Home › Workplace Wheels › Recognition WheelRecognition-theme selector Employee Recognition Wheel Employee Recognition Wheel chooses a contribution theme such as customer care, teamwork, learning, quality, or safety. Managers can then recognize a specific, evidenced contribution instead of selecting an employee without context.
employee recognition staff appreciation team contribution recognition ideas
Wheel of Names
SPIN THE WHEEL
Elimination: OFF
Accumulation: OFF
Auto-Spin: OFF
Fair Rotation: OFF
Add entries and spin the wheel.
Entries
Design
Images
Smart ✦
History
+
Undo
Redo
Shuffle
Clear
Upload CSV
Apply List
Spin duration: 4 seconds
Elimination mode
Accumulation mode
Auto-spin
Unique winners
Wheel background image
Add one image behind the colored wheel slices.
Choose background
Image visibility
Remove background No image selected
Center image or logo
Place a logo, icon, or photo inside the center hub.
Choose center image
Center image size
Remove center image No image selected
Image as a wheel entry
Add an image-backed slice with an editable text label.
Choose entry image
Add image entry
Reset all images
Images are optimized and kept in this browser session. They are not included in shared URLs or CSV exports.
Smart Fair Rotation
Prioritize least-selected entries
Winner cooldown Off1 spin2 spins3 spins4 spins5 spins
Pure random mode is active.
100% balance score
0 tracked spins
Reset Smart Stats
Cryptographic Draw Receipt
Creates a tamper-evident record of the result, timestamp, entries and active modes.
No receipt yet
Copy Receipt Download JSON
(()=>{
const r=document.currentScript.closest(‘.wnx-spinner’);
if(!r||r.dataset.ready)return;
r.dataset.ready=’1′;
const $=s=>r.querySelector(s),$$=s=>[…r.querySelectorAll(s)];
const params=new URLSearchParams(location.search),cfg=document.querySelector(‘.wnx-config’);
const mode=cfg?.dataset.mode||r.dataset.mode||’standard’;
const title=cfg?.dataset.title||r.dataset.title||document.querySelector(‘.wn-page h1′)?.textContent||’Wheel of Names’;
const raw=params.get(‘wnitems’)||cfg?.dataset.items||r.dataset.items||’Alice~Bob~Charlie~David~Eve~Frank’;
const palettes=[
((cfg?.dataset.palette)||r.dataset.palette||”).split(‘,’).filter(Boolean),
[‘#6366f1′,’#8b5cf6′,’#ec4899′,’#f97316′,’#14b8a6′,’#3b82f6’],
[‘#ef476f’,’#f78c6b’,’#ffd166′,’#06d6a0′,’#118ab2′,’#7353ba’],
[‘#22c55e’,’#06b6d4′,’#3b82f6′,’#8b5cf6′,’#ec4899′,’#f59e0b’]
].filter(x=>x.length>2);
let colors=palettes[0];
let entries=raw.split(‘~’).map(v=>{try{return decodeURIComponent(v)}catch(e){return v}}).filter(Boolean).map(v=>{
const p=v.split(‘|’);
const weight=mode===’weighted’?Math.max(1,Number(p.pop())||1):1;
return{name:p.join(‘|’),weight,count:0,last:-999,image:”};
});
let angle=0,busy=false,history=[],undo=[],redo=[],spinNumber=0,lastReceipt=null,preSpin=[];
let backgroundImage=”,centerImage=”,backgroundOpacity=.45,centerRadius=76,pendingEntryImage=”,pendingEntryFilename=”;
const imageCache=new Map();
const canvas=$(‘.wnx-canvas’),ctx=canvas.getContext(‘2d’),spin=$(‘.wnx-spin’),result=$(‘.wnx-result’),list=$(‘.wnx-list’);
const elimination=$(‘.wnx-elimination’),accumulation=$(‘.wnx-accumulation’),auto=$(‘.wnx-auto’),winnerCount=$(‘.wnx-winner-count’),duration=$(‘.wnx-duration’);
const balance=$(‘.wnx-smart-balance’),cooldown=$(‘.wnx-smart-cooldown’);
$(‘.wnx-title’).textContent=title;
elimination.checked=mode===’norepeat’||params.get(‘wnremove’)===’1′;
winnerCount.value=mode===’multi’?Math.max(1,Number(cfg?.dataset.count||r.dataset.count)||3):1;
$(‘.wnx-multi-field’).classList.toggle(‘wnx-hidden’,mode!==’multi’);
const escapeHtml=s=>String(s).replace(/[&”‘]/g,m=>({‘&’:’&’,”:’>’,'”‘:’"’,”‘”:’'’}[m]));
const snapshot=()=>JSON.stringify(entries);
const save=()=>{undo.push(snapshot());if(undo.length>25)undo.shift();redo=[];};
const randomInt=n=>{if(n=limit);return a[0]%n;};
function getImage(src){
if(!src)return null;
if(imageCache.has(src))return imageCache.get(src);
const img=new Image();
img.onload=draw;
img.src=src;
imageCache.set(src,img);
return img;
}
function drawCover(img,x,y,w,h){
if(!img||!img.complete||!img.naturalWidth)return;
const scale=Math.max(w/img.naturalWidth,h/img.naturalHeight);
const dw=img.naturalWidth*scale,dh=img.naturalHeight*scale;
ctx.drawImage(img,x+(w-dw)/2,y+(h-dh)/2,dw,dh);
}
function readOptimizedImage(file,maxSize=1000){
return new Promise((resolve,reject)=>{
if(!file||!file.type.startsWith(‘image/’)){reject(new Error(‘Please choose an image file.’));return;}
const reader=new FileReader();
reader.onerror=()=>reject(new Error(‘The image could not be read.’));
reader.onload=()=>{
const img=new Image();
img.onerror=()=>reject(new Error(‘The image format is not supported.’));
img.onload=()=>{
const scale=Math.min(1,maxSize/Math.max(img.naturalWidth,img.naturalHeight));
const w=Math.max(1,Math.round(img.naturalWidth*scale)),h=Math.max(1,Math.round(img.naturalHeight*scale));
const temp=document.createElement(‘canvas’);temp.width=w;temp.height=h;
const t=temp.getContext(‘2d’);t.drawImage(img,0,0,w,h);
const type=file.type===’image/png’?’image/png’:’image/jpeg’;
resolve(temp.toDataURL(type,type===’image/jpeg’?.86:undefined));
};
img.src=String(reader.result||”);
};
reader.readAsDataURL(file);
});
}
const smartOn=()=>!elimination.checked&&(balance.checked||Number(cooldown.value)>0);
function eligibleEntries(){
let pool=[…entries];
if(!smartOn())return pool;
const cd=Number(cooldown.value);
if(cd>0){const cooled=pool.filter(e=>spinNumber-e.last>=cd);if(cooled.length)pool=cooled;}
if(balance.checked&&pool.length){const min=Math.min(…pool.map(e=>e.count));pool=pool.filter(e=>e.count===min);}
return pool.length?pool:[…entries];
}
function segments(){
const total=entries.reduce((s,e)=>s+e.weight,0)||1;
let used=0;
return entries.map(entry=>{const start=used/total*Math.PI*2;used+=entry.weight;return{entry,start,end:used/total*Math.PI*2};});
}
function draw(){
const size=900,center=450,radius=418,segs=segments(),allowed=new Set(eligibleEntries());
ctx.clearRect(0,0,size,size);
if(backgroundImage){
const img=getImage(backgroundImage);
ctx.save();ctx.beginPath();ctx.arc(center,center,radius,0,Math.PI*2);ctx.clip();ctx.globalAlpha=backgroundOpacity;drawCover(img,center-radius,center-radius,radius*2,radius*2);ctx.restore();
}
if(!segs.length){
ctx.beginPath();ctx.arc(center,center,radius,0,Math.PI*2);ctx.fillStyle=’#0b1628′;ctx.fill();ctx.strokeStyle=’rgba(129,140,248,.24)’;ctx.lineWidth=6;ctx.stroke();ctx.fillStyle=’#94a3b8′;ctx.font=’800 34px system-ui’;ctx.textAlign=’center’;ctx.fillText(‘Add entries’,center,center);return;
}
segs.forEach((seg,index)=>{
const dim=smartOn()&&!allowed.has(seg.entry);
const start=seg.start+angle,end=seg.end+angle;
ctx.save();
ctx.globalAlpha=dim?.2:1;
ctx.beginPath();ctx.moveTo(center,center);ctx.arc(center,center,radius,start,end);ctx.closePath();
if(seg.entry.image){
ctx.save();ctx.clip();drawCover(getImage(seg.entry.image),center-radius,center-radius,radius*2,radius*2);ctx.restore();
ctx.globalAlpha=dim?.12:.22;ctx.fillStyle=colors[index%colors.length];ctx.fill();ctx.globalAlpha=dim?.2:1;
}else{
ctx.fillStyle=colors[index%colors.length];
if(backgroundImage)ctx.globalAlpha=dim?.14:.72;
ctx.fill();ctx.globalAlpha=dim?.2:1;
}
ctx.strokeStyle=’rgba(255,255,255,.82)’;ctx.lineWidth=5;ctx.stroke();
const mid=(seg.start+seg.end)/2+angle;
ctx.translate(center,center);ctx.rotate(mid);ctx.textAlign=’right’;ctx.fillStyle=’#fff’;ctx.shadowColor=’rgba(0,0,0,.55)’;ctx.shadowBlur=8;
ctx.font=`850 ${Math.max(18,Math.min(33,350/entries.length+16))}px system-ui`;
const label=seg.entry.name.length>22?seg.entry.name.slice(0,20)+’…’:seg.entry.name;
ctx.fillText(label,radius-34,10);ctx.restore();
});
ctx.save();ctx.beginPath();ctx.arc(center,center,centerRadius,0,Math.PI*2);ctx.clip();
if(centerImage){drawCover(getImage(centerImage),center-centerRadius,center-centerRadius,centerRadius*2,centerRadius*2);}else{ctx.fillStyle=’#0b1628′;ctx.fillRect(center-centerRadius,center-centerRadius,centerRadius*2,centerRadius*2);}
ctx.restore();ctx.beginPath();ctx.arc(center,center,centerRadius,0,Math.PI*2);ctx.strokeStyle=’rgba(255,255,255,.24)’;ctx.lineWidth=10;ctx.stroke();
}
function updateBadges(){
[[ $(‘.wnx-badge-elimination’),elimination,’Elimination’],[$(‘.wnx-badge-accumulation’),accumulation,’Accumulation’],[$(‘.wnx-badge-auto’),auto,’Auto-Spin’],[$(‘.wnx-badge-smart’),{checked:smartOn()},’Fair Rotation’]].forEach(([el,input,label])=>{el.textContent=`${label}: ${input.checked?’ON’:’OFF’}`;el.classList.toggle(‘is-on’,input.checked);});
}
function balanceScore(){
if(!entries.length)return 100;
const total=entries.reduce((s,e)=>s+e.count,0),mean=total/entries.length;
if(!mean)return 100;
const deviation=entries.reduce((s,e)=>s+Math.abs(e.count-mean),0)/entries.length;
return Math.max(0,Math.round(100-deviation/mean*100));
}
function updateDashboard(){
$(‘.wnx-balance-score’).textContent=balanceScore()+’%’;$(‘.wnx-smart-spins’).textContent=String(spinNumber);
$(‘.wnx-smart-counts’).innerHTML=[…entries].sort((a,b)=>a.count-b.count||a.name.localeCompare(b.name)).map(e=>`${escapeHtml(e.name)} ${e.count}
`).join(”)||’No entries yet.
‘;
const status=$(‘.wnx-smart-status’);
if(elimination.checked&&(balance.checked||Number(cooldown.value)>0))status.textContent=’Smart Fair Rotation is paused while Elimination mode is active.’;
else if(!smartOn())status.textContent=’Pure random mode is active.’;
else{const parts=[];if(balance.checked)parts.push(‘least-selected priority’);if(Number(cooldown.value)>0)parts.push(`${cooldown.value}-spin cooldown`);status.textContent=`Smart mode active: ${parts.join(‘ + ‘)}. Dimmed slices are temporarily ineligible.`;}
}
function render(){
list.innerHTML=entries.map((entry,index)=>`⋮⋮ ${entry.image?`
`:”}
− ${entry.weight} +
× ${escapeHtml(v)} `).join(”);$(‘.wnx-empty’).classList.toggle(‘wnx-hidden’,history.length>0);
result.textContent=(selected.length>1?’Winners: ‘:’Winner: ‘)+selected.map(e=>e.name+(accumulation.checked?` (${e.count})`:”)).join(‘, ‘);
createReceipt(selected);
if(elimination.checked){save();const set=new Set(selected);entries=entries.filter(e=>!set.has(e));render();}else{draw();updateDashboard();updateBadges();}
busy=false;spin.disabled=false;if(auto.checked&&entries.length)setTimeout(startSpin,1200);
}
function startSpin(){
if(busy||!entries.length){if(!entries.length)result.textContent=’Add at least one entry.’;return;}
busy=true;spin.disabled=true;preSpin=entries.map(e=>({name:e.name,weight:e.weight,hasImage:Boolean(e.image)}));
let base=eligibleEntries();if(mode===’multi’&&base.length<Math.max(1,Number(winnerCount.value)||1))base=[…entries];
const pool=[…base],selected=[],wanted=Math.min(pool.length,Math.max(1,Number(winnerCount.value)||1));
for(let i=0;i<wanted;i++){const index=choose(pool);selected.push(pool[index]);pool.splice(index,1);}
const segs=segments(),targetIndex=entries.indexOf(selected[0]),middle=(segs[targetIndex].start+segs[targetIndex].end)/2,target=-Math.PI/2-middle,start=angle,delta=((target-start)%(Math.PI*2)+Math.PI*2)%(Math.PI*2)+(5+randomInt(4))*Math.PI*2,ms=Number(duration.value)*1000,startTime=performance.now();
function frame(now){const progress=Math.min(1,(now-startTime)/ms),ease=1-Math.pow(1-progress,3);angle=start+delta*ease;draw();if(progress{if(e.key===’Enter’||e.key===’ ‘){e.preventDefault();startSpin();}};
$(‘.wnx-add-button’).onclick=()=>{const input=$(‘.wnx-new-entry’),value=input.value.trim();if(!value)return;save();entries.push({name:value,weight:1,count:0,last:-999,image:”});input.value=”;render();};
$(‘.wnx-new-entry’).onkeydown=e=>{if(e.key===’Enter’)$(‘.wnx-add-button’).click();};
$(‘.wnx-apply’).onclick=()=>{const values=$(‘.wnx-bulk’).value.split(/n|,/).map(v=>v.trim()).filter(Boolean);if(!values.length)return;save();entries=values.map(name=>({name,weight:1,count:0,last:-999,image:”}));spinNumber=0;render();};
$(‘.wnx-file’).onchange=e=>{const file=e.target.files?.[0];if(!file)return;const reader=new FileReader();reader.onload=()=>{$(‘.wnx-bulk’).value=String(reader.result||”).replace(/,/g,’n’);};reader.readAsText(file);};
$(‘.wnx-shuffle’).onclick=()=>{save();for(let i=entries.length-1;i>0;i–){const j=randomInt(i+1);[entries[i],entries[j]]=[entries[j],entries[i]];}render();};
$(‘.wnx-clear’).onclick=()=>{save();entries=[];spinNumber=0;render();};
$(‘.wnx-undo’).onclick=()=>{if(!undo.length)return;redo.push(snapshot());entries=JSON.parse(undo.pop());render();};
$(‘.wnx-redo’).onclick=()=>{if(!redo.length)return;undo.push(snapshot());entries=JSON.parse(redo.pop());render();};
list.onclick=e=>{const button=e.target.closest(‘[data-act]’);if(!button)return;save();const index=Number(button.dataset.i),action=button.dataset.act;if(action===’remove’)entries.splice(index,1);if(action===’plus’)entries[index].weight++;if(action===’minus’)entries[index].weight=Math.max(1,entries[index].weight-1);render();};
list.onchange=e=>{if(!e.target.matches(‘[data-edit]’))return;save();entries[Number(e.target.dataset.edit)].name=e.target.value.trim()||’Untitled’;render();};
$(‘.wnx-bg-file’).onchange=async e=>{const file=e.target.files?.[0];if(!file)return;try{backgroundImage=await readOptimizedImage(file,1200);$(‘.wnx-bg-status’).textContent=file.name;$(‘.wnx-remove-bg’).disabled=false;draw();}catch(err){$(‘.wnx-bg-status’).textContent=err.message;}};
$(‘.wnx-bg-opacity’).oninput=e=>{backgroundOpacity=Number(e.target.value)/100;draw();};
$(‘.wnx-remove-bg’).onclick=()=>{backgroundImage=”;$(‘.wnx-bg-file’).value=”;$(‘.wnx-bg-status’).textContent=’No image selected’;$(‘.wnx-remove-bg’).disabled=true;draw();};
$(‘.wnx-center-file’).onchange=async e=>{const file=e.target.files?.[0];if(!file)return;try{centerImage=await readOptimizedImage(file,600);$(‘.wnx-center-status’).textContent=file.name;$(‘.wnx-remove-center’).disabled=false;draw();}catch(err){$(‘.wnx-center-status’).textContent=err.message;}};
$(‘.wnx-center-size’).oninput=e=>{centerRadius=Number(e.target.value);draw();};
$(‘.wnx-remove-center’).onclick=()=>{centerImage=”;$(‘.wnx-center-file’).value=”;$(‘.wnx-center-status’).textContent=’No image selected’;$(‘.wnx-remove-center’).disabled=true;draw();};
$(‘.wnx-entry-image-file’).onchange=async e=>{const file=e.target.files?.[0];if(!file)return;try{pendingEntryImage=await readOptimizedImage(file,650);pendingEntryFilename=file.name.replace(/.[^.]+$/,”);const preview=$(‘.wnx-entry-image-preview’);preview.querySelector(‘img’).src=pendingEntryImage;preview.querySelector(‘span’).textContent=file.name;preview.hidden=false;$(‘.wnx-add-image-entry’).disabled=false;}catch(err){result.textContent=err.message;}};
$(‘.wnx-add-image-entry’).onclick=()=>{if(!pendingEntryImage)return;const label=$(‘.wnx-image-entry-name’).value.trim()||pendingEntryFilename||’Image entry’;save();entries.push({name:label,weight:1,count:0,last:-999,image:pendingEntryImage});pendingEntryImage=”;pendingEntryFilename=”;$(‘.wnx-image-entry-name’).value=”;$(‘.wnx-entry-image-file’).value=”;$(‘.wnx-entry-image-preview’).hidden=true;$(‘.wnx-add-image-entry’).disabled=true;render();};
$(‘.wnx-reset-images’).onclick=()=>{backgroundImage=”;centerImage=”;pendingEntryImage=”;entries.forEach(e=>e.image=”);$(‘.wnx-bg-file’).value=”;$(‘.wnx-center-file’).value=”;$(‘.wnx-entry-image-file’).value=”;$(‘.wnx-bg-status’).textContent=’No image selected’;$(‘.wnx-center-status’).textContent=’No image selected’;$(‘.wnx-remove-bg’).disabled=true;$(‘.wnx-remove-center’).disabled=true;$(‘.wnx-add-image-entry’).disabled=true;$(‘.wnx-entry-image-preview’).hidden=true;render();};
duration.oninput=()=>{$(‘.wnx-duration-text’).textContent=duration.value;};
[elimination,accumulation,auto,balance,cooldown].forEach(control=>control.onchange=()=>{updateBadges();updateDashboard();draw();});
$(‘.wnx-smart-reset’).onclick=()=>{entries.forEach(e=>{e.count=0;e.last=-999;});spinNumber=0;lastReceipt=null;$(‘.wnx-receipt-id’).textContent=’No receipt yet’;$(‘.wnx-copy-receipt’).disabled=true;$(‘.wnx-download-receipt’).disabled=true;render();};
$(‘.wnx-hide-panel’).onclick=()=>{const panel=$(‘.wnx-panel’);panel.classList.toggle(‘wnx-hidden’);$(‘.wnx-hide-panel’).textContent=panel.classList.contains(‘wnx-hidden’)?’Show Panel’:’Hide Panel’;};
$(‘.wnx-fullscreen’).onclick=()=>r.requestFullscreen?.();
$(‘.wnx-export’).onclick=()=>{const csv=’entry,weight,count,has_imagen’+entries.map(e=>`”${e.name.replace(/”/g,'””‘)}”,${e.weight},${e.count},${e.image?’yes’:’no’}`).join(‘n’),a=document.createElement(‘a’);a.href=URL.createObjectURL(new Blob([csv],{type:’text/csv’}));a.download=’wheel-entries.csv’;a.click();setTimeout(()=>URL.revokeObjectURL(a.href),1000);};
$(‘.wnx-share’).onclick=async()=>{const url=new URL(location.href);url.searchParams.set(‘wnitems’,entries.map(e=>encodeURIComponent(e.name)+(e.weight>1?’|’+e.weight:”)).join(‘~’));elimination.checked?url.searchParams.set(‘wnremove’,’1′):url.searchParams.delete(‘wnremove’);try{await navigator.clipboard.writeText(url);result.textContent=entries.some(e=>e.image)||backgroundImage||centerImage?’Share link copied. Images stay in this browser session.’:’Share link copied.’;}catch(e){result.textContent=url;}};
$(‘.wnx-copy-receipt’).onclick=async()=>{if(!lastReceipt)return;const text=`${lastReceipt.receiptId}nWinner: ${lastReceipt.result.join(‘, ‘)}nTime: ${lastReceipt.timestamp}nSHA-256: ${lastReceipt.sha256}`;try{await navigator.clipboard.writeText(text);$(‘.wnx-copy-receipt’).textContent=’Copied’;setTimeout(()=>$(‘.wnx-copy-receipt’).textContent=’Copy Receipt’,1200);}catch(e){$(‘.wnx-receipt-id’).textContent=text;}};
$(‘.wnx-download-receipt’).onclick=()=>{if(!lastReceipt)return;const report={receipt:lastReceipt,balanceScore:balanceScore()+’%’,selectionCounts:Object.fromEntries(entries.map(e=>[e.name,e.count]))},a=document.createElement(‘a’);a.href=URL.createObjectURL(new Blob([JSON.stringify(report,null,2)],{type:’application/json’}));a.download=lastReceipt.receiptId+’.json’;a.click();setTimeout(()=>URL.revokeObjectURL(a.href),1000);};
$$(‘.wnx-tab’).forEach(button=>button.onclick=()=>{$$(‘.wnx-tab’).forEach(x=>x.classList.remove(‘is-active’));$$(‘.wnx-pane’).forEach(x=>x.classList.remove(‘is-active’));button.classList.add(‘is-active’);$(`.wnx-pane[data-pane=”${button.dataset.tab}”]`).classList.add(‘is-active’);if(button.dataset.tab===’smart’)updateDashboard();});
palettes.forEach((palette,index)=>{const button=document.createElement(‘button’);button.type=’button’;button.className=’wnx-palette’+(index?”:’ is-active’);button.style.background=`linear-gradient(135deg,${palette.join(‘,’)})`;button.onclick=()=>{colors=palette;$$(‘.wnx-palette’).forEach(x=>x.classList.remove(‘is-active’));button.classList.add(‘is-active’);draw();};$(‘.wnx-palettes’).append(button);});
render();
})();
What is Employee Recognition Wheel? Employee Recognition Wheel is a free browser-based employee appreciation spinner for recognition themes, approved awards, or celebration categories. Edit the sample entries, confirm the eligible list, choose the mode that matches the activity, and spin for a visible random result. Use transparent criteria and manager review, provide accessible alternatives, and keep performance, pay, health, and disciplinary information outside the wheel.
Recognition should be specific and deserved The wheel can vary the category you look at, but the recognition itself should be based on a real action or result. Explain what the person did, why it mattered, and how it supported customers, colleagues, quality, learning, safety, or another stated value.
Specific Name the helpful behavior, improvement, or result rather than using a vague compliment.
Timely Recognize the contribution while the context is still clear to the employee and team.
Inclusive Notice quieter and behind-the-scenes work, not only highly visible presentations.
Avoid turning appreciation into a lottery Do not randomly choose who receives performance credit, compensation, promotion, or an award that claims to measure merit. Use documented criteria for those decisions. A wheel is better for selecting a recognition category, celebration prompt, or order for sharing already-approved acknowledgements.
Check whether public recognition is welcome. Some employees prefer private feedback or a written thank-you.
Team resource: Google re:Work guides for managers and teams .
Employee Recognition Wheel FAQs Should the wheel choose the employee? Not for merit-based recognition. Select a theme, then use evidence and fair criteria to identify a contribution.
Can I add company values? Yes. Replace the sample entries with clear values that employees understand.
Can recognition be private? Yes. Ask about preference and use a private message when that is more appropriate.
`:”}