What a draw produces
A draw takes a list of entries and returns the winners you asked for, selected without replacement. Nobody is picked twice inside the same draw, and the entries that were not selected stay visible so you can see who remained in the pool.
That last part is what separates a draw from a spin. A wheel shows one pick dramatically; a draw gives you a result you can read out and record — winners in order, prizes attached, reserves listed behind them.
Selection uses the browser's cryptographic random source, and the tool discards values that would tilt the outcome toward entries near the top of your list. The order you typed names in does not affect their chances.
Run a draw in four steps
Enter everything before you draw: changing the list after a result means running a new draw.
Enter the participants, one per line, up to 200 entries.
Choose a draw mode: one winner, several winners, prizes matched to winners, or an assignment for every entry.
Set how many winners you need, add reserves if a winner might drop out, and list the prizes one per line.
Run the draw and reveal the winners together or one at a time.
Reserves, prizes and sequential reveal
Each control exists to cover a draw that a single random pick handles badly.
- Four draw modes: single winner, multiple winners, prize matching, and an assignment for every entry
- Up to 200 entries and up to 200 winners in one draw
- Prize lists, matched to winners in the order the prizes are entered
- Up to 50 reserve winners, drawn behind the main results
- Sequential reveal, which uncovers winners one at a time instead of all at once
- A visible list of the entries that were not selected
- An optional return setting that governs whether an entry can go back into the pool
Giveaways, shift rotas and secret assignments
Draws fit the moment where a named outcome has to be recorded, not just witnessed.
A giveaway host draws three winners and one reserve from a list of entrants, then reveals them one by one on a livestream.
A workshop assigns a prepared role to each participant rather than choosing only a few winners.
A manager allocates four weekend shifts across a team of twelve without appearing to choose favourites.
A conference draws door prizes, matching a different prize to each of the five winners.
A games club selects two volunteers to demonstrate the next activity and keeps the remaining names available.
A class raffle draws a winner, with two reserves in case the first names are absent.
Four draw modes and when to use each
Single and multiple winners differ only in count: both select from the pool without replacement, so the same entry cannot appear twice in one result; duplicate names still represent separate entries. Prize mode adds a second list and pairs prize one with winner one, which is why the prize count should match the number of winners you asked for.
Assignment mode is the odd one out. Instead of choosing a few names from many, it gives every entry an assignment, which is what makes it work for role allocation and seating. Reserves sit behind the main winners in draw order, so the first reserve is the one who steps up if a winner withdraws.
What this tool is not suitable for
This is not a certified or auditable lottery mechanism. Where a regulator, a licence or a betting rule requires verifiable draw records, use the process that rule specifies.
Prizes are matched by position, not by preference. The tool cannot take account of what a winner would rather have.
A result exists in the moment you run it. If the draw needs to be evidenced later, record it — as a shared session, a screenshot, or a written note countersigned by someone present.
Running a draw people accept as fair
- Read the entry count out before you draw. Most disputes are about who was on the list, not about the randomness.
- Draw reserves in the same run as the winners rather than holding a second draw later — it removes any argument about a changed pool.
- Match your prize count to your winner count before running, or the last winners come back without a prize attached.
- Use sequential reveal for an audience and a single reveal when you just need the result recorded.
Draw and giveaway questions
How do I pick more than one winner?
Choose the multiple-winner mode and set the number you need. Winners are drawn without replacement, so each of them is a different entry, up to 200 in a single draw.
Can the same person win twice?
Not inside one draw — entries are selected without replacement. Returning an entry to the pool is a separate action, available only when the return setting is enabled.
How do I give each winner a different prize?
Use prize mode and enter one prize per line. Prizes are matched to winners in the order you listed them, so keep the prize count equal to the number of winners.
What does the assign-every-entry mode do?
It gives every name on your list an assignment instead of selecting a few winners. That is the mode for role allocation, seating and any draw where everyone gets something.
How do reserves work?
Reserves are drawn behind the main winners, in order, up to 50 of them. The first reserve is the entry that steps up if a winner withdraws, and they come from the same pool in the same run.
Can I reveal winners one at a time?
Yes. Turn on sequential reveal and the winners are uncovered one by one, which suits a live audience better than showing the whole result at once.
How many names can I enter?
Up to 200 entries in a single draw. A larger pool needs a tool that supports the entire list; splitting it into unequal batches can change the odds.
Is this valid for an official prize draw?
No. Treat it as a fair way to reach a decision, not as a licensed lottery. If your draw is regulated, follow the process your regulator requires and keep its records.