How To Create a Random List of Numbers in Google Sheets

Creating a random list of numbers in Google Sheets is handy for mock data, simulations, shuffling items, or simple practice exercises. Google Sheets has built‑in functions that can generate random values for you, and once you understand how they work, you can mix and match them for many different tasks.

This guide walks through the main methods, what each one actually does, and the key settings that change your results.

Core idea: how randomness works in Google Sheets

Google Sheets includes three key functions for randomness:

• RAND() – generates a random decimal number between 0 and 1
• RANDBETWEEN(min, max) – generates a random whole number between two numbers
• RANDARRAY([rows], [columns], [min], [max], [whole_number]) – generates a whole array (grid) of random numbers

Important behavior:

• These functions are volatile: they recalculate when:
  • You edit the sheet
  • You press F5 (reload) in the browser
  • Google decides the sheet needs recalculation
• That means your “random” list can change every time unless you convert it to static values.

If you just need a quick, changing random list (for testing formulas, for example), you can leave it dynamic. If you need something fixed (e.g., a permanent random order of IDs), you’ll usually generate the list, then copy‑paste it as values.

Method 1: Simple random whole numbers with RANDBETWEEN

If you want a single column of random integers (whole numbers), RANDBETWEEN is the most straightforward.

Basic single random number

In any cell, type: