The Random Letter Wheel picks one letter of the alphabet at random. Spin it for word games such as Scattergories and Stop, for alphabet and phonics practice, or for naming anything “beginning with…”. Each of the 26 letters has a 1 in 26 chance (about 3.8%), and you can narrow the wheel to vowels, consonants or the letters that make good games.
How to use the Letter Wheel
- Keep all 26 letters, or choose Vowels, Consonants or Word-game letters from the quick lists.
- Tap or click the wheel to spin.
- Use the letter in your game — every answer has to start with it.
- Turn on "Take the winner off the wheel afterwards" so each round gets a new letter.
Word-game letters
Hard letters make some rounds impossible, so many party games leave them out. The Word-game letters list drops Q, U, V, X, Y and Z, leaving 20 letters — the same set printed on the 20-sided die in the board game Scattergories. Every letter left on the wheel then has a 1 in 20 (5%) chance.
Games to play with a letter wheel
- Categories / Scattergories — spin a letter, then everyone names a fruit, a city, a band and an animal starting with it before the timer ends.
- Stop (Bus Stop, Tutti Frutti) — the first player to fill every column shouts “Stop!”.
- Alphabet scavenger hunt — find something in the room beginning with the letter.
- Story starter — the next sentence must start with the letter.
- Phonics practice — say the sound, write the letter, name three words.
Letters in the classroom
Spin vowels only to practise short and long vowel sounds, or consonants only for beginning sounds. With Take the winner off the wheel afterwards switched on, you can work through the whole alphabet in a random order without repeats, and Results keeps the order for you.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a random letter?
Click the letter wheel. It lands on one of the 26 letters of the alphabet, each with an equal 1 in 26 chance.
Which letters are left out in Scattergories?
The Scattergories letter die has 20 letters and omits Q, U, V, X, Y and Z. Choose "Word-game letters" to spin the same set.
Can I spin only vowels or only consonants?
Yes. Pick Vowels (A, E, I, O, U) or Consonants (the other 21 letters) from the quick lists.
Can I avoid getting the same letter twice?
Turn on "Take the winner off the wheel afterwards" in Settings and each letter is removed once it has been picked.