does this by default.

Help answers how to save a wheel and whether you need to sign in.

Common questions

How do I spin the wheel?

Paste names into Entries, then press Spin or hit Space. The winner is picked before the wheel moves. You can spin again, remove the winner, or copy the name.

Is the wheel of names free?

Yes. NamesWheel is free to use in your browser. There is no sign-up. Your list stays on this device.

Can I remove a name after it wins?

Yes. After a spin, choose Remove winner, or turn on Don’t repeat winners so picked names leave the pool. The raffle wheel starts with this on.

Does it save my list?

Your current wheel stays in this browser automatically. Save named wheels from Wheels. Nothing is uploaded when you spin, and there is no account.

Can I use it on my phone or a projector?

Yes. The same page works on a phone, tablet, laptop, or a classroom projector. Use fullscreen and the Projector theme for a large screen.

Is the wheel random?

Yes. The winner is chosen with crypto.getRandomValues() before the animation starts. See the randomness page for the method and a live test.

Which languages are available?

English, ไทย and Bahasa Indonesia — switch with the globe icon.