Quick answer: A fair random number generator gives every value in the range the same chance, and the numbers cannot be predicted. This tool uses your browser’s cryptographic random source and rejects values that would introduce bias. Rolling two six-sided dice, the sum 7 is the most likely, with 6 ways out of 36, or 1 in 6.
Choosing a raffle winner, picking lottery numbers, deciding who goes first, or settling an argument with a coin flip: sometimes you need a result nobody can argue with. This tool generates random whole numbers or decimals in any range, and can also flip a coin and roll dice.
Ask for one number or up to a thousand. Turn on “no repeats” to draw numbers without replacement, like pulling tickets from a hat, and sort them if you need an ordered list.
How the numbers are generated
The generator uses your browser’s cryptographically secure random source, the same kind used for passwords and encryption, rather than the simple Math.random function. To keep every number in the range equally likely, it discards any random value that would create a bias, a technique called rejection sampling.
With “no repeats” turned on, the tool draws each number once, like dealing cards from a shuffled deck. The range is inclusive, so a range of 1 to 6 includes both 1 and 6. If you enter a minimum larger than the maximum, the two are swapped.
This tool is for everyday choices, games and classroom use. It should not be used to run a regulated lottery or gambling game.
A worked example
Example. To draw three different winners from 250 ticket numbers, set From to 1, To to 250, How many to 3, and turn on “No repeats”. To simulate a board game, set the dice tool to two six-sided dice: you will see each roll and the total.
Two dice: how likely is each sum?
| Sum of two dice | Ways to roll it | Chance |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 2.8% |
| 3 | 2 | 5.6% |
| 4 | 3 | 8.3% |
| 5 | 4 | 11.1% |
| 6 | 5 | 13.9% |
| 7 | 6 | 16.7% |
| 8 | 5 | 13.9% |
| 9 | 4 | 11.1% |
| 10 | 3 | 8.3% |
| 11 | 2 | 5.6% |
| 12 | 1 | 2.8% |
Thirty-six equally likely combinations. The distribution is a triangle, which is why 7 comes up most often and 2 and 12 are rare.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Expecting random numbers to look evenly spread. Streaks and repeats are normal, and a run of the same result does not mean the next one is “due”.
- Using a simple built-in generator for anything that matters, such as a prize draw. Use a cryptographic source, as this tool does.
- Forgetting to switch on “no repeats” when drawing winners. Otherwise the same number can be picked twice.
Frequently asked questions
Are the numbers truly random?
They are generated with your browser’s cryptographic random number generator, which is suitable for fair draws and games. Computers cannot produce “pure” randomness, but this source is unpredictable for any practical purpose.
How do I pick random numbers without repeats?
Turn on “No repeats”. Each number can then appear only once, and you can ask for as many as the range allows.
Is the range inclusive?
Yes. Both the minimum and the maximum can be picked. A range of 1 to 10 can return 1 and 10.
Is a coin flip really 50/50?
Yes. The flip uses a random bit, so heads and tails are equally likely. Streaks of the same result are normal in random sequences.
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Sources and further reading
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