Type the names, press Start and let the cats decide. The finishing order is drawn fairly before the first paw moves; the race just shows it.
A cat race is a random name picker with little 8-bit cats. Every name becomes a pixel cat in its own colour, with pointy ears, a pink nose and a tail that flicks as it runs. The cats dash across a blocky wooden floor, trade the lead and pounce over the finish line. You get a podium for the top three and the full order below it.
It is a cheerful way to draw names for a class, a team or a stream. Up to 60 cats fit on the track, the race can run full screen, and the results copy in one click.
How to run a cat race
- Type or paste the names, one per line. Each line is one racer.
- Pick a race length: about 10 seconds for Short, up to about a minute for Epic.
- Press Start race. The camera follows the leader along the pixel track.
- When the last racer arrives, check the podium and the full order, then press Copy results or run it again.
Is the cat race fair?
Yes. When you press Start, the page shuffles the names with your browser's crypto.getRandomValues, and every finishing order has the same chance. That shuffle is the result. Each cat then gets a speed curve with bursts and slow patches, tuned to cross the line at its assigned moment.
The overtakes are animation, and nothing during the race changes the outcome. Colour and lane do not matter. Your list stays in your browser and is never uploaded.
Ideas for cat races
- Pick a random winner for a pet-themed giveaway.
- Choose who shares next in a meeting or a classroom.
- Draw the order for a game night.
- Pick who feeds the office plant this week.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put an icon next to each cat's name?
Yes. Choose an icon set in the race settings, or start a line with an emoji, like "🐟 Mia", to give that racer its own icon.
Can I paste a list from a spreadsheet?
Yes. Copy a column from Excel or Google Sheets and paste it into the names box, and each row becomes one racer. You can also import an .xlsx, CSV, Word or text file.
Can the same name win twice in a row?
Yes, every race is a fresh draw. If each name should only win once, tick Remove winner after race and the winner is taken off the list.