Prize Wheel

A weighted spin wheel where big prizes are rare and small wins are common.

About this tool

About the Prize Wheel

A prize wheel only works commercially if the grand prize stays rare, and that is what weights are for. This template assigns each outcome a weight, Grand Prize 1, Big Prize 3, Medium 6, Small 15, Try Again 25, and the segment sizes reflect those weights. Out of 50 total weight, the grand prize wins about 2% of spins while most players still walk away with something or a near-miss.

Adjust the weights to fit your prize budget before the event: if you have 200 expected spins and five big prizes, a weight ratio of roughly 1 in 40 for Big Prize keeps you on target. Rename the segments to your actual prizes, a free coffee, a discount code, a t-shirt, so winners immediately know what they get. Check local rules if your event involves paid entries, since promotions and raffles are regulated in many places.

Four quick steps

How to use it

  1. Rename the five segments to your real prizes and offers.
  2. Tune each weight so expected wins match your prize stock.
  3. Test with a dozen spins to sanity-check how often big prizes hit.
  4. Run the wheel at your booth and let each visitor spin once.

Useful moments

Good for

  • Trade show and conference booths rewarding visitors who stop by
  • School fairs and fundraisers with donated prize tiers
  • Retail spin-to-win promotions tied to a purchase
  • Community events where every spin should feel like a chance at something

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How do the weights translate into odds?

Each entry's chance is its weight divided by the total. Here the total is 50, so Grand Prize at weight 1 wins 2% of spins, while Try Again at weight 25 comes up half the time.

Can I change how often the grand prize hits?

Yes. Raise or lower its weight relative to the others. Doubling every other weight while leaving the grand prize at 1 roughly halves its odds.

Is the spin actually random or does it avoid big prizes?

It is genuinely random within the weights you set. The wheel never suppresses an outcome; a grand prize can be won on the very first spin if the odds land that way.

Keep deciding

Related tools