Random name picker
The random name picker that puts on a show
Type in your names, press play, and let a flying saucer, a game-show wheel or a marble race pick one person. The draw is fair and locked in before the show starts, so the only thing left to chance is how dramatic it gets.
- Free, no sign-up
- 2 to 16 names
- Provably fair
How it works
Add your names
Type 2 to 16 names, or paste a whole list at once.
Choose a show
Six games, from a UFO abduction to a knockout arena. Same fair odds in every one.
Press play
The winner is drawn and sealed first, then the show reveals them.
Why pick names with Headspin?
- Six different shows instead of one spinning wheel, from a UFO abduction to a knockout arena.
- A provably fair draw: the winner is sealed with SHA-256 before the animation begins.
- “Everyone gets a turn” mode, so nobody is picked twice until the whole group has had a go.
- Free, no sign-up, and your list stays saved in your browser.
- Works on phones, laptops and projectors, with light and dark themes.
Great for
Choosing who goes first in class or at game night, picking the next presenter in a meeting, settling who buys coffee, drawing a winner for a small office raffle, or just deciding who does the dishes. Anywhere a hat full of paper slips would work, Headspin works better and looks a lot more fun.
Six ways to pick a name
- UFO AbductionA saucer drops out of the night sky over a sleepy farm, sweeps the crowd with its scanner, and beams up one lucky earthling.
- Marble Grand PrixEveryone gets a marble on a neon mega-track. Live standings, lead changes, and a photo finish decide who crosses first.
- Claw MachineA glowing prize cabinet packed with name capsules. The claw wobbles, feints, grabs — and drops one lucky capsule down the chute.
- Neon PlinkoA towering neon peg board. One chip, dozens of real physics bounces, and a slot with your name at the bottom.
- Big WheelA towering game-show wheel with chasing marquee lights and a flapper that clacks every peg — right down to the last teetering tick.
- Knockout ArenaEveryone drops into a floating arena. Hazards sweep, the floor crumbles, and bumpers fly until only one is left standing.
Questions
Is it really random?
Yes. The winner is drawn with your browser’s cryptographic random number generator before the show starts, and every name has exactly the same chance. The animation only reveals a result that is already locked in.
How many names can I add?
From 2 to 16 names per game, each up to 40 characters. Paste a whole list at once and Headspin splits it into names for you. Duplicate names are numbered automatically so everyone stays distinct.
Is it free? Do I need an account?
Headspin is free and there is nothing to sign up for. Your names and settings are saved only in your own browser, so the list is still there next time you open the site on the same device.
Can I make sure nobody gets picked twice?
Turn on “Everyone gets a turn”. Each winner sits out the following draws until everyone has been picked once, then a new cycle starts. “Reset turns” brings everyone back early.
Can I share my list?
Yes. Press “Share list” under the names to get a link. Anyone who opens it gets the same names and game, ready to play. The names ride in the link itself, so they are never stored on a server.
Does it work on phones and projectors?
Yes. It runs in any modern browser on phones, tablets, laptops and big screens, with a fullscreen mode (press F) for projecting to a room. Graphics quality adjusts to the device automatically.