Flip a Coin Online: Is It Really 50/50? (Probability Explained)
A coin flip is the simplest decision maker ever invented — and a perfect introduction to probability. Here’s why a virtual coin is fair, why streaks happen, and how to run a classroom experiment in seconds.
Is a virtual coin fair?
Yes. Each RandNow flip draws from a cryptographic random source with exactly 50% heads and 50% tails. Physical coins, interestingly, show a tiny bias toward the side facing up at the start — a virtual coin has none.
Streaks are normal
Flip 100 times and you’ll very likely see a run of six or more identical results. That’s not a broken coin — it’s how randomness works. Each flip is independent; the coin has no memory, which is why the “gambler’s fallacy” is a fallacy.
Classroom experiment
- Flip 10 coins and note the percentage of heads.
- Repeat with 100, then 1,000.
- Watch the percentage approach 50% — the law of large numbers in action.
Pro tips
- Press Space or Enter to flip again instantly.
- Agree on “heads/tails” before flipping to keep it fair.
- For more than two options, use the Random Name Picker.