Classroom participation
Paste a class list and pick one student for each turn. No repeats keeps previously selected entries out until the whole class has had a turn.
Random Name Picker
Pick random names from your list, one or several at a time. Remove picked names, undo a draw, and copy results. Free, no signup required.
Opening your tool…
Pick names from your own list
A random name picker selects entries from a list you provide. Paste one name per line, choose how many names to pick, and draw. By default, picked entries are removed from later rounds until you reset the draw.
Use it to choose a classroom speaker, draw a workshop volunteer, or pick several participants for an activity. Everything runs in your browser, and you control when each draw happens.
How to use the random name picker
- Paste your names. Use one entry per line or paste a single spreadsheet column without its heading. You can include up to 1,000 entries, each up to 200 characters.
- Choose a count and repeat rule. Pick one name or a batch. Leave No repeats on to give everyone a turn before starting again.
- Select Pick names. The selected names appear in the result panel. The eligible count shows how many entries can take part in the next draw.
- Keep or continue the result. Copy the latest names, download all rounds as TXT, or draw again. Undo last draw returns that round’s entries to the pool.
Try this workflow: eight names, two at a time
Paste eight participants and set Names per draw to 2. The first draw selects two entries and leaves six eligible. Draw again to select two of those six. After four rounds, all eight entries have been picked once. Reset draw makes the full list eligible again.
For example, a first round might pick Blair Patel and Emery Lee. The specific names will vary; the remaining count will be six. Choose “Try 8 example names” above to try this setup.
A name picker for classrooms, meetings and games
Workshop volunteers
Select several volunteers from an attendee list. Adjust the count between rounds without resetting the remaining participants.
Games and casual draws
Choose a starting player or draw from a list of entrants. Allow names in later rounds when someone should be eligible more than once.
How no repeats and random selection work
Each eligible entry has the same chance. The tool uses Web Crypto random values, rejects values that would introduce modulo bias, and samples entries with a partial Fisher–Yates shuffle.
With eight distinct entries and one pick, each entry has a 1 in 8 chance. When two entries are picked, each has a 2 in 8 chance of being included in that round. After a no-repeat draw, only the entries left in the pool can be selected.
- No repeats: entries stay out of later rounds until you reset or start a new session.
- Allow in later rounds: every round uses the full list. A single entry still cannot be selected twice within the same round.
- Duplicate names: identical lines are separate entries unless you select Remove duplicate names. Two entries named Alex give that displayed name two chances; use labels when they represent two people.
- Editing the list or rule: your previous result stays visible. The next draw starts a new session and clears the old history. Changing only the draw count keeps the current session.
Undo restores the eligible pool before the last round. Reset clears all rounds. This is a browser tool for everyday selections; it does not produce a certified or tamper-proof draw record.
Your list stays in your browser
Names and draw results are held in this page’s memory. They are not uploaded, sent in analytics events, stored in the URL, or saved to browser storage. Refreshing or leaving the page clears the session, so copy or download any result you want to keep.
RandTools uses general site analytics for usage events such as a draw or copy action. Those events do not contain your names. Read the privacy policy for site-wide details.
Random name picker FAQs
How do I pick a random name from a list?
Paste one name per line into the name picker, leave Names per draw at 1, and select Pick names. Blank lines are ignored and spaces at the beginning and end of each line are removed. You can paste a single column from Excel or Google Sheets; omit its heading.
Can I pick multiple names without repeats?
Yes. Set Names per draw to a whole number up to the eligible count. Every entry can appear only once in a round. With No repeats selected, picked entries also stay out of later rounds. When the list is exhausted, reset the draw to start again.
What happens if two people have the same name?
Identical lines count as separate entries by default, giving each entry one chance. Add a surname, initial or label to tell participants apart. Remove duplicate names keeps one copy of each identical trimmed line; it is case-sensitive, so Alex and alex remain separate.
Is the random name picker fair?
Each eligible list entry has the same chance of selection. The picker uses your browser’s Web Crypto random values with rejection sampling and a partial Fisher–Yates shuffle. Duplicate entries give the same displayed name more chances. The tool does not provide a certified draw or a tamper-proof audit record.
Are my names saved or uploaded?
The list and draw history stay in this page’s memory. They are not uploaded, included in analytics events, or saved to browser storage. Refreshing or leaving the page clears them. Site analytics record general usage; copy the results or download the history before closing the page.