What is Wheel of Names?
Wheel of Names is a free browser-based spinner — add names, spin, get a random
winner. Runs entirely in your browser using crypto.getRandomValues().
No signup required.
About this tool
The Wheel of Names is a free, browser-based random name picker. Add any
list of names, spin the animated wheel, and get a random winner every time.
The wheel is powered by crypto.getRandomValues — the same
cryptographic random source used for browser security — so the landing
position is genuinely unpredictable, not based on any deterministic pattern.
Spin results can be shared via URL: the name list is encoded in the address bar, so anyone who opens your link sees the same wheel. Use the remove-winner option for sequential draws — after each spin, the winner is removed and the next spin picks from the remaining names. This is ideal for raffles and classroom assignments where each person should only be selected once.
How to use the wheel
Type your names into the input box — one per line. Press "Update wheel" to load them onto the wheel. Click the wheel itself or press "Spin!" to start. The wheel accelerates and then decelerates smoothly before landing on a winner. The winning name is highlighted and announced below the wheel.
To respin without removing anyone, just press "Spin!" again. To remove the winner before the next spin, check "Remove from wheel after spin." To edit the name list, press "Edit names" — the input box reopens with your current list for editing.
When to use a wheel of names
Classroom random calling. Teachers use spinning wheels to decide which student answers next. The visible, animated wheel makes the selection feel fair and transparent to the whole class — no suspicion of favoritism when the wheel lands where it lands.
Raffle draws. Enter participant names, spin for each prize, and use the remove-winner option to ensure no one wins twice. The URL sharing means you can send the same wheel to a co-organizer without anyone needing an account.
Task and chore assignment. Entering team members' names and spinning to assign a task removes any perception of unfair distribution. The randomness is visible and verifiable — everyone can see the wheel land where it lands.
Decisions and social games. Who picks tonight's movie? Who goes first in a board game? Who texts first? A spinning wheel adds an element of ceremony and finality to low-stakes decisions that endless negotiation would otherwise drag out.
All randomization on Spinness uses crypto.getRandomValues() — the browser's cryptographic random source. Learn how our randomness works.
Is the Wheel of Names actually random?
Yes — and demonstrably so. The spin uses crypto.getRandomValues()
to determine the landing position, not Math.random(). The
difference matters: Math.random() is a deterministic algorithm
seeded at page load; someone with access to the internal state could predict
every result. crypto.getRandomValues() draws entropy from your
operating system's hardware-level noise sources, making the output
computationally infeasible to predict.
Each name's segment occupies exactly equal arc length on the wheel regardless of how many names are present. A wheel with 20 names gives each name exactly 5% of the arc — not an approximation, exactly 5%. The spin distance is randomized, then the landing position is calculated from the arc layout. Every name has an equal probability on every spin.
Can I save my wheel?
Yes. The name list is encoded directly in the URL — every time you change the list and spin, the address bar updates automatically. Copy the URL from your browser's address bar and save it as a bookmark, or share it with anyone who needs the same wheel. No account, no export step, no saved-wheel library to manage.
The URL format uses a simple query parameter: the names are appended to the page URL separated by commas. Anyone who opens your link will see the wheel pre-loaded with your exact list. This makes it easy to reuse the same wheel across multiple sessions — just bookmark the URL after setting up your list.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add names to the wheel?
Type names into the text box — one name per line. Press "Update wheel" and the wheel instantly reflects your list. You can edit the names at any time by pressing the "Edit names" button below the input. The wheel updates live as you change the list.
Can I share my wheel with a specific list of names?
Yes. The URL updates automatically whenever your name list changes. Copy the address bar and share it — anyone who opens the link will see the wheel loaded with the same names. The names are stored in the URL as a query parameter, so no account or saved data is needed.
Is the spin result truly random?
Yes. The wheel uses crypto.getRandomValues to determine how far and fast to spin. The landing position is cryptographically unpredictable — not based on Math.random() or any deterministic seed. Every name in the wheel has an equal chance of winning on each spin.
Can I remove the winner from the wheel after spinning?
Yes. After a spin, check the "Remove from wheel after spin" box below the winner's name. The next spin will draw from the remaining names. This is useful for raffles and sequential draws where each name should only win once.
Is there a limit on how many names I can add?
There is no hard limit. The wheel renders cleanly up to around 30 names — beyond that, the text labels become small, but the wheel still spins correctly. For very large lists (100+ names), a random name picker tool may be more readable.
What is the wheel of names used for?
Common uses include classroom random calling (which student answers next), team assignments, raffle draws, deciding who picks the movie or restaurant, assigning tasks in a group, and game night decisions. Any situation where you need a fair, transparent random pick from a list of names benefits from a visible spinning wheel.
Is my data private?
Yes. All randomization runs entirely in your browser — no names, inputs, or results are sent to any server. Spinness has no backend. Your data never leaves your device.
How is the randomness generated?
This tool uses crypto.getRandomValues() — the browser's cryptographic random source, not Math.random(). Every result is statistically unpredictable. See our Methodology page for the full technical explanation.