What Is a Wheel of Names? A Plain Guide
What Is a Wheel of Names? A Plain Guide A wheel of names is a free online program where you insert a list, click a button, and a wheel will spin until it stops at a random entry. Teachers use it to call students to answer questions. Hosts use it to select random winners for prizes. Families use it to break the __("I don't mind, you pick")__ stand-off over dinner.
By Malik Aiesh Bahadur,
How it works
You add your entries, one per line. When you click spin, one entry is picked at random, then the wheel is animated to show it stopping on that entry. The pick is made before the animation starts, and the animation itself doesn't affect the outcome in any way. I go into more detail about how a spin wheel works in the section dedicated to understanding how a spin wheel draws a winner, but this should be enough for now.
The entries can have any kind of data, not necessarily just names, that's why it makes more sense to call them entries than names. Foods, chores, dares, movie titles, prize tiers and numbers can all be used with the wheel. "Wheel of names" is just a phrase people tend to search on Google, so it's used as a label for the tool.
Each entry takes up an equal portion of the wheel, unless the weighting feature is used. Placing ten names on the wheel would give each of them an equal chance of 1 out of 10, regardless of their position relative to the pointer.
Where people use one
of names or another random tool?
The wheel is one of several tools that look similar. This is how I would choose between them.
|
Tool |
What it does |
Best when |
|---|---|---|
|
Spin wheel |
Picks one entry, with an animation |
People are watching and you want a moment |
|
Random order generator |
Shuffles the whole list |
You need turn order |
|
Random team generator |
Splits a list into groups |
You need teams. See our guide to fair teams |
|
Coin flip |
Two outcomes |
Two options only. Try the coin flip |
|
Yes or No wheel |
A yes or no answer |
A quick gut check. Try the Yes or No Wheel |
What a wheel is bad at
Long lists are your first issue. Beyond roughly 30 items, they become unusable - the labels get too tiny to read. Instead of this, you should use a list shuffler or a numbered option picker.
Big decisions are your second issue. Using a wheel to pick a restaurant is fine, but leaving it to a wheel to decide whether you take a new job? Not so much. One thing that I do is consider the outcome a test. If you're spinning the wheel and you're disappointed with the result, you've learned what you wanted to know. This is best for smaller decisions.
Prize draws with legal restrictions are your third problem. Some places have laws about raffles and sweepstakes - and a wheel isn't a legal substitute for either. Chances are, if you're thinking about running a draw for something valuable, you'll want to check the laws in your area.
The last issue is people. A wheel is only fair if everyone willing accepts the result. If the person running the wheel spins again on an undesirable outcome, the whole point is moot - agree on one spin only, and stick to it.
How to make one on Wheel Spiner
Open the Spin Wheel and enter or paste your entries, one per line. Click spin. For an easy wheel, that's all there is to it. To have the winning entries disappear so that they can't be chosen again, turn on the removal option. To use ready-made lists of names or terms, go to the templates section. Detailed instructions with screenshots can be found in how to make a spin wheel in 60 seconds .
One habit is worth building. When entering first names or nicknames for anything relating to children, make sure to consult our privacy page to understand what information we store and why.
Frequently asked questions
What is a wheel of names used for?
Selecting one item from a list at random. Most common uses are picking students, selecting winners of a giveaway, establishing turn order and making decisions within a small group.
Is a wheel of names really random?
A good one is, since the result is determined by a random number generator before the wheel starts spinning, and the spin itself only reveals it.
Is it free?
The Spin Wheel on Wheel Spiner is free to use, and you can make a basic wheel without an account.
How many names can I add?
There is no practical limit from a fairness standpoint. For best results, however, a single spin wheel should not have more than about 30 entries for readability.
Can I use it for things other than names?
Yes, food items, chores, dares, prizes, places and numbers all work just as well.
Can I pick several winners without repeats?
Yes, simply turn on the option to remove an entry after spinning, and click the button once for every prize.
Try it
Paste a list into the Spin Wheel and see how it feels. If you want a head start, the templates have wheels for movies, meals, dates, chores and more.
