Random Sample Generator
Draw a simple random sample of rows or IDs from a population, with or without replacement.
Random Sample Generator
Sample of 10 from 1000
Population
How to use the sample generator
- Paste your population, or set 1 to N to sample from numbered rows.
- Set the sample size and choose with or without replacement.
- Generate, then copy or export the sample.
What is a random sample generator
A random sample generator draws a simple random sample of rows or IDs from a population, with or without replacement. Set your population, the sample size and whether items can repeat, and Random Nr pulls a fair sample, which is what surveys, audits and statistics work rely on to keep results unbiased.
Sampling with or without replacement
The one choice that changes everything about a sample is whether a member, once picked, can be picked again.
| Method | Each member | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Without replacement | picked at most once | surveys, audits, drawing winners |
| With replacement | can be picked more than once | the bootstrap and other resampling methods |
Without replacement is the everyday meaning of a sample, the kind you take to survey people or audit records. With replacement is a statistical technique: the bootstrap resamples a data set with replacement thousands of times to estimate how much a result would vary.
What makes a sample fair
A simple random sample means every member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen, and every possible sample of that size is equally likely. This tool achieves it by shuffling the population with a Fisher Yates shuffle from the cryptographic source and taking from the top, which is provably unbiased. A biased sample, one that quietly favours some members, is the most common way a survey goes wrong before a single question is asked.
How random sampling is used in practice
Number your rows and sample the numbers to pick records from a spreadsheet, or paste names to draw a focus group. Your population never leaves the device, which matters for lists you would not upload. To split a group into teams rather than draw a subset, use the group assignment generator, and for a single winner, the raffle generator.
More picker and sampling tools
Frequently asked questions
What is a random sample
A subset drawn from a larger population so that every member has an equal chance of being chosen, which lets you study the whole from a fair slice.
With or without replacement
Without replacement, each item can be picked once, the usual choice for a survey sample. With replacement, an item can be drawn more than once, which suits bootstrap style resampling.
Can I sample from my own list
Yes. Paste your population one item per line, or leave it empty and set 1 to N to sample from numbered rows.
How large can it be
Populations up to one hundred thousand and samples up to ten thousand, which covers most practical sampling.
Is it free
Yes, free and with no sign up.
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To split a list into groups instead, use the group assignment generator, or draw plain numbers with the no repeats generator.