How to use the name wheel
- Add the names. One per line in the list, or paste a column from a spreadsheet. The wheel redraws as you type.
- Spin. Press Spin the wheel, tap the wheel itself or press the Space bar.
- Watch it slow down. The pointer ticks over each slice until the wheel stops on the winner, which lights up.
- Decide what happens next: spin again, remove the winner from the wheel, or keep spinning until everyone has had a turn.
What makes this name wheel different
- The slices tell the truth. Give someone extra chances (
Sam *2) and their slice grows to match, so the randomized name wheel always shows the real odds. - Several spins in a row. Need three winners? The wheel spins three times and lists them in order: first, second and third.
- No repeats until everyone wins. Perfect for a class: everyone stays on the wheel, but nobody is picked twice until the whole class has had a turn.
- Readable on every screen. Names shrink to fit their slice, and fullscreen makes the wheel huge on a projector or TV.
- Other games, same list. If the wheel gets old, switch to the duck race or the hat without retyping a single name.
Good ways to use a random name spinner
- In class: who answers, who reads, who chooses the next song. A spinning wheel holds attention far better than "I'll pick someone".
- For prizes and giveaways: spin for a winner on a stream or a video call so everyone sees it happen live.
- For decisions: put options instead of names on the wheel (restaurants, films, chores) and let it decide.
- For games: choose who goes first, pick teams one name at a time, or set a forfeit.
How the wheel decides
A physical wheel can be nudged by a strong or weak spin. This one can't. When you press spin, your browser's secure random generator picks the winner first, with every name getting an equal share (or a bigger share if you gave it extra chances). The wheel then turns several full circles and slows down to stop at a random point inside the winner's slice. You get the fun of a real spin with the fairness of a lottery draw. More about how it works.
Ready-made wheels
Want a wheel that is already filled in? Spin the yes or no wheel, a number wheel, the what should I eat wheel, truth or dare or any of the 263 ready-made lists.
Questions people ask
Is the random name wheel fair?
Yes. The winning name is chosen with your browser's secure random number generator before the wheel starts turning, and the spin is then animated to stop on it. Every name has the same chance, and no "lucky" way of spinning can change that.
How many names fit on the wheel?
Up to 100. Names stay readable because the text shrinks to fit each slice. With more than 100 names the picker switches to Quick pick automatically, or you can use names in a hat, which has no limit.
Can I spin the wheel for several winners?
Yes. Set Winners in Settings. The wheel spins once per winner (up to five spins in a row) and the result card lists everyone in order. Nobody can win twice in the same round.
How do I remove a name after it has been picked?
Press Remove & pick again on the result card, or choose Remove the winner under Settings so it happens after every spin. To keep everyone on the wheel but skip names that already won, leave No repeats until everyone is picked on, as it is from the start.
Can I make one name more likely to win?
Yes. Write the name with a star and a number, like Max *2. Max's slice doubles in size and so does his chance, so the wheel always shows the true odds.
Does the name wheel work on phones and whiteboards?
Yes. It works in any modern browser on phones, tablets, Chromebooks, laptops and interactive whiteboards. Tap the wheel or the button to spin, and use fullscreen for a projector.
Can I save my wheel?
Press 💾 Save to keep the list on your device, or 🔗 Share to copy a link that opens the wheel with the same names. Nothing is stored on our server.