How SpinNames Randomness Works
A plain-language explanation of how the SpinNames wheel picks fair, unbiased winners.
Is SpinNames truly random?
Yes. SpinNames picks every winner with crypto.getRandomValues(), the cryptographically secure random number generator built into modern browsers. It is the same source of randomness used by password managers and security software, and it is far less predictable than the Math.random() function many simple picker tools rely on.
How a winner is chosen
When you press Spin, SpinNames first chooses the winning entry using secure randomness. It then calculates a spin animation with several extra full rotations so the wheel lands exactly on that slice. The animation is for suspense and visibility; the outcome is already fixed fairly before the wheel starts moving, so nobody can time a click to influence the result.
Equal odds and weighted mode
By default every entry has an equal chance of 1 divided by the number of entries. If you enable weighted mode in settings, each entry can be given a weight, and its probability becomes its weight divided by the total of all weights. This is useful for raffles where people earn extra tickets.
Why this matters for giveaways and classrooms
Streamers running viewer giveaways and teachers calling on students need results that everyone accepts as fair. A secure random source combined with a visible spin gives audiences confidence that the host did not pick favorites.
Privacy by design
All randomness and all of your entries stay inside your browser. SpinNames does not upload your name lists to a server, so you can safely use real student names or viewer usernames.