Random Name Picker
Pick random winners or entries from a list. Select one or multiple names fairly with or without replacement. Great for giveaways and classrooms.
Selected Position(s)
—
Odds of Being Picked —
Pool Size —
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the Total Number of Names in your list.
- Enter How Many to Pick (for multiple winners).
- Choose whether to Allow Duplicates.
- Click to pick — the result shows the position numbers of selected entries in your list.
Formula
Each selection: Random integer from 1 to N
Without replacement: selected numbers are removed from the pool before subsequent picks.
Example
Picking 3 winners from 50 entrants, no duplicates.
- Odds per entry = 3/50 = 6%
- Example result: positions 7, 23, 41
Frequently Asked Questions
- Enter the total number of names in your list. The tool assigns each entry a number (1 to N) and randomly selects positions. You match positions to names in your list.
- The picker uses JavaScript's Math.random() which gives uniform distribution — each entry has an equal probability of being selected.
- Without replacement means the same position cannot be picked twice in one draw. This is standard for giveaways. "With replacement" allows the same name to be picked multiple times.
- Yes. Enter the number of students and set pick count to 1 to randomly call on a student. For group selection, set pick count to the group size.