Tombolio

Random name picker

Paste your list, then press “Pick winners”.

Paste your list of participants, set how many winners you need and run the draw: the names come out in a numbered order, ready to copy or post.

Without replacement, each name can only be picked once. With replacement, the same name can come up several times, as if the slip went back into the hat.

How to use it

  1. Paste the list of participants, one name per line. A column copied from a spreadsheet or an export of comments works straight away.
  2. Enter the number of winners to draw.
  3. Leave “With replacement” unticked if each name should only come up once; tick it if the same name can be picked several times.
  4. Press “Pick winners”: the winners appear numbered in the order they were drawn.
  5. Copy the result or the share link to keep a record of the list you used.

Ways to use it

  • Instagram or TikTok giveaway

    Export or copy the usernames of everyone who entered, draw the number of winners stated in your rules, then post the numbered result with the link to the list.

  • School fair or club raffle

    Enter the names or ticket numbers and draw every prize in one go: the order of the result shows who gets the first, second and third prize.

  • Make pairs or groups

    Draw every name in the class without replacement: the result is a random order you simply cut into groups of two, three or four.

  • Choose volunteers at work

    Who tests the new feature, who covers Friday’s on-call shift: draw two names from the team list and move on.

  • Allocate limited spots

    More sign-ups than places for a trip or workshop? Draw the people who get in, then keep drawing to build a waiting list.

How the randomness is guaranteed

Each winner is drawn by your browser’s cryptographic generator (crypto.getRandomValues), not by Math.random, whose output can be predictable.

The draw uses rejection sampling to avoid modulo bias: in a list of 1,000 participants, each one has exactly the same probability of being picked.

Without replacement, a picked name is removed from the pool before the next draw, which guarantees distinct winners. With replacement, each draw starts again from the full list.

The draw happens on your device: the list of participants is never sent to a server. It stays in your browser and, if you choose, in the share link.

Frequently asked questions

Is this online name picker fair?

Yes. Every participant has the same probability of being picked, thanks to the browser’s cryptographic generator and a method that removes modulo bias.

What if someone appears twice in the list?

Each line counts as one entry, so a name listed twice is twice as likely to be picked. Remove duplicates before the draw if your rules allow only one entry per person.

What’s the difference between with and without replacement?

Without replacement, a name can only come up once: that’s the usual setting for choosing several winners. With replacement, each draw uses the full list and the same name can come back.

Can I draw more winners than participants?

Only with replacement. Without it, the number of winners is capped at the number of participants: if you ask for more, everyone is drawn in a random order.

How can I prove the result to my followers?

Record or stream your screen during the draw, then post the result along with the share link, which contains the exact list of participants.

Does Tombolio run my giveaway?

No. Tombolio only provides the drawing tool. The rules, the winner announcement and sending any prizes remain your responsibility as the organizer.

Is the list of participants stored?

Only in your browser, so you can find it on your next visit. It is never sent to our server, and the “Clear list” button deletes it.

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