Random Picker

A random picker for any list

Paste a list, press Pick, and get one or more random items back in a moment. This random picker skips the spinning wheel and shows the results as a plain list, which makes it quick when you need three winners, a random order for ten tasks, or a week of meals from a short menu. It is free, works on a phone or a computer, and needs no sign up.

How to pick random items

1. Type or paste your list into the box, one item per line. Blank lines are ignored.
2. Glance at “Items in list” to confirm the count.
3. Set “How many to pick”. It starts at 1.
4. Press Pick. The results flicker for a moment and then settle.
5. Press Copy to take the results with you.

When you pick more than one item, the results are numbered 1, 2, 3 and so on in the order they were drawn.

The two switches

Allow the same item twice

Off by default. While it is off, each pick is a different item, so asking for 3 from a list of 10 gives you 3 different items. Turn it on when repeats make sense, for example picking dinner for 7 nights from a list of 4 favorite meals.

Remove picked items from the list

When this is on, the items you just drew are deleted from the text box. The next pick can only come from what is left. It is a simple way to run a draw in rounds, like first prize, then second prize, then third. This switch has no effect while duplicates are allowed.

Ways to use the random picker

Choose several winners at once

Paste the names of everyone who entered a giveaway, set the count to 3, and press Pick. You get three different winners in a numbered order, so the first name can take the top prize.

Put a list in random order

Set “How many to pick” to the size of your list. With duplicates off, the result is the whole list shuffled into a random order. Use it for presentation order, a reading rotation or turns in a game.

Plan meals or workouts

List your options, turn on duplicates, and pick 7. Some days may repeat, which is often what you want with a short list.

Split up tasks

Paste a to do list and pick 2 items to tackle first. Turn on removal and the list shrinks as you work through it.

Settle a group choice

List the activities your group is weighing, such as board games, a hike or karaoke, and pick 1.

Is it fair?

Yes. Every pick uses your browser’s cryptographic random generator. With duplicates off, each item is equally likely to land in any position. With duplicates on, each pick is independent, so the same item can come up more than once.

Related tools

If you would rather watch a pick happen, paste the same list into the picker wheel. To split a list of people into groups, use the random team generator.