How the Online Magic 8 Ball Works
This free virtual Magic 8 Ball works just like the toy. Think of a yes-or-no question, out loud or in your head, then tap the ball or hit the shake button. After a shake, one of the twenty classic answers floats up through the blue window, exactly like the liquid-filled toy. On a phone, you can even physically shake your device to shake the ball. Every answer is chosen at random with equal odds, so each of the 20 responses has exactly a 5% chance of coming up. The ball has no memory, no bias, and no idea what you asked. That's the fun of it.
All 20 Classic Magic 8 Ball Answers
The traditional Magic 8 Ball die is an icosahedron, a 20-sided shape, with one answer on each face. Half the answers are positive, a quarter are vague, and a quarter say no:
Affirmative (10)
It is certain · It is decidedly so · Without a doubt · Yes definitely · You may rely on it · As I see it, yes · Most likely · Outlook good · Yes · Signs point to yes
Non-committal (5)
Reply hazy, try again · Ask again later · Better not tell you now · Cannot predict now · Concentrate and ask again
Negative (5)
Don't count on it · My reply is no · My sources say no · Outlook not so good · Very doubtful
A Short History of the Magic 8 Ball
The Magic 8 Ball traces back to the 1940s, when Albert C. Carter invented a fortune-telling device inspired by a spirit-writing tool used by his mother, a Cincinnati clairvoyant. The design passed to Abe Bookman, who refined it into the Syco-Seer and later, at the suggestion of a billiards company looking for a promotional item, gave it the now-iconic 8-ball shell. The toy has been in continuous production ever since, currently made by Mattel, and has answered untold millions of questions about crushes, quizzes, and whether to order pizza. This site is an independent fan-made tribute and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mattel.
Make Your Own Custom 8 Ball
Want a ball that only answers in inside jokes? A lunch decider loaded with your favorite spots? A party ball for game night? Use the custom 8 ball builder to write between 2 and 20 of your own answers, give your ball a name, and get a link you can send to anyone. No account, no app. The whole ball lives in the link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the answer really random?
Yes. Each shake uses your browser's random number generator to pick uniformly among the 20 answers. No answer is more likely than another, and previous shakes don't affect the next one.
Can I ask the same question twice?
Tradition says the ball gets annoyed if you re-ask, but nothing stops you. Statistically, asking twice and taking your favorite answer is cheating. We won't tell.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes, and it's arguably better there: on most phones you can physically shake your device to shake the ball.
Should I make real decisions with a Magic 8 Ball?
The ball is entertainment, not advice. It's great for breaking ties on trivial choices and terrible for everything else. For anything that matters, consult a human.