About the Random Name Picker
Tezmy's Random Name Picker chooses winners fairly from any list. Paste names, one per line (or separated by commas), choose how many winners you need, and press Pick. A quick shuffle builds suspense before the result appears. The final choice uses your browser's cryptographically secure random generator, so every name has exactly the same chance. You can remove winners from the list automatically for repeated draws, which makes it ideal for giveaways, raffles, classroom helpers, team picks and Secret Santa.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Random Name Picker
- 1Paste your names, one per line.
- 2Choose how many winners to pick.
- 3Press Pick.
- 4Tick “Remove winners” to draw again without repeats.
Running a fair giveaway
- Copy the entrant names or usernames into the list, one per line.
- Duplicates are ignored, so people who entered twice have the same chance as everyone else.
- Choose how many winners you need and press Pick.
- Screenshot or screen-record the result to show your followers it was fair.
In the classroom
Pick who answers the next question, who presents first or who is today's helper. Turn on remove winners so everyone gets a turn before anyone is picked twice. It's quick to paste a class list once and reuse it all term.
Split into teams or turns
Pick several names at once to form a team, then pick again from the remaining names for the next team. For a random order of turns, pick one name at a time with remove winners on, and the history keeps the order for you.
Why it's truly fair
The winner is chosen with your browser's cryptographically secure random number generator, the same kind of randomness used for security. Every name has exactly the same chance, and nobody, including us, can influence the result.
Pick names on any device
Use it on a laptop connected to a projector for a live class draw, or on your phone during a live stream. Open this page in Safari, Chrome or Edge on your phone, tablet or computer. There's nothing to install and no sign-up, and everything runs on your own device, so what you type is never uploaded. If you want a more playful draw, use Spin the Wheel, and for a number instead of a name the Random Number Generator is quicker. The Dice Roller settles ties between two people, and the Countdown Timer keeps each turn short in a class or a game.
Features
- Fair, cryptographically random
- Pick one or many winners
- Remove winners after each draw
- Duplicates ignored automatically
- History of previous picks
- Great for live streams and classrooms
Frequently asked questions
Is the picker really random?
Yes. The winner is chosen with the Web Crypto API, a secure random source. The spinning names before the result are just for fun and don't affect who wins.
Can I pick more than one winner?
Yes. Set “How many winners”. The same name can't be picked twice in one draw.
How do I run several rounds without repeats?
Tick “Remove winners from the list after picking”. Each winner is removed before the next draw.
What if a name appears twice in my list?
Duplicates are ignored so each person has one equal chance. If you want some people to have more entries, give each entry a slightly different name, like “Ali 1” and “Ali 2”.
Can I use it for Instagram giveaways?
Yes. Copy the commenters' usernames into the list, one per line, and pick. Screen-record the draw to show your followers it was fair.
How do I pick a random winner from comments?
Copy the commenters' names into the list (one per line) and press Pick. Duplicate names are counted once.
Can I use it for Secret Santa?
Yes. Pick names one at a time with remove winners on, so each person is drawn once.
Is my list saved?
The list stays in your browser for convenience and is never sent to a server.
Can I pick a winner on my phone?
Yes. Paste the names on your phone and tap Pick; it works in any mobile browser.