Generate a random whole number from 1 to 5, for picking one of five options or a 1–5 rating.
Press Generate for a random number between 1 and 5. Both ends are included and each of the 5 numbers has exactly a 1 in 5 chance.
Odds for numbers between 1 and 5
Possible numbers
5
Chance of any one number
1 in 5 (20.0%)
Chance of repeating the last number
1 in 5
Chance a given number appears at least once in 5 picks
67.2%
Average result over many picks
3
Even / odd numbers
2 even, 3 odd
The last-but-one row surprises many people: even with 5 picks, a particular number has a 32.8% chance of never coming up, because picks are independent.
What a 1–5 range is used for
A random number between 1 and 5 is handy for picking one of five options or a 1–5 rating.
What are the odds of getting a specific number between 1 and 5?
Each number has a 1 in 5 chance (20.0%) on every pick.
Can the same number come up twice in a row?
Yes, if repeats are allowed: the chance of repeating the previous number is 1 in 5. Tick "No repeats" when picking several numbers to get all-different results.
Are 1 and 5 included?
Yes. Both ends are included, so there are 5 possible numbers.