Random number from 1 to 20
Tap to pick again · Esc to exit
Press the spacebar or Enter to pick again. Your range, options and the numbers drawn are saved in this browser.
About the 1 to 20 number picker
This page picks a random number from 1 to 20. A number is ready the moment the page opens, shown big enough to read across a classroom. Press Pick again or the spacebar for the next one.
Many classes and clubs have about 20 people, and many quizzes have about 20 questions. That makes 1 to 20 a handy range for fair turns. Each number has the same 1 in 20 chance, and nothing is sent anywhere.
Features
- Ready at once — a number from 1 to 20 shows when the page opens
- Every student one turn — No repeats draws each number once until all 20 are out
- Big screen — Fullscreen shows the number huge on a projector or a TV
- A list of drawn numbers — see who has had a turn and how many are left
- Remembers the round — close the page, come back tomorrow, and go on drawing
- Several numbers at once — make pairs or small groups in one pick
- Change the range — 1 to 24 or 1 to 30 for a bigger class
Ideas for the classroom and clubs
- Pick a student — give every student a number from the class list. Pick a number, and that student answers, reads or comes to the board.
- Fair turns — tick No repeats, and nobody is picked twice before everyone has had a turn.
- Quiz questions — number 20 questions on a sheet and let the page choose the next one.
- Spelling and reading — pick which of the 20 words of the week to spell, or which page of the book to read aloud.
- Group work — set "How many" to 2 with No repeats to make a random pair, and pick again for the next pair.
- Games — 1 to 20 is the same range as a twenty-sided die. For tabletop role-playing games, the D20 Roller adds advantage and natural 20s.
Why "No repeats" matters with 20 numbers
Without No repeats, each pick is new, and numbers come up twice much sooner than most people think. This table shows the chance that at least one number repeats:
| Picks without No repeats | Chance of at least one repeat |
|---|---|
| 2 | 5% |
| 3 | 14.5% |
| 5 | 41.9% |
| 6 | over 50% |
| 8 | 80.2% |
| 10 | 93.5% |
After only 6 picks a repeat is more likely than not. And to see every number from 1 to 20 at least once, you need about 72 picks on average. In a class that feels unfair: some students are picked again and again, and some never.
With No repeats ticked, 20 picks give 20 different numbers. The line under the buttons shows Drawn so far (5 of 20) and the numbers already out.
The chance of each number
On a normal pick each number has a 1 in 20 chance, or 5%. With No repeats ticked, the chance grows as the hat empties: on the first pick it is 1 in 20, on the second 1 in 19 for each number still in, and on the last pick the one number left is certain.
Examples
- Class of 18. Set "To" to 18 and tick No repeats. Each pick names one student. After 18 picks the page says that everyone had a turn.
- Pairs for a project. In a class of 20, set "How many" to 2 with No repeats. Each press gives one pair, like 14 and 3, until all 10 pairs are made.
- Today's 5 questions. From a sheet of 20 questions, set "How many" to 5, tick No repeats and Sort ascending. You get five different questions in order, like 2, 7, 11, 16, 19.
Frequently asked questions
Is every number equally likely?
Yes. The numbers come from your browser's secure random generator, and the page throws away the rare raw values that would favour some numbers. Every number from 1 to 20 has exactly the same chance.
What happens when all 20 numbers are drawn?
The page tells you that the last number is out. Press Start over to put all 20 numbers back for a new round.
Will my round still be there tomorrow?
Yes, on the same device and browser. The numbers drawn are saved in this browser only. Private windows forget them when they close.
Can I use it for a bigger class?
Yes. Change "To" to the number of students, for example 28. The page starts a new round for the new range.
Can students see it on the board?
Press Fullscreen and the number fills the screen. Tap the screen or press the spacebar to pick the next student.
Related tools
- Random Number 1 to 10 — a number from 1 to 10
- Random Number 1 to 100 — a number from 1 to 100
- D20 Roller — a twenty-sided die for role-playing games
- Team Generator — split a list of names into teams
- Spin the Wheel — pick a name with a spinning wheel
- Random Number Generator — any range you like
How to use it
- Open the page — a number from 1 to 20 is already there
- Tick No repeats so every number gets one turn
- Press Pick again or the spacebar for the next number
- Press Fullscreen to show it on the board, and Start over for a new round
- Change From and To if your class has more or fewer than 20 people
