How to Make a Wheel Spinner

You can make a spinning wheel online in under a minute, build one in PowerPoint or Excel, or craft a physical one from cardboard. Here is how each method works.

1. Online (fastest, about one minute)

  1. Open the custom wheel maker.
  2. Type your entries, one per line, and add colours or weights.
  3. Add a title and a logo, then press Share or Save.

This is truly random, works on any device and keeps a history of results.

2. In PowerPoint

  1. Insert → Chart → Pie chart; type your options as categories with equal values.
  2. Remove the legend, add data labels with category names.
  3. Draw an arrow shape at the top as the pointer.
  4. Select the chart → Animations → Spin; set duration to 2-3 seconds.

Limitation: PowerPoint’s spin animation always stops at the same angle, so it is not random. For a fair pick, use an online wheel and show it in the presentation with a link.

3. A random name picker in Excel

  1. Put names in A2:A31.
  2. In C2 enter =INDEX(A2:A31, RANDBETWEEN(1, COUNTA(A2:A31))).
  3. Press F9 to pick again.

This picks a random name but has no wheel, no history and recalculates whenever the sheet changes.

4. A cardboard wheel

  1. Cut a cardboard circle and divide it into equal segments with a protractor.
  2. Push a pencil or split pin through the centre so it turns freely.
  3. Add a paper pointer fixed to a base.

Physical wheels are fun but rarely perfectly balanced, heavier sides land more often.

Which method should you use?

MethodTruly randomSetup timeBest for
Online wheelYes1 minEverything
PowerPointNo10 minShow-only animation
ExcelYes2 minPicking from a spreadsheet
CardboardRoughly30 minCrafts and events

Written and tested by · Editorial Team · Last updated