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White Elephant number generator

Skip the slips of paper. Paste everyone's names, draw a random turn order, and drop it in the group chat before the party starts.

  1. 1Add the playersPaste a list or type the names
  2. 2Draw the orderA fair shuffle in one tap
  3. 3Share the numbersGroup chat, email or Slack

0 players. Add at least 3 to draw.

Why the turn order matters

In White Elephant, your number is your fate. Going first means opening a gift blind with nothing to steal, while going last means the pick of everything on the table. Because the order shapes the whole game, it has to be random and it has to look random, which is hard to manage when someone is scribbling numbers on torn-up napkins at the office.

The generator shuffles the names using your browser's cryptographic random number generator, the same kind of randomness used for security keys. Nobody can nudge the result, and because it's posted in the chat, everyone can see the same order at the same time.

How to run the game with your numbers

  • Everyone brings one wrapped gift within the budget and adds it to the pile.
  • Number 1 opens a gift from the pile and shows it off.
  • Each player after that either opens a new gift or steals an opened one from someone else.
  • Anyone who gets robbed picks again, by opening a new gift or stealing a different one.
  • A common limit is that a gift can be stolen three times, after which it's safe with its current owner.
  • When everyone has had a turn, number 1 gets one last chance to steal. That makes up for going first.

Playing a virtual White Elephant

Remote teams can play the same game over a video call. Agree on a budget, and have each person order a gift to their own home or keep it wrapped and ready. Post the turn order before the call so people know when they're up. On their turn, players open their gift on camera or choose to steal someone's. At the end, everyone ships the gift they ended up with to its final owner.

If shipping sounds like too much hassle, swap physical gifts for gift cards. Each person buys a digital gift card, wraps the code in a virtual envelope, and hands it to whoever holds that gift when the game ends.

White Elephant, Dirty Santa or Yankee Swap?

They're largely the same game with different names and a few house rules. White Elephant is the common term across most of the US, Dirty Santa is popular in the South, and Yankee Swap is the usual name in New England. The turn order works the same way for all three, so this generator will suit whichever one your group plays.

Common questions

Updated October 31, 2026

Is the White Elephant generator free?

Yes. It's free, with no sign-up and no limit on the number of players.

Is the draw really random?

Yes. It shuffles the names with your browser's cryptographic random number generator, and every order is equally likely.

Are the names saved anywhere?

No. The shuffle happens in your browser and the names aren't sent to GishFy. They disappear when you close the page.

How does number 1 get a fair turn?

Going first is the worst spot because you have nothing to choose from. The usual fix is to give number 1 a final turn at the end of the game, when they can steal any gift or keep their own.

Can I use this for Dirty Santa or Yankee Swap?

Yes. They use the same random turn order, so it works for any steal-style gift exchange.

How many people can play White Elephant?

Six to twenty is the sweet spot. Larger groups can play, but the game takes about two minutes per person, so a group of 40 might want to split into smaller tables.