Random Number Generator

What the random number generator does

Set a range, choose how many numbers you want and press Generate. Each number is picked by your browser's cryptographic random number generator, so every number in the range has the same chance of coming up.

You can ask for whole numbers or decimals, make sure no number repeats, and sort the results so they're easy to read.

How to use the number picker

1. Set the minimum and maximum. Type any range, or tap a quick preset: 1–10, 1–100 or 1–1000.
2. Choose how many numbers. Ask for one number for a single pick, or a whole batch at once.
3. Turn on No repeats if every number must be different, just like drawing numbered tickets from a hat.
4. Turn on Sort to show the results in order instead of the order they were drawn.
5. Pick whole numbers or decimals. For decimals, choose how many decimal places you want.
6. Press Generate (or the Space bar). Press it again for a fresh set.

Ways to use a random number picker

Raffles and giveaways

Give every ticket or entry a number, set the range to match and turn on No repeats. Draw as many winners as you need in one go, with no chance of the same ticket winning twice.

Classroom picks

Number your students and pick one at random to answer, read aloud or go first. It feels fair to everyone because nobody chooses.

Games and challenges

Play "guess my number", pick a random page of a book to read, or choose how many push-ups the loser has to do. A random number 1-10 is a quick way to score anything from a joke to a meal.

Checking and sampling

Need to spot-check a long list? Generate a handful of row numbers and check those rows. Decimal numbers are handy when you need sample data for a spreadsheet or a test.

Making choices

Write your options as a numbered list and let the generator choose. If your options are words rather than numbers, the random list picker does the same job without the numbering.

Tips for picking random numbers

• Make the range big enough. With No repeats on, you can't get more different numbers than the range holds – 1 to 10 only has ten.
• Sort for draws, don't sort for order. Sorting makes a list of winners easy to read. Leave it off if the order of the draw matters, such as first, second and third prize.
• Use 1–100 for percentages. A random number 1-100 is a quick way to test "a 25% chance" style rules in games.
• Prefer dice? The dice roller rolls d4 to d100 with a running total.
• Want letters instead? Try the random letter generator.