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Random Picker

Who takes the Saturday shift, who presents first, who gets the one ticket left. The fair way to settle it is a draw nobody can nudge — so this one uses the browser’s cryptographic randomness, not the everyday kind, and the list never leaves your device.

The draw uses the browser’s cryptographic randomness, not the ordinary kind: for shifts, prizes and speaking order that difference matters. Nothing is sent anywhere, and the list is remembered only on this device.

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How to use

  1. Paste the list — one name per line.
  2. Pick what you need: draw names, shuffle the order, or split into groups.
  3. Press the button. Draw again as many times as you like.

Good to know

Why the ordinary randomness is not enough

The usual `Math.random()` is not built for anything that matters: its sequence is predictable from previous values. When the draw decides shifts, prizes or who goes first, that is a real difference, and it costs nothing to avoid — the browser has a cryptographic source built in. Two more traps live nearby: taking a remainder makes the first names come up more often, and shuffling by a random comparator produces uneven orders. Neither is used here.

Groups are dealt round-robin

Splitting seven people into three groups by cutting the list in thirds gives 3, 3 and 1 — the last group always loses. Dealing them out one by one, like cards, gives 3, 2 and 2. That is the difference between a formula that is easy to write and one that is fair to be in.

Frequently asked questions

Is the draw actually random?

It uses the browser’s cryptographic random source, and the remainder bias is removed: every name has the same chance. The shuffle is Fisher–Yates, so every order is equally likely.

Is my list sent anywhere?

No. Everything happens in your browser, and the list is remembered only on this device so you do not retype it next time.

Can the same name come up twice?

Only if you tick the box. By default a name that has been drawn is out — which is what you want for prizes and shifts.

What if I ask for more names than there are?

You get everyone in the list and a line saying how many that was, instead of a silent short answer.

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