The US state picker puts all 50 states on a single wheel in alphabetical order, from Alabama to Wyoming. Spin it and one state is chosen at random, with every state given the same chance. Rhode Island is as likely to come up as Texas. Washington, D.C. and the territories are not on the default list, but you can add them in the entry box.
Teachers use it to hand out state report topics without anyone claiming the popular ones first. Families use it for license plate games, trivia nights, and picking a state to learn about over dinner. It also works for planning: spin to choose the next state on a bucket list or the theme for a potluck.
State report assignments
Handing out 50 states to a class by hand can lead to trades and complaints. A spin keeps it simple.
- Turn on remove-winner so each state goes to one student only.
- Call a student's name, spin, and write down the state.
- Use the results history to check who got which state.
- Save the wheel to reuse with next year's class.
Quiz questions for any state
For a quick geography review, spin and ask a question about the state that comes up. Good ones: What is the capital? Which states border it? Which region is it in? Name a river, a national park, or a big city there.
To narrow the quiz, cut the list to one region, such as New England or the Pacific Northwest, and save that version as its own wheel.
Road trip and travel ideas
Some people spin to pick the next state they want to visit, then plan a route around it. For a shorter trip, list only nearby states. The wheel gives you a starting point. You still choose the stops, the season, and how far you are willing to drive.
Frequently asked questions
Are all 50 states on the wheel?
Yes. The default list has all 50 states in alphabetical order, each on its own slice. Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and other territories are not included, but you can add them as extra lines.
Can I make a wheel for just one region?
Yes. Delete the states you do not need and keep only one region, such as the Midwest or the South. Save that wheel in this browser so you can open it again without editing the list.
Can each student get a different state?
Turn on remove-winner. Each state leaves the wheel once it is picked, so no two students get the same one. With 50 states, most class sizes will finish with some states left over.
Why are the state names small on my screen?
Fifty slices is a lot for one wheel, so the labels shrink to fit. Full-screen mode gives each slice more room. On a phone, turning it sideways also helps the names fit better.