Random Name Picker
Pick a random name or item from your list. Remove picked items for raffles and team selection.
Quick Answer
Enter names (one per line) and click Pick. Each name has an equal chance of being selected.
Enter Names (one per line)
About the Random Name Picker
The Random Name Picker is a free tool that selects a random name or item from any list you provide. It works for classroom activities, raffle drawings, team selection, deciding who goes first, or any situation where you need an unbiased random selection. Each entry has an equal probability of being chosen.
How It Works
Enter your names or items one per line in the text area. Click the Pick button, and the tool randomly selects one entry from the list. If you enable the remove option, picked names are automatically removed from the list, which is perfect for raffle-style drawings where each person can only win once.
Fair and Unbiased Selection
The picker uses a uniform random number generator to select entries. Each name in the list has an exactly equal chance of being picked, regardless of its position. There is no weighting, bias, or pattern. The first name is just as likely to be chosen as the last name.
Common Uses
Teachers use random name pickers to call on students fairly, avoiding unconscious bias toward certain students. Offices use them for raffle drawings, Secret Santa assignments, and task delegation. Game groups use them to decide player order. Event organizers use them for prize drawings. Any time you need a random selection from a group, this tool handles it fairly and transparently.