Random number generator

Pick a random number between any two values

Need to pick a winner, roll a virtual die, choose a raffle ticket or settle an argument fairly? Enter a minimum and a maximum, and the random number generator returns a number in that range, with every value equally likely to come up.

Want a 1–6 die roll? Set the minimum to 1 and the maximum to 6. A lottery-style pick from 1 to 49? Same idea. Choosing a random row in a spreadsheet of 250 entries? Use 1 to 250 and go to that row.

Random choices are useful precisely because nobody can influence them. That makes them good for giveaways, classroom activities, assigning tasks and picking samples for testing.

How to use the random number generator

1. Enter the minimum value (the lowest number allowed).
2. Enter the maximum value (the highest number allowed).
3. Generate the number.
4. Generate again whenever you need another pick.

Common uses

• Choosing the winner of a social media giveaway from a numbered list of entries.
• Rolling dice or drawing numbers for board games and tabletop RPGs.
• Calling on students or picking teams in a classroom.
• Selecting random samples for quality checks, surveys or A/B tests.
• Making a quick decision between numbered options.

Tips and things to know

• Both the minimum and maximum can be picked. A range of 1 to 10 can return 1 or 10.
• Each generation is independent, so the same number can come up twice in a row. That's normal randomness, not a bug.
• For a giveaway, number your entries first, publish the range you used, and screenshot the result for transparency.
• To shuffle a list of names instead of numbers, use the list randomizer. For secure secrets, use the password generator instead of random numbers.

Frequently asked questions

Is this random number generator truly random?

Computers produce pseudo-random numbers using algorithms that are unpredictable in practice and evenly distributed. That's ideal for games, giveaways and sampling. Cryptographic keys should come from dedicated security tools.

Can I generate negative numbers?

Yes, as long as the minimum is lower than the maximum, for example -50 to 50.

How do I pick a random winner?

Give each entry a number, generate a number between 1 and the total entries, and the entry with that number wins.

Why did I get the same number twice?

Every pick is independent. In a small range, repeats happen often. In a range of 1 to 10, there's a 10% chance of getting the same number again on the next pick.

Can I roll dice with this?

Yes. Use 1 to 6 for a standard die, 1 to 20 for a d20, or any other range for other dice.

Related tools

• List randomizer: Easily convert a list of given text into a randomized list.
• Password generator: Generate passwords with custom length and custom settings.
• Lorem Ipsum generator: Easily generate dummy text with the Lorem Ipsum generator.
• Number to words converter: Convert a number to written, spelled out words.
• Roman Numerals to Number: Convert roman numerals to a number with ease.