What this tool does
The Random Name Picker draws one or more names from your list with exactly equal odds, and can remove each picked name so nobody goes twice until everyone has gone once - the classic popsicle-stick jar, minus the jar.
How the randomness works
Each pick uses a cryptographically seeded draw with rejection sampling, so every name on the list has precisely the same chance - our automated statistical tests verify this on every release. With remove-on-pick enabled, the picked names disappear from your list and the next draw runs on whoever remains.
Your roster stays in your browser and is remembered for next time. Use Copy Link before enabling remove-on-pick if you want a way back to the full list, or sign in and use Save List.
Read more about fairness and receipts on RandomEveryth.ing.
When to use it
- Calling on students without favoritism (or the appearance of it)
- Choosing who presents first in a meeting
- Taking turns in family games
- Assigning one-off tasks nobody volunteers for
Frequently asked questions
- Can the same student be picked twice in a row?
- Only if you leave remove-on-pick off. Turn it on and each name is removed after being picked, so repeats are impossible until the list empties and you paste the roster back in.
- How do I restore my full class list after a session?
- The easiest ways are the Copy Link button (bookmark the link with your full roster before you start) or, with a free account, Save List once and reload it any time.
- Is this really fairer than picking sticks from a jar?
- It is at least as fair, and it is provable: every pick comes with a receipt showing the random seed used, which anyone can replay to confirm the pick was honest.