List Randomizer / Pick a Winner
Shuffle lists or pick a random winner from your entries.
About List Randomizer / Pick a Winner
Quickly randomize any list of items or pick a random winner fairly. This tool is perfect for teachers, community managers, or anyone needing to shuffle entries or select a random name from a pool without bias.
How to Use
- Enter your list of items, placing each one on a new line.
- Click 'Shuffle List' to reorder all items randomly.
- Click 'Pick a Random Winner' to select a single item from the list.
- Copy the randomized list or the winner's name for your records.
Common Use Cases
- Selecting random giveaway or contest winners.
- Randomizing student lists for classroom presentations.
- Shuffling daily task lists to avoid sequence bias.
Technical Details
Uses the Fisher-Yates shuffle algorithm for truly unbiased randomization and the Web Crypto API for secure random number generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How random is the selection?
- We use cryptographically secure random number generators provided by your browser to ensure absolute fairness.
- Can I randomize thousands of items?
- Yes, the tool is optimized for performance and can handle large lists instantly.
- How random is the shuffle?
- The tool uses the Fisher-Yates algorithm seeded by the browser's built-in cryptographically secure random number generator, making results statistically unbiased.
- Can I pick multiple random items without repeats?
- Yes. Specify how many items to draw and the tool selects them without replacement, so each item can only appear once in the result.
- Does it save my list between sessions?
- Your list is kept in memory while the page is open. Refreshing the page clears it, so copy your results before closing if you need them later.
- Can I use the List Randomizer to do a random weighted draw?
- The current List Randomizer treats every item equally — each entry has the same probability of being selected or appearing at the top of a shuffle. Weighted draws (where some items have a higher probability than others) are not directly supported. A simple workaround is to add an item multiple times proportional to its weight — for example, entering "Prize A" three times and "Prize B" once gives Prize A a 75% chance. This works well for small weights but becomes unwieldy for large or fractional weights.
Local processing
Our local file, text and chart tools process content on your device using JavaScript, browser APIs and, where needed, WebAssembly. Our usage events do not include filenames, file contents, input text, chart values, raw errors, emails or license references. Network lookup tools (such as DNS, WHOIS, IP and speed tests) contact external services for their stated purpose. Loading the website, fonts, libraries and models also makes network requests. WebAssembly itself does not prevent network access.