Running a fair draw
Paste your names, show the full wheel on screen so entrants can see their name is on it, then spin. Because the wheel is visible before the spin, participants can verify the pool themselves — which is the part that makes a giveaway feel legitimate. Screenshot the result if you need a record.
Elimination mode for classrooms
Switch on elimination mode and each name is removed once it has been drawn. That guarantees every student answers before anyone repeats, which is far harder to manage by memory. When the wheel empties, reload your saved list and start the cycle again.
Weighted entries
Some draws are not meant to be equal — extra entries for referrals, for example. Raise a name's weight instead of typing it several times and the odds change proportionally while the wheel stays readable.
Where a name picker helps
- Classroom cold-calling and turn taking
- Social media giveaway draws
- Choosing a presenter for a stand-up
- Secret Santa and gift exchanges
- Selecting a raffle or prize winner
Frequently asked questions
- How many names can I add?
- Hundreds work fine. Above roughly forty names the slice labels get small, so full-screen mode or elimination mode helps.
- How do I stop the same name winning twice?
- Turn on elimination mode. Each winner is removed from the wheel automatically after their spin.
- Can I give someone more entries?
- Yes. Increase the weight next to their name and their slice grows proportionally.
- Are names uploaded anywhere?
- No. Everything runs in your browser and saved lists are stored on your own device.
- Can I change the colours of the wheel?
- Yes. Tap the palette button at the top-right of the wheel to pick from nine themes — Classic, Rainbow, Candy, Neon, Ocean, Jungle, Sunset, Pastel and Birthday — or choose Default to restore the wheel's own colours. Spin the Bottle and Coin Toss have their own style menus for bottle designs and coin finishes.
- Is my wheel theme saved?
- Yes. Your chosen theme is stored in your browser and applied automatically to every wheel on the site on your next visit. The menu closes as soon as you pick a theme, and nothing is uploaded or tied to an account.
