Exclusions
Pairs that must not happen, for example a couple.
- No exclusions.
All pairs
Draw Names Online for Secret Santa and Gift Swaps
Need to draw names without a hat? Add everyone, press one button and the tool pairs the whole group at once. Everyone gets one person to give to. Nobody gets their own name.
Your browser's secure random tool makes the draw, so no one can steer it. Each person then taps their own name to see who they got, one at a time, in private.
How to Draw Names Online
- Add the names. Type or paste one name per line. You need at least 3 people and at most 200. The page starts with six sample names, so replace them.
- Add exclusions if you need them. Pick a person, then pick who they cannot draw. Switch on "Both directions" to keep a couple apart.
- Press "Draw names." The tool makes the whole draw in one go.
- Pass the screen around. Each person taps their own name, reads who they drew, then presses Hide. The name is wiped and the button shows "Seen", so the next person cannot see it.
- Draw again if needed. "Draw again" makes a brand-new draw from the same list.
Draw Names for Secret Santa Without Drawing Your Own
The classic problem is someone pulling their own name from the hat. It happens a lot. If you shuffle names at random, the chance that nobody gets their own name is only about 37%. That stays about the same for 6 people or 60. So a hat often needs a redo.
This tool skips the redo. It keeps drawing until nobody has their own name and no exclusion is broken. Every valid draw is equally likely, so it is fair to everyone.
Pairs That Must Not Happen
Set these before you press the button.
Couples. Add one exclusion with "Both directions" on. Neither partner can draw the other.
Family or housemates. Add an exclusion for each pair you want to keep apart.
Too many rules. If your rules leave no valid draw, the tool tells you "No valid draw exists with these exclusions." Remove one rule and try again.
Names must be different. If two people have the same first name, add an initial, like "Sam K." and "Sam L."
Draw Names From a Hat, But Online
A paper hat has charm, but it also has problems. Someone peeks, someone tears a slip, someone forgets who they drew. An online draw gives you the same idea without those problems. Each person sees only their own result, and the screen wipes it when they press Hide.
Ground Rules That Stop Arguments
Settle these before you draw, not after.
Budget. Agree on one number and stick to it.
Who is in. Add everyone first. If you change the list after the draw, the draw is thrown away and you draw again.
Dropouts. If someone leaves after the draw, the organizer can quietly give their giver a new name. Do not redraw for everyone.
Secrecy. Do not say names out loud. Pass the screen, tap, read, hide.
The organizer button. "Reveal all (organizer)" shows every pair on screen. Only use it if nobody else is looking, for example to fix a mistake.
Is My List Private?
Yes. Nothing you type is sent to a server, and you do not need an account. Your list of names and your exclusions are saved in your own browser so they are there next time. The draw itself is never saved. It lives only in the open tab. If you close or reload the page, the draw is gone, so write down your own result before you do.
Draw Names Wheel or Draw Names Tool?
This page is a pairing tool, not a wheel. It is built to give every person exactly one name. If you only want to pick one name from a list with a spin, use the home wheel instead. For raffles, the raffle wheel is the better fit. To split a group into teams, use the random team generator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this draw fair?
Yes. A secure random generator in your browser makes the draw, and every valid draw is equally likely.
Can nobody draw their own name?
Yes. The tool never lets a person draw themselves.
Can I run a Secret Santa with this tool?
Yes. It was built for that. Everyone gives to one person and receives from one person.
Can I stop two people from drawing each other?
Yes. Add an exclusion and switch on "Both directions."
How many names can I add?
At least 3 and up to 200. Every name must be different.
Can I hide the result from other people?
Yes. Each person sees only their own name in a pop-up and presses Hide when done.
Does it send emails or messages?
No. You pass the screen around. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Is it free, and is my list private?
Yes. It is free and needs no account. Your list stays in your browser.