Ladder Draw
Match people to outcomes down a ladder
Input
One per line · 0 so far
One per line · 0 so far
You need at least two participants and two outcomes.
Ladder
You need at least two participants and two outcomes.
Crossbars are placed with a cryptographic random source and never overlap.
A ladder draw assigns each person exactly one outcome, which a simple random pick cannot guarantee. Good for splitting chores, drawing Secret Santa or assigning presentation slots — and more fun to watch than a list.
How to use
- 1 Enter the participants, one per line.
- 2 Enter the outcomes, the same number of lines.
- 3 Reshuffle the ladder if you want a different arrangement.
- 4 Click a name to trace its path, or reveal everything at once.
Frequently asked questions
Is every outcome equally likely?
Yes. The crossbars are placed randomly, and with enough of them every participant is equally likely to reach any given outcome. It is also guaranteed one-to-one — nothing is doubled up or left out.
Why use a ladder instead of just shuffling?
The result is the same; the experience is not. Everyone can see the paths, which makes the outcome feel arrived at rather than announced. That matters when the outcomes are chores.
Does it need equal numbers on both sides?
Yes — every participant maps to exactly one outcome. If you have fewer outcomes than people, pad the list with blanks or duplicates.