Spin the Wheel of Names

Wheel of names: questions and answers

What is the wheel of names?

It is a free random name picker, also called a name spinner: type or paste names, one per line, spin the wheel, and it stops on one of them. Every name gets a slice of the same size, so every name has the same chance. Spin and Wheel runs in the browser on a phone, tablet or computer, with no sign-up and no app to install.

How do I spin the wheel of names?

Type or paste your names into the Entries box, one per line; the wheel updates as you type. Then click the wheel or press Rotate The Wheel. The picked name appears in a pop-up, where Spin again starts the next round. You can also spin hands-free with Voice control (see below).

How do I pick names without repeats?

When a name is picked, press Remove in the pop-up: the name leaves the wheel and cannot come up again. Every picked name is listed in order in the Winners tab. To put everyone back on the wheel later, open the Winners tab and press Use as entries.

Can the wheel of names be rigged?

There is no hidden setting that changes the odds. Each line in the Entries box is one slice, all slices are the same size, and the stopping point is random on every spin. The only way to give a name a better chance is visible to everyone: entering it twice gives it two slices.

Is it free? Do I need an app?

Spin the wheel of names for free, as often as you like, with no account. It works in any modern browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge), so there is nothing to download from an app store.

Are my names saved?

Your list is saved in this browser on this device, so it is still there when you come back. Names are not sent to an account. Clearing your browser data removes the saved list. To move a wheel to another device, use Share QR code: the code opens the same wheel with the same entries.

How many names can I add?

There is no fixed limit. With a long list each slice gets thinner and the labels get smaller, but every name still has the same chance. For a large raffle, entrant numbers instead of full names keep the wheel readable.

Can I spin without touching the screen?

Yes. In Settings, turn on Voice control, allow the microphone, and say the spin command ("Wheel spin" by default; you can change it). Voice-over reads the picked name aloud, and Auto rerun spins again after the number of seconds you choose. Voice control works best in Chrome.

Can I make teams, or spin numbers and yes/no answers?

For groups, the random team generator splits a list of names into teams in one go. For other spins there are separate wheels: the number wheel for a range like 1–100, the yes or no wheel for quick decisions and the letter wheel for a random letter.

What people use the wheel of names for

Calling on students in class

Paste the class list once, then spin the wheel of names whenever you need a volunteer, a reader or someone to answer. Press Remove after each pick so every student gets a turn before anyone is called twice.

Raffles and giveaways

Paste the entrants' names or ticket numbers and spin the wheel of names on screen so everyone sees the draw. For several prizes, remove each winner and spin again; the Winners tab keeps the order. For official prize draws, check the rules that apply where you run them.

Picking teams and groups

Spin team captains or the first pick with the wheel. To split a whole class or office into groups at once, use the random team generator instead.

Presentation and speaking order

Spin, press Remove, and repeat until the wheel is empty. The Winners tab then shows the full order from first to last, ready to read out or copy.

Who goes first in games

Board games, card games and party games all start with the same question. Put the players on the name picker wheel and let one spin decide.

Chores and weekly tasks

Put the family or flatmates on the wheel and spin for dishes, trash or the shopping run. The list stays saved in the browser, so next week's spin takes one tap.

Live streams and chat giveaways

Add viewers' names and spin on stream. OBS Links gives a link you can add to OBS as a browser source; the OBS setup guide shows the steps.

Meetings and stand-ups

Spin to decide who gives their update first, who takes notes or who picks the next icebreaker question. It is quicker than waiting for a volunteer.

Food, films and other choices

The wheel accepts any text, not only names. Enter restaurants, films or weekend plans, one per line, and spin when the group cannot decide.

Secret gift exchange order

Use the wheel to decide the order in which people pick or open gifts. Removing each name keeps the order fair and the Winners tab records it.

Writing and drawing prompts

Fill the wheel with characters, settings or topics and spin for a starting point. Spin twice and combine the results for a harder prompt.

Tips for the wheel of names

Paste from a spreadsheet. Copy a column of names from Google Sheets or Excel and paste it into the Entries box: each cell becomes one line and one slice.

Shuffle and Sort. These buttons change where names sit on the wheel. They do not change anyone's chance: every slice stays the same size.

No repeats. To use it as a random name picker with no repeats, press Remove after each pick. The name leaves the wheel and appears in the Winners tab, so you always know who has had a turn.

Extra chances. To give someone two chances (for example, two raffle tickets), enter the name twice. It is the only way to change the odds, and everyone can see it on the wheel.

Hands-free spins. Voice control spins the wheel when you say your command, and Voice-over announces the result, which helps when you are standing at the front of a room.

Timed rounds. Auto rerun spins again after the number of seconds you set, useful for quick classroom rounds or a stream that runs on its own.

Share the same wheel. Share QR code opens your wheel, with the same names, on another phone or a classroom screen.

Full screen. The full-screen button in the header shows the wheel large enough for a projector or a TV.

Keep it fair and fun. Spin the wheel of names for everyday choices, games and classroom turns. For decisions that matter, use it to break a tie, not to replace judgment.