Random Name Picker
Built for long lists. Type or paste the names, or import them from an Excel, Word, CSV or TXT file; choose the number of winners and reserves, then draw fairly.
Participants
Enter one name per line. If you use a single line, you can separate names with commas. Hundreds or thousands of names are fine.
The draw takes place in your browser using cryptographic randomness — fair and secure.
Other Draw & Raffle Tools
Draw names online from a long list
When there are lots of participants a wheel stops being practical — that’s exactly what Name Draw is for. Paste hundreds or even thousands of names as text, enter how many winners and reserves to pick, and draw. Because the result is decided by your browser’s cryptographic randomness it is fair and secure; every participant has an equal chance.
You can also use the tool as a random number picker: enter one number per line, choose how many winners you need and start the draw. Selected numbers are not repeated within the same draw; for a traditional bingo caller and board, use the dedicated Bingo tool.
How do you use it?
Enter or paste one participant per line; if you use a single line, you can also separate names with commas. On desktop, “Import file” accepts XLSX, XLS, CSV, TSV, TXT and DOCX files. In Excel and CSV, full names can be in one column, or you can combine two columns when first and last names are stored separately. Extra columns and multiple sheets are fine. For TXT and DOCX, one participant per line gives the cleanest import. Check the preview, add the list, set the number of winners and reserves, then press “Draw”.
Where can you use the name draw tool?
Whenever you need to pick a random winner from a long list of names:
- Instagram and social giveaways: Paste hundreds of commenter usernames, pick winners and reserves in seconds — easy to document with a screenshot.
- Classroom presentations and rotations: Random student picks, presentation order, who reads next.
- Five-a-side captains and Sunday league picks: Fair captain selection, side draws, kit rotation for grassroots football.
- Office rota and shift assignments: Who covers Saturday, who leads the standup, who runs the client meeting — no favouritism.
- Backup winner picks: When a winner doesn't respond, draw the next name from the recorded reserve list.
- Podcast and YouTube prizes: Listener and subscriber draws with clear public evidence.
- Bingo & raffle numbers: Paste numbers instead of names — one per line (e.g. 1–90) — to draw bingo numbers, pick a random number or set a running order.
What are reserves for?
If one of the main winners can’t take part or doesn’t claim their place, the reserves step in one by one. It’s especially handy for situations that need a main + reserve list, such as apartment/building draws, school registrations, workplace and association raffles.
Frequently asked questions
How large a list can I draw from?
There’s practically no limit; you can paste and draw hundreds or thousands of names at once. The tool stays fast even as the list grows.
Can I draw numbers or bingo numbers?
Yes. Instead of names you can paste numbers — one per line or comma-separated (e.g. 1–90) — then draw. That makes it handy as a bingo number generator, random number picker or running-order tool.
Are the results really random and fair?
Yes. The list is shuffled with your browser’s cryptographic random number generator and the winners are picked from it. The result isn’t known in advance and no name is favoured.
What is the number of reserves for?
It sets the names that will step in if a main winner drops out or can’t attend. They’re listed in order right after the winners.
How should I enter the names?
Write one name per line or separate them with commas. Empty lines are ignored automatically.
How do I import participants from a file?
You do not need a special template. In XLSX, XLS, CSV or TSV files, full names can be stored in a single column. If first name is in column A and last name is in column B, select both columns and the importer will combine each row—for example, “Alex” + “Smith” becomes “Alex Smith”. Other columns such as email or department can remain in the file. You can also choose the sheet to use and skip the first row when it contains headers. Standard CSV/TSV formatting is parsed correctly, so a comma inside a properly formatted cell—for example “Smith, Alex”—stays part of the same name. For TXT and DOCX files, one participant per line is the safest layout. Check the preview before adding the list. Files can be up to 10 MB and are processed entirely on your device; they are never uploaded to the server.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. The draw works smoothly on phones, tablets and computers. To keep the mobile interface simple, file import is shown only on desktop; on mobile you can type or paste the names directly.
How many names can I add to a draw?
In principle unlimited — in practice performance drops above 10,000 entries. Lists of 1-500 finish in seconds; corporate draws with thousands run smoothly too.
How many winners can I pick?
As many as you like. Set the winner count anywhere from 1 up to the total number of participants. Selected names are removed from the pool, so no name is picked twice (unless duplicates exist).
How do I use it for an Instagram or YouTube giveaway?
Copy the usernames of commenters and paste them into the list. Press "Draw Winner" — the result can be shared as a screenshot. You can also pick backup winners in the same run.
Are the names and data I enter stored?
No. Everything runs only in your browser; the names and lists you enter are never sent to a server, stored or shared with anyone. When you close the page, this data is gone.
Does it take up storage on my device?
No, it takes up no storage at all. Online Kura is not a downloaded app; it runs entirely in your browser and nothing is installed on your phone or computer. If you like, you can add it to your home screen and use it like an app — with none of the storage.
How do I add Online Kura to my phone’s home screen?
iPhone (Safari): open the page, tap the Share icon and choose “Add to Home Screen”. Android (Chrome): open the three-dot menu at the top right and tap “Add to Home screen” (or “Install app”). Then you can open Online Kura like an app with one tap.