How-to guide Decision wheel

How to Make a Spinning Wheel with Names

Here’s how to make a spinning wheel with names: enter one unique name per wheel entry and spin after checking the participant list.

How to Make a Spinning Wheel with Names

Six people have one entry each on a small wheel. The draw chooses one person rather than ordering everyone. Select Load example to populate the supplied list, or replace it with your own entries. Nothing is generated until you select Spin the wheel.

Input

Paste or type below
0 items

Ctrl + Enter to generate (⌘ on Mac)

Result

Waiting for input

No result yet

Add your entries and generate to see the result here.

Runs in your browser. Your input is not uploaded.2–20 choices

Step-by-step instructions

  1. List acceptable choices

    Enter at least two options that you would actually accept. Remove unsuitable choices before spinning.

  2. Check that every option has one entry

    Use one line per equal-chance option. Identical repeated entries can be removed with the duplicate setting.

  3. Spin and use the selected option

    Select Spin the wheel. Follow the displayed result or save it before another generation. Decide any exception rule beforehand.

Worked example

Six people have one entry each on a small wheel. The draw chooses one person rather than ordering everyone.

One valid result is shown below. Your generated outcome will vary.

Example input

Alex
Jamie
Morgan
Taylor
Sam
Jordan

Example result

1. Jordan

The winning label is selected from the six equal-chance entries. The wheel animation does not create an eligibility record or notification.

Use the correct tool when you need several names

The wheel draws one option per spin. For multiple distinct people, use Name Picker and choose them in one batch. Repeated spins on the original wheel can select the same name again. Add initials for shared names and avoid entering one person several times unless multiple entries are explicitly part of your draw rule.

Settings and limits to check

The example has 6 retained entries. The wheel accepts 2–20 retained entries and gives each entry an equal chance. It does not research the choices, check suitability, or apply explicit weights. Longer lists use numbered wheel segments with a label key. If probabilities should differ, use Weighted Random Picker rather than presenting an equal-entry wheel as a weighted draw.

Settings used in this example
Remove duplicate entries: On

Keep a usable copy of the result

Use Copy to place the current result in your own notes, or Download to keep a text file. Keep the eligible input list with the result when you need to explain which entries took part. A new generation replaces the displayed result rather than adding to a saved history.

The tool runs in your browser and does not upload your input. Save the result before refreshing or leaving the page. If other people need to use the same outcome, share your saved copy rather than asking them to generate another independent result.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add more than 20 names?

The wheel limit is 20 retained entries. Use Name Picker for a longer list.

Can I give one choice a larger explicit weight?

Use Weighted Random Picker for numeric weights. This wheel chooses among its entries with equal probability.

Does the wheel know which option suits me?

No. It chooses only from the text you supply. Filter the choices yourself before spinning.

What should I check in the worked example?

The winning label is selected from the six equal-chance entries. The wheel animation does not create an eligibility record or notification.