Pick a Number from 1 to 100: A Percent, a d100 or a Guessing Game: how it works
Pick a number from 1 to 100 with one tap. Each has a 1% chance, so the pick serves as a percent roll, a d100, a square on a hundred chart or the secret in a guessing game. Tap '0 to 99' if your table or chart counts from zero.
Roll a d100 or test a percent chance
Tabletop players roll a d100 with two ten-sided dice, one marked 0 to 9 and the other 00 to 90. The pair is added, and 00 with 0 is read as 100, which is why the range starts at 1. To test a 30% chance, count any pick of 30 or lower as a yes: exactly 30 of the hundred qualify.
Guess my number in 7 tries
One player presses and hides the screen. The other guesses and hears only "higher" or "lower". Guess 50 first, then the middle of what is left. Each answer halves the field, and seven halvings cover 128 numbers, so seven guesses always find it. Six cover only 64, so a limit of six makes it a contest.
Tips
- On a hundred chart the pick sits in the row of its tens: 47 is in row 5, seventh square along.
- A random number between 1 and 100 averages 50.5 in the long run. Ask for 100 and read the average underneath.
- A single 100-sided die went on sale in 1985. One magazine test of 5,164 rolls found numbers above 93 and below 8 came up less often.
Questions and answers
Can people pick a random number between 1 and 100 in their heads?
Not well. Tell a friend 'give me a random number between 1 and 100' and you get a choice, not a draw: most studies find that people who try to produce random numbers leave patterns, such as switching between choices too often. A press has no habits. Your browser makes the pick, which suits games and lessons.
Is a random number 1-100 the same as a percentage?
Nearly. Each pick is one of 100 equal steps, so reading 42 as 42% works for a chance roll or a made-up test score. The range leaves out 0%. For 0 to 100, which is 101 values, or for decimal places, use the random percentage generator.
Can I draw several door-prize winners from 100 tickets?
Yes, for a free draw such as door prizes. Set how many to the number of prizes and switch repeats off, so no ticket wins twice. If you gave out fewer than 100 tickets, type the real total into the highest box first. A raffle with paid tickets has rules set where you live, and this page is not the method for it.