Random Name Picker – Draw Names From a Hat
Paste your list, choose how many winners and backups, and draw. Every name can be drawn only once per draw.
No Names Drawn Yet
Paste your list on the left, choose how many winners and backups you need, then draw. Each name can only be drawn once per draw.
A random name picker draws names from a list at random, like pulling slips from a hat. Paste your names, choose how many winners you need – plus backup winners if a winner does not respond – and press Draw: the picker returns that many different names in a random order.
Use it when a wheel would be too slow: picking ten giveaway winners, choosing several students for a task, or drawing a running order. If you prefer the drama of a spin for one name at a time, use the wheel of names instead.
How to Draw Names From a Hat
Paste the names
One per line. Duplicate names are removed unless you untick the option – keep duplicates to give someone extra entries.
Set winners and backups
Choose how many winners and how many backup names you need.
Draw
The slips are mixed and the names revealed in order. Copy the list or remove winners for the next round.
Name Picker vs Wheel of Names
Both are fair and use the same secure random generator. The wheel of names is better for one name at a time on a screen – it builds suspense. The random name picker is better when you need several names at once, a ranked order, or backup winners for a giveaway. For splitting everyone into groups, use the random team generator.
Common Uses
Giveaways with backups
Draw 3 winners and 3 backups so you can move to the next name if someone does not reply.
Instagram giveaway, 3 winners.
Classroom
Pick students for roles, presentation order or a reading list in one go.
Who presents first to last?
Work
Choose people for a rota, a survey sample or a random audit.
5 random staff for feedback.
Events
Draw a running order for a talent show or karaoke night.
Karaoke order for 12 singers.
Fair Draw Checklist
- Close the list before drawing and show it on screen.
- Decide the number of winners and backups first.
- Record the screen or keep a copy of the result.
- Use "Remove winners" for the next round so nobody wins twice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pick more than one name?
Can someone have more than one entry?
Is the name picker random?
Are my names stored online?
Related Wheels
More free tools in the same family.
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