List Randomizer

Why this uses the Fisher-Yates shuffle

This tool shuffles your list with the Fisher-Yates algorithm: starting from the last item, it swaps each item with another randomly chosen item from the remaining unshuffled portion, working backward to the front. The result is a shuffle where every possible ordering of your list is equally likely to appear a mathematically fair shuffle, unlike naive approaches (like sorting by a random number) that can subtly favor certain orderings without anyone noticing. For a raffle or drawing where fairness actually matters, that distinction is the whole point.

Fairly assigning order, not just picking a winner

A lot of randomization needs aren't "pick one winner" but "put everyone in a fair order" deciding presentation order in a meeting, batting order for a game, the sequence interview candidates get reviewed in, or which reading gets covered first in a book club. Because the whole list gets reordered rather than one item getting pulled out, you get a complete, defensible sequence in one click instead of repeatedly drawing single names.

Common uses beyond raffles

Teachers use it to randomize which student presents first or which group gets picked for an activity. Musicians and DJs use it to shuffle a setlist or playlist into a non-repeating fresh order. Project teams use it to randomize the order of code reviews, standup updates, or retro discussion topics so the same person doesn't always go last. Because it works on any list of text lines, it doesn't matter whether the items are names, songs, tasks, or raffle ticket numbers.

What it does and doesn't check

The shuffle treats every line as a separate item, including exact duplicates and blank-looking entries with extra spaces it doesn't try to detect or clean up your list for you. If you need every name spelled and formatted consistently before shuffling, clean up the list first; the tool will faithfully shuffle whatever you give it.

FAQ

Does this remove duplicate items?
No duplicates are kept and shuffled along with everything else, just like the rest of your list. If you need unique entries only, remove duplicate lines yourself before shuffling.

Is my list uploaded anywhere?
No the shuffle happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Nothing is sent to a server, so it's safe to use with a list of real names or private information.

Is the shuffle actually fair, or does it favor certain positions?
It's a true Fisher-Yates shuffle, which is proven to give every possible ordering an equal probability there's no bias toward earlier or later positions in the result.

Can I shuffle a numbered list and keep the numbers with their items?
Yes, as long as the number is part of the same line as the item for example "1. Alice" shuffles as one unit and keeps its "1." attached, though the numbers themselves won't automatically renumber afterward.

How many items can I shuffle at once?
There's no hard limit paste as many lines as you need. Very large lists (thousands of lines) may take a moment longer since the shuffle runs in your browser rather than on a server.