Random.org

{{Short description|Random number generator based on atmospheric noise}}

{{pp-semi|small=yes}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox website

| name = Random.org

| logo = Random.org logo.svg

| logo_size = 250px

| screenshot = random.org screenshot 2009-10-23.png

| screenshot_size = 250px

| caption = Random.org as of October, 2009

| url = {{URL|https://www.random.org/}}

| commercial =

| type = Web service

| language = English

| registration = optional

| owner = Mads Haahr

| author = Mads Haahr

| launch_date = 1998

| current_status = online

| revenue =

| content_license =

}}

Random.org (stylized as RANDOM.ORG) is a website that produces random numbers based on atmospheric noise.{{cite news |last=O'Connell |first=Pamela LiCalzi |title=Lottery Numbers and Books With a Voice |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/08/technology/circuits/08diar.html |accessdate=2009-10-23 |date=2004-04-08 |work=New York Times |quote=Other sites also offer true random numbers, said Mads Haahr, lecturer in computer science at Trinity College, Dublin |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726093822/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/08/technology/circuits/08diar.html |archivedate=July 26, 2009 }}

In addition to generating random numbers in a specified range and subject to a specified probability distribution, which is the most commonly done activity on the site, it has free tools to simulate events such as flipping coins, shuffling cards, and rolling dice. It also offers paid services to generate longer sequences of random numbers and act as a third-party arbiter for raffles, sweepstakes, and promotions. Random.org is distinguished from pseudo-random number generators, which use mathematical formulae to produce random-appearing numbers.{{cite web|url=https://www.techrepublic.com/article/computer-scientists-derive-truly-random-numbers-using-two-source-extractors/|title=Encryption breakthrough: Scientists derive truly random numbers using two-source extractors|work=Tech Republic|last=Kassner|first=Michael|date=25 July 2016|access-date=12 June 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/random-numbers-plucked-from-the-atmosphere-1.3714968|title=Random numbers plucked from the atmosphere|newspaper=The Irish Times|last=Lynch|first=Peter|date=4 December 2018|access-date=12 June 2021}}

The website was created in 1998 by Mads Haahr,{{cite magazine

| last = McNichol

| first = Tom

| title = Totally Random

| magazine = Wired

| url = https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.08/random.html

| accessdate = 2009-10-23

| date = 2003-08-11

| publisher = Conde Nast Publications

| page = 2

| quote = Mads Haahr, a lecturer in computer science at Trinity College in Dublin, designed the system}}{{cite news

| last = Klarreich

| first = Erica

| title = Take a chance: scientists put randomness to work

| url = http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-126447247/take-chance-scientists-put.html

| archiveurl = //www.random.org/media/ScienceNews-2004.html

| archivedate = 2009-10-23

| date = 2004-12-04

| publisher = Science News

| quote = Haahr's Web site [...] can generate up to 3,000 random numbers per second.}}

a doctor and computer science professor at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Random numbers are generated based on atmospheric noise captured by several radios tuned between stations.{{cite news

| last = Johnson

| first = George

| title = Connoisseurs of Chaos Offer A Valuable Product: Randomness

| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/12/science/connoisseurs-of-chaos-offer-a-valuable-product-randomness.html

| accessdate = 2009-10-23

| date = 2001-06-12

| work = New York Times

| quote = Random.org generates unpredictable sequences of data using a radio tuned between stations, harvesting the atmospheric noise}}{{cite news

| last = Bialik

| first = Carl

| title = How Random Is the iPod's Shuffle?

| url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB115876952162469003

| accessdate = 2009-10-23

| date = 2009-10-14

| publisher = Wall Street Journal}}