A fair random name picker for cold-calling

Cold-calling works best when it is genuinely fair — every pupil knows they might be next, and no one gets asked twice while others are never asked at all. The Random Name Picker makes that effortless.

How it was built

The picker draws names at random but without replacement: once a pupil is picked they are set aside until everyone has had a turn, then the round resets. You can mark pupils absent so they are skipped, and either pull in a saved class or just type a list of names. Press the button, or tap Space or Enter, to pick.

By default it looks clean and professional, which suits any age group. Turn on fun mode for colours and a confetti celebration when a name lands — handy for younger classes or end-of-term. There is no sound, so it will not interrupt a quiet room or a neighbouring class.

How to use it well

• Pull in a saved class, or paste a list of names for a one-off.
• Mark today's absentees so they are skipped — absent marks reset overnight.
• Let the round run to completion so everyone is asked once before anyone is asked twice.
• Switch on fun mode for younger pupils; leave it off for a calm, professional feel.

Where your data lives

Everything you type stays in your browser. There is no account and no server-side database — class lists and saved work live in your browser's own storage on the device you are using. You can export a backup or clear everything at any time from the Classes page.