How to use NanoSpins, the online wheel spinner

NanoSpins is a free interactive wheel that picks one option at random from the ones you define. It is used for classrooms, raffles, giveaways and group decisions. No sign-up required: create the wheel, spin it and share the link.

1. Create a wheel

1. Click Create a wheel on the home page.
2. Type a title (for example, “What’s for dinner?”).
3. Add at least 2 options. Each option has three fields:
   • Text: the label shown on the wheel (duplicates are not allowed).
   • Emoji: an optional image drawn next to the text.
   • Weight: how likely that option is to win.
4. Reorder options by dragging them from the handle; the live preview updates instantly.
5. Pick colors: automatic palette, predefined palettes or custom colors in #RRGGBB format.
6. Choose visibility:
   • Public: the wheel shows up in the home gallery.
   • Private: only reachable with the link.
7. Enable edit protection if you want to modify or delete the wheel later.
8. Click Create wheel.

If you enable protection, an edit token is generated and automatically stored in your browser’s “My wheels”. Keep it safe if you switch devices: it is never shown again.

2. Spin the wheel and read the result

Click SPIN in the center of the wheel. The animation lasts a few seconds and the winning option is shown in a result dialog, where you can spin again.

The result is not computed by the browser but by the server: a weighted random draw based on each option’s weight. This prevents tampering with the outcome from the client and guarantees the same odds for everyone.

Spin settings (animation duration and speed) are configured in the editor and are purely cosmetic; they never affect the result.

3. Share the wheel

Every wheel has a public link with the shape /en/wheel/my-wheel. Anyone who receives it can spin it from their browser, with no account and nothing to install. Use the Share button to copy the link.

You can also:

• Duplicate the wheel to get your own editable copy.
• Export JSON to keep a backup outside the browser, or Import JSON in the editor to reuse it.

4. Edit or delete a wheel

Only whoever holds the edit token can modify or delete a wheel, from the Edit button. If you lose the token, the wheel becomes read-only and your only option is creating an editable copy with Duplicate.

If you spin someone else’s wheel and want to change it, use Duplicate as well: you get an identical copy with its own token in your browser.

5. History and statistics

Each wheel offers two independent histories:

• Your spins: the results of your session in that browser. You can export and clear them without affecting anyone else.
• Recent spins: the wheel’s global history, with results from every user.

The statistics panel shows total spins and the frequency of each option, useful to see how weighted randomness behaves.

Spin limit

To prevent abuse there is a limit of 30 spins per minute and IP address. When you hit it, a notice asks you to wait a moment before spinning again.