Random Line Picker
Pick one random line from a list of text lines, one option per line.
Runs in your browser Your input never leaves your device.
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About this tool
This tool picks one random line from the list you paste. Put one option per line; empty lines are ignored. It shows a single line, not a shuffled list, so it suits quick choices such as picking a name or a task. The first pick is made as soon as you type, and the Pick another button draws again (the same line can come up twice, as with a real draw). The pick uses your browser's cryptographic random number generator, with every line equally likely. Everything runs in your browser and the list is not sent anywhere.
How to use it
- Type or paste your options, one per line.
- Read the chosen line in the output.
- Press Pick another to draw again.
How the pick works
Each non-empty line is one entry. Lines that are empty or contain only spaces are skipped, and the chosen line is shown exactly as you typed it.
The pick uses your browser's cryptographic random number generator with rejection sampling, so every entry has the same chance and there is no bias toward the start or end of the list. If the same line appears twice in your list, it is two entries and is twice as likely to be picked.
Picking several lines without repeats
- Paste the full list.
- Note the line that is picked.
- Delete that line from the list. A new pick is made as the text changes.
- Repeat until you have as many lines as you need.
Ways to use it
- Names
- Pick who goes first, who presents, or a winner for a casual giveaway.
- Decisions
- List the options for lunch, a film or a task and let the pick decide.
- Prompts
- Keep a list of writing prompts, questions or exercises and draw one at a time.
- Test data
- Pull a random sample value from a list while testing.
Common problems
- The same line came up again
- Each pick is independent, so repeats are normal. Remove a line from the list if you want to avoid it.
- I wanted the lines shuffled
- This tool returns one line only. It does not reorder the whole list.
- Can I use it for a prize draw?
- It is fair for casual choices. For a draw that must be audited, use a service that records the result.
Frequently asked questions
Do duplicate lines change the odds?
Yes. Each line is a separate entry, so a line that appears twice is twice as likely to be picked. Remove duplicates first if every option should have the same chance.
Can it pick more than one line at a time?
No. It shows one line per pick. Press Pick another for the next draw, or delete picked lines to avoid repeats.