Random Picker

This tool has two modes. Random Number generates several random integers or two-decimal numbers inside a range you set. Draw / Lottery picks one or more entries at random from a list you paste in. The randomness comes from the browser's cryptographic generator (crypto.getRandomValues), which is harder to predict than the usual Math.random. It is still a lightweight utility: it keeps no history, cannot save your lists, and offers no notarization or audit trail, so it is not suitable for legally binding or high-stakes prize draws.

How to use Random Number mode

1. Click the Random Number button at the top and enter a range in Minimum and Maximum. The default is 1 to 100.
2. Type how many numbers you want in Count. The default is 5.
3. Tick 'Allow decimals (2 places)' if you want numbers with two decimal places. When this is ticked, 'Allow duplicates' is greyed out, because repeated values can always occur with decimals.
4. Untick 'Allow duplicates' to get distinct integers, which suits lottery-style number picking.
5. Click Generate. Results appear as a row of tags, and the copy button above them copies the values separated by commas.

How to use Draw / Lottery mode

1. Click Draw / Lottery and enter one name or option per line in the candidate list. The label shows a live count of items. The page comes with five sample names that you should replace with your own.
2. Set 'Number to draw'. The default is 1.
3. Tick 'Allow repeat winners' if the same entry may be drawn more than once. It is off by default, so each entry can win at most once.
4. Click Draw. The Winners list shows the result, and the copy button copies it joined with the Chinese enumeration comma.

Example scenarios

A teacher who wants to call on 3 of 40 students can paste the roster into Draw mode, set the number to 3 and leave repeats off. Friends deciding who pays for dinner can draw 1 name. For a board game that needs dice, use Random Number with a range of 1 to 6, a count equal to the number of rolls, and duplicates allowed. To put 6 colleagues into a random speaking order, set the range 1 to 6, the count to 6 and untick duplicates, which yields a random permutation of 1 to 6. Because every run is random, no specific outcomes are quoted here.

Limits and known quirks

• In Random Number mode the minimum must be strictly less than the maximum; equal values are rejected with 'Minimum must be less than maximum'. Count must be a positive whole number, otherwise you see 'Please enter a valid range and count'.
• With duplicates off, if the range holds fewer integers than the count you asked for, the tool says there are not enough integers in the range to draw that many unique numbers.
• For integers, the maximum can be drawn (the range is inclusive). With fractional bounds, integer results only come from the whole numbers inside the bounds (1.5 to 5.5 yields 2 to 5); a range with no integer shows an error.
• Without duplicates, a modest range (up to 100,000 integers) is listed and shuffled; for a huge range with a small count the tool draws one at a time and skips repeats, so the tab does not freeze.
• In decimal mode, a value is drawn uniformly within the range and rounded to two decimals, so the upper limit itself can appear.
• Draw mode trims spaces around each line and ignores blank lines, With 'Allow repeat winners' off, identical lines count as a single candidate; with it on, each identical line is a separate entry, so a name written twice has double the chance.
• There is no hard cap on the draw count, but without repeats it cannot exceed the number of lines. Otherwise you get 'Draw count cannot exceed the list size (duplicates not allowed)'.
• Nothing is saved. After a reload or leaving the page, you need to enter everything again.

Is the randomness actually fair?

It uses the browser's cryptographically secure random source, and draws use a Fisher-Yates shuffle, so every entry has an equal mathematical chance. There is no built-in bias. What the tool cannot do is prove to others that you did not redraw: you can click as many times as you like. For a public draw, share your screen live and agree beforehand that there will be only one draw.

Can I guarantee different results each time?

No. Randomness means each run is independent, so two identical results in a row are possible, especially with small ranges or short lists. If you need distinct values within one run, untick 'Allow duplicates'.

Can I use it for an official lottery or promotional prize draw?

That is not recommended. The tool leaves no record, has no independent witness and cannot export a draw log. Draws that involve money or legal obligations should follow your local rules and use a method that provides records and verification.

Why does copying use different separators?

Random Number mode copies values separated by an English comma and a space, which pastes well into spreadsheets or code. Draw mode copies names joined by the Chinese enumeration comma, which suits chat messages. If you need another separator, paste into a text editor and replace it.

Privacy and processing

Your list and numbers are handled only inside your browser, and the random values are generated by the browser on your own device. Nothing is sent to a server or stored. Closing or reloading the page clears what you entered.