Free · No sign-up · Fair drawDuck Race Name Picker
Paste names, press Start, and a random duck race picks the winner — on a phone or a projector.
Add at least two names to race.
Every entry gets an equal chance. The result is drawn before the animation starts.
When you press Start, the complete finishing order is drawn in your browser with a Fisher–Yates shuffle driven by crypto.getRandomValues, the browser’s cryptographic random source. The race then plays out that order, so lane, name length, screen size and frame rate cannot change who wins. Copying, downloading or printing gives you a handy record of the draw with the time from your device; it is not independent proof, since any file or clock can be edited.
0 horses
One per line. Duplicates are fine — each line is its own numbered duck.
The finishing order is drawn by a cryptographic shuffle before the ducks move.
First past the line wins. Save the full order, or remove the winner and race again — with undo.
What this duck race name picker does
It is a duck name picker: a random name picker dressed up as a duck race. Every name you type becomes a numbered rubber duck in its own lane. Press Start and the full finishing order is drawn by a cryptographic shuffle, then the ducks bob down the water and play out that order. First one past the chequered line wins, and the whole finishing order is listed underneath so you can copy, print or download it.
The idea is borrowed from the charity duck races run on rivers all over Britain and Australia, where a few thousand numbered rubber ducks are tipped off a bridge and the first one to the finish takes the prize. This is the same suspense in fifteen seconds, on a classroom projector or a phone.
Who uses it
How to run a duck race
- Paste your names, one per line. Duplicates are fine — each line becomes its own numbered duck.
- Choose the length and how many winners you need, then press Start race.
- Show it on the big screen with the fullscreen button, so the whole room watches the same draw.
- Keep the result — copy, download or print the full finishing order, or remove the winners and race the rest again.
Prefer something else? The same draw runs as a horse race name picker, a car race, or a fantasy draft order generator.
Questions
Is the duck race actually random?
Yes. When you press Start, the complete finishing order is drawn by a cryptographic shuffle (crypto.getRandomValues driving a Fisher-Yates shuffle) before a single frame is drawn. The race you watch is a replay of that draw, so frame rate, lane position, name length and screen size cannot change who wins.
How many ducks can I race?
Between 2 and 50 names. Above 24 the field splits into two columns so every duck stays readable on a projector.
Do I need to sign up or install anything?
No. There is no account, no email and no app. Your list stays in your own browser and is never uploaded.
Can I use this instead of a real charity duck race?
It is a name picker, not a fundraiser. It draws a random winner from a list you type in; it does not sell tickets, take payments or handle money in any way.
Duck name picker, duck race picker — are they the same thing?
Yes, it is all one tool. Whatever you call it — a duck name picker, a duck race picker, or a random name picker with ducks instead of a wheel — you paste a list of names and it draws a winner for you.
Can I pick more than one winner?
Yes. Set Winners to the number of prizes and the finishing order highlights exactly that many ducks, in order.