Frequently Asked Questions
This page answers the questions people ask most often about Spin the Wheel: how the random selection actually works, whether results can be influenced, how to build and save your own wheels, and how to use them in a classroom, a giveaway or a live stream.
The short version on fairness: every entry on a wheel takes a slice of exactly the same size, and the stopping point is generated randomly on each spin. Nothing is weighted, and the wheel keeps no memory of earlier spins — which is why the same result can come up twice in a row without anything being wrong.
If you are new here, the fastest way in is the main wheel, where you can type your own options and spin straight away. For a ready-made setup, browse the wheel directory or start with the yes or no wheel, the wheel of names or the random number generator.
Still stuck? The contact page reaches us directly, and the blog covers longer walkthroughs for classrooms, giveaways and events.
How does the wheel decide which entry wins?
Every entry takes a slice of exactly the same size. When you spin, the winning slice is drawn using your browser’s cryptographic random number generator, and the wheel then animates to that slice. The draw also rejects the small number of values that would make earlier slices very slightly more likely, so each entry has the same chance on every spin.
Can the result be rigged, or does the site favour certain answers?
No. Nothing is weighted and the site does not read what your entries say — a slice labelled “yes” has exactly the same chance as one labelled “no”. The order you type names in makes no difference either.
Why did the same option win twice in a row?
Because each spin is independent and the wheel keeps no memory of earlier results. On a four-entry wheel a back-to-back repeat happens roughly one time in four, so short streaks are normal rather than a sign that something is broken.
How do I put my own options on the wheel?
Type them straight into the list beside the wheel in Main Mode — the wheel redraws as you type. Use Add new item for extra rows, and the × on a row to delete it.
Can I paste a whole list at once instead of typing each entry?
Yes. Switch to Text Mode, paste your list with one entry per line, and press Apply. This is the quickest way to load a class register, a list of names or a set of prizes.
Can I load a list from Excel, Google Sheets or a CSV file?
Yes. Use the import button and choose an
.xlsx, .xls, .ods, .csv or .txt file. If the file has several sheets or columns you pick which one to use, so you can import a single column out of a larger spreadsheet.Is there a limit on how many entries I can add?
There is no fixed limit. The labels shrink as the list grows, so beyond roughly fifty entries the text on the wheel gets small — at that point Text Mode is easier for editing, and the Results tab is easier for reading what came up.
Can a winner be removed so it cannot be picked again?
Yes. Turn on the option to remove the selected entry in the wheel settings, and each winner drops off the wheel after it is drawn. That is what you want for a raffle with several prizes, for splitting a group into teams, or for working through a list without repeats.
Can I save a wheel and use it again later?
Yes. Saved wheels are kept in your own browser, so they are still there the next time you open the site on the same device. If you create an account and save while signed in, your wheels follow you to other devices as well.
Is it free, and do I need an account?
The wheel is free and you do not need an account to build one, spin it or save it on your own device. An account only exists so that saved wheels can follow you between devices.
Can I put the wheel on my own website or blog?
Yes. The embed page gives you a snippet you can paste into your own page, and the embedded wheel works the same way as it does here.
Does it work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The wheel, the entry list and the settings all work on a touch screen, so you can run a draw from a phone that is passed around a table or held up in front of a group.
Can I turn the sounds off?
Yes. The ticking sound, the winning sound and the losing sound can each be switched off in the wheel settings, and the speaker button in the header mutes everything at once. The setting is remembered on your device.
Can I change the colours or the style of the wheel?
Yes. You can pick a different layout, choose one of the ready-made colour themes, or set the colour of an individual slice and its text. You can also change the pointer colour and turn the confetti on the winning screen on or off.
Can I make the spin last longer or shorter?
Yes. The settings control both how long the wheel spins for and how fast it turns, so you can have a quick result for a classroom transition or a long, suspenseful spin for a live audience.
Can I use it for a giveaway or prize draw?
Yes, and it is a common use. Paste your entrant list in Text Mode, turn on the option to remove each winner, and draw the prizes one at a time on screen so everyone can see the result. If people pay to enter, check the rules that apply where you are — a prize draw with paid entry can count as a lottery in some countries.
Can I use it in a classroom?
Yes. Teachers commonly use it to pick a student to answer, to split a class into groups, to choose the next activity, or to order presentations. Removing each name as it is drawn gives everyone a turn before anyone repeats.
Does it work for a live stream?
Yes. Because the spin happens on screen in front of the audience, a stream viewer can see the entries go on the wheel and watch the result land, which settles the question of whether a draw was genuine far better than reading a name off a list.
Are my entries private?
The wheel you are working on stays in your browser. Saved wheels are stored on your own device, and they are only sent to us if you choose to save while signed in to an account. Your entries are not published anywhere on the site.
What is the difference between the ready-made wheels and the main wheel?
The main wheel starts blank so you can type whatever you need. The wheel directory holds hundreds of wheels that already come filled in — food, films, names, numbers, teams and so on — which is quicker when you want a ready list. Every ready-made wheel can still be edited before you spin it.
