Spinner Wheel: Random Name Picker
A colourful spinner wheel for picking names, questions or activities at random. Type the list, press Spin, and the wheel slows down and shows the pick. Tick a box to remove each name after it is picked, so everyone gets a turn.
How to use this page
- Type the names or choices, one per line. They are remembered on this device for next time.
- Press Spin, click the wheel or press the space bar. The wheel slows down and the name under the pointer is shown.
- Tick Remove each name after it is picked so everyone gets a turn before anyone is picked twice.
- Press Full screen to show the wheel on a projector or interactive whiteboard.
About this classroom tool
Teachers use a name picker to choose who answers, who goes first or which group presents, and it is fair because the computer does the choosing. The wheel uses the browser's secure random numbers, so every name has the same chance on every spin. Use it for review questions, brain breaks or prizes as well as names. It works on a laptop, an interactive whiteboard or a projector, and your list is remembered on your own device for next time.
Tips
- Use it for more than names: questions to review, brain-break activities, prizes or book choices.
- Let a student press Spin; it shows the choice is fair.
- Keep one list per class in a document and paste it in when the class changes.
- Shuffle the order if you want the colours to change.
Common questions
Is the wheel really random?
Yes. Each spin uses the browser's secure random number generator, so every name has the same chance.
Are the names saved anywhere?
Only in this browser on this device, so they are there next time. Nothing is sent to makekite or anyone else.
Everything on this page is made in your browser and nothing you type is sent anywhere. It works on a laptop, an interactive whiteboard or a projector, and Full screen makes it easy to see from the back of the room. For more, see the worksheets and printable paper.