How selection works
Methodology
Categories, the activity preset and the selection method determine which entries can appear and how the generator chooses them.
Which objects can appear?
The collection contains names of physical, countable objects. Each entry has an identifier, a primary category and, where applicable, a group for closely related objects. The displayed pool size is calculated after your filters are applied.
General uses the eligible objects in your selected categories. Drawing uses a smaller selection and keeps one representative from each group of closely related objects.
Names, categories and corrections
Names and categories are editorial choices, not proof that an object suits every activity. Similar names or classification errors can remain. You can report an entry using its displayed name and category.
Uniform draw
After filters and repeat exclusions are applied, uniform mode gives each eligible object the same chance on each pick. With “No repeats in this batch” enabled, an object already in the batch is excluded from subsequent picks.
Varied batch
Varied mode first prefers groups not yet represented in the batch, then categories with the fewest selected entries. It chooses randomly among the remaining candidates in those categories. Locked objects count towards these preferences.
If every available group is already represented, the mode can reuse a group. It reduces some repetition but does not guarantee distinct shapes, equal category coverage or equal chances for every entry.
Practical limits
Random choices are made in your browser. The interface does not offer saved draws, shareable codes to reproduce a draw or restoration of previous results. The collection and your settings limit the possible outcomes. This is a creative tool, not a source of certified randomness for lotteries, security or cryptography.