A practical guide to random selection

Use a random wheel to make everyday choices easier

SpinPicker turns a list you provide into a visual wheel. It is useful when several options are acceptable and you want a quick way to choose one without repeatedly debating the same list. You control the choices, can edit them before spinning, and can remove a selected winner when you need to draw again from the remaining entries.

How to get a useful result

  1. Define the choice. Decide what the wheel should select: a person, a meal, a classroom question, a game, or the order of activities.
  2. Build a fair list. Include every eligible option once if each should have the same chance. Remove duplicates unless you intentionally want an option to appear more than once.
  3. Check the list before spinning. Read it back to the group, confirm that everyone understands the rules, then press SPIN.
  4. Use the result consistently. If you are selecting a turn or activity, agree beforehand whether the result is final and whether the winner should be removed before the next spin.

Quick-start examples

Use the example buttons above the entry box to load a starter list. Replace any item that does not fit your situation before you spin.

For classrooms

Prepare a list of students who are eligible for the next turn, or add review questions from a lesson. For repeated turns, remove each selected name so the same person is not selected again until the list is reset.

For meals and breaks

List only meals or activities that suit your time, budget, dietary needs, and location. The wheel chooses from your list; it does not check allergies, restaurant availability, nutrition, or personal preferences for you.

For teams and parties

Add games, discussion prompts, team names, or tasks that everyone has agreed are suitable. Keep the choices clear and comparable so the result is easy to understand and accept.

How SpinPicker chooses an entry

The wheel's selection logic uses the browser's Web Crypto random-number API to choose an entry from the list, then animates the wheel to that entry. The animation is visual feedback; it is not an independent audit of the draw. If a selection must be legally binding, publicly verifiable, or independently certified, use a process designed and audited for that requirement.

What happens to your list?

The wheel script processes the entries in the page and does not send the list to the SpinPicker server. The site may still process ordinary visit information through its hosting, security, analytics, or advertising services; see the Privacy Policy for details. Avoid entering passwords, private identifiers, or other sensitive information into a random-choice tool.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use names, numbers, or my own choices?

Yes. Enter one item per line or separate items with commas. The wheel treats each non-empty entry as one option, so review your list for accidental duplicates before spinning.

How do I avoid selecting the same person twice?

After the result appears, use the Remove button to take the winner out of the current list. Repeat the spin for the remaining entries. Reset or re-enter the list when you want to start a new round.

Does every entry have the same chance?

The tool selects an index from the entries currently in the list. If an option appears multiple times, it occupies multiple positions and therefore has more opportunities to be selected. Use one entry per eligible option when equal chances are intended.

Can I use SpinPicker for an official prize draw?

Use it for casual selections only. For regulated competitions, valuable prizes, or situations requiring an auditable record, choose an independently verifiable process and publish the rules in advance.

Does the wheel work on a phone?

The page is responsive for modern desktop and mobile browsers. If the list is long, use one item per line so it is easier to review and edit on a small screen.