How-to guide Weighted picker

How to Make a Weighted Random Selection

Here’s how to make a weighted random selection: give each option a positive numeric weight and draw one result from the combined weighted pool.

How to Make a Weighted Random Selection

Three options use weights 3, 2, and 1. Their total is 6. Select Load example to populate the supplied list, or replace it with your own entries. Nothing is generated until you select Pick an option.

Input

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Result

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Add your entries and generate to see the result here.

Runs in your browser. Your input is not uploaded.2–10,000 weighted entries · 1 pick

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Enter labels and positive weights

    Use option | weight on each line. A weight describes the option’s share relative to the total.

  2. Check the weight totals

    Use consistent units such as entry counts or percentage values. Combine records that should represent one option.

  3. Draw a single option

    Select Pick an option. Save the result before another draw; remove an option manually when later draws must exclude it.

Worked example

Three options use weights 3, 2, and 1. Their total is 6.

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

Example input

Option A | 3
Option B | 2
Option C | 1

Example result

1. Option A

The intended shares are 3/6, 2/6, and 1/6: 50%, about 33.3%, and about 16.7%. One result is not expected to demonstrate those proportions by itself.

Weights describe relative chances, not guaranteed quotas

A weight of 3 does not mean an option will win three times in the next six draws. Independent generations can repeat an option. If you need exactly three A outcomes, two B outcomes, and one C outcome in a block, create that repeated-entry list and shuffle it instead. That is a fixed-composition sequence, not independent weighted selection.

Settings and limits to check

The example has 3 retained entries. At least two entries are needed. Weights must be positive finite numbers no greater than 1,000,000,000 each. An option’s theoretical share is its weight divided by the sum of all weights; values need not sum to 100. Each generation selects one option and keeps the original choices for the next draw. Zero-weight choices should be left out.

Settings used in this example
Remove duplicate entries: Off

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

Do higher weights guarantee an option will win?

No. They increase its share of the weighted pool; an eligible lower-weight option can still be selected.

Must my weights add to 100?

No. Only relative weights matter. Values 3, 2, 1 produce the same relative shares as 30, 20, 10.

Can a chosen option win again?

Yes. Each click starts another draw from the current list. Remove previous winners yourself when repeat winners are disallowed.

What should I check in the worked example?

The intended shares are 3/6, 2/6, and 1/6: 50%, about 33.3%, and about 16.7%. One result is not expected to demonstrate those proportions by itself.