Random Pick From List Calculator

Work out random pick from list instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Random Pick From List Calculator

The seed is passed through a linear congruential step and reduced modulo the list length, so the same seed always picks the same option while a different seed shuffles the choice. A seeded pick is reproducible, which matters when a group needs to verify later that nobody re-rolled until they liked the answer.

Formulas

Index selection

index = ((seed x 1103515245 + 12345) mod 2^31) mod number of options

Even chance

chance of each option = 1 / number of options

Worked example

With the default values below, Random Pick From List Calculator returns Selected option of pizza. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

List of options (comma separated): pizza, curry, pasta, sushi, tacos, salad
Seed numberminimum 1: 7

Results

Selected option: pizza
Options in the list: 6
Chance of each option: 16.667%
Position chosen: 1

Step by step

1Values used
2Index selection
3Even chance
4Selected option= pizza
5Options in the list= 6
6Chance of each option= 16.667
7Position chosen= 1

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 2 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Random Pick From List figure worked out?

index = ((seed x 1103515245 + 12345) mod 2^31) mod number of options. The seed is passed through a linear congruential step and reduced modulo the list length, so the same seed always picks the same option while a different seed shuffles the choice.

Why does this matter?

A seeded pick is reproducible, which matters when a group needs to verify later that nobody re-rolled until they liked the answer.

What do I need to enter?

Enter list of options (comma separated), seed number. The defaults shown are a realistic worked example — swap in your own figures to get a result you can use.