Random tools · Free tool
Random Number Generator 1-5: Pick a Number 1 to 5
Quick answer
Press Generate to get a random whole number from 1 to 5. Each number has exactly a 1 in 5 chance (20%), and results never depend on earlier draws. Tick No duplicates to draw several different numbers for a raffle.
| Range | 1 to 5 (5 possible numbers) |
|---|---|
| Chance of any one number | 1 in 5 (20%) |
| Draws to see every number at least once (average) | about 11.4 |
Picking from 1 to 5 suits five-option choices: a random day of the working week, a 1-to-5 star rating for a game, or choosing one of five team members. Each number has a 20% chance.
## How fair is a random number from 1–5?Every whole number from 1 to 5 has the same chance on every draw: 1 in 5, or 20%. The generator uses crypto.getRandomValues, the cryptographically secure random source built into every modern browser, and throws away the rare raw values that would make some numbers slightly more likely than others (a fix for what programmers call modulo bias). Nothing is sent to a server and nothing is remembered between draws.
P(any one number) = 1 ÷ 5 = 20%Each draw is independent, so a number that just came up is exactly as likely to come up again.
Chance of getting a specific number at least once
If you need one particular number, say 3, here is how likely it is to appear at least once as you keep drawing:
| Draws | Chance your number appears at least once |
|---|---|
| 1 | 20% |
| 2 | 36% |
| 3 | 48.8% |
| 5 | 67.23% |
| 10 | 89.26% |
| 5 | 67.23% |
The formula is 1 − (4/5)^draws. Notice that even after 5 draws you are not guaranteed to see your number: the chance is only about 67.23%.
Chance of a repeated number
When you draw several numbers with duplicates allowed, repeats come sooner than most people expect:
| Numbers drawn | Chance at least two are the same |
|---|---|
| 2 | 20% |
| 3 | 52% |
| 4 | 80.8% |
With 5 possible numbers you only need 3 draws for a repeat to be more likely than not. If repeats would spoil your draw, tick No duplicates.
Using it for a raffle or giveaway
- Number your entries from 1 to 5 (or set Min and Max to match your list).
- Set How many numbers to the number of winners and tick No duplicates.
- Press Generate once, in front of your audience or on a screen recording, and use the first result.
Drawing again until you get a result you like isn't random any more, so decide the rules before you press the button.
Other ranges
1–10 · 1–100 · 1–4 · 1–6 · 1–20 · 1–3 · 1–8 · 1–30 · 1–50 · 4-digit · Custom range
For dice with any number of sides, use the online dice roller. To see how casino games turn random numbers into results, read our odds vs probability guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is this 1–5 number generator really random?
It uses your browser's cryptographic random generator (the same source browsers use for encryption keys) with rejection sampling, so every number from 1 to 5 has exactly the same 1 in 5 chance. Previous results never affect the next one.
What are the odds of getting the same number twice in a row?
For any specific number, it's 1 in 25. For any repeat of whatever came up first, it's 1 in 5 (20%), because the second draw just has to match the first.
How many draws until a number repeats?
With 5 equally likely numbers, there's a better than even chance of at least one repeat after 3 draws. That surprises people, but it's the same maths as the birthday problem.
Can I pick several numbers with no duplicates?
Yes. Set how many numbers you want and tick 'No duplicates'. That's the right setting for raffles and giveaways, where each ticket should only win once.
Sources
- Crypto: getRandomValues() method — MDN Web Docs