RandomReal []
gives a pseudorandom real number in the range 0 to 1.
RandomReal [{xmin,xmax}]
gives a pseudorandom real number in the range xmin to xmax.
RandomReal [xmax]
gives a pseudorandom real number in the range 0 to xmax.
RandomReal [range,n]
gives a list of n pseudorandom reals.
RandomReal [range,{n1,n2,…}]
gives an n1×n2×… array of pseudorandom reals.
RandomReal
RandomReal []
gives a pseudorandom real number in the range 0 to 1.
RandomReal [{xmin,xmax}]
gives a pseudorandom real number in the range xmin to xmax.
RandomReal [xmax]
gives a pseudorandom real number in the range 0 to xmax.
RandomReal [range,n]
gives a list of n pseudorandom reals.
RandomReal [range,{n1,n2,…}]
gives an n1×n2×… array of pseudorandom reals.
Details and Options
- RandomReal [{xmin,xmax}] chooses reals with a uniform probability distribution in the range xmin to xmax.
- RandomReal [spec,WorkingPrecision->n] yields reals with n-digit precision. Leading or trailing digits in the generated number can turn out to be 0.
- RandomReal gives a different sequence of pseudorandom reals whenever you run the Wolfram Language. You can start with a particular seed using SeedRandom .
- A Method option to SeedRandom can be given to specify the pseudorandom generator used.
Examples
open all close allBasic Examples (6)
A random real number in the range 0 to 1:
A random real number in the range to :
A random real number in the range 0 to 10:
Five random reals in the range 0 to 1:
A 3×2 array of random reals in the range to :
Random coordinates for 4 points in 3 dimensions:
Scope (3)
Generate random reals of any magnitude:
Generate random reals of any precision:
Generate low-precision reals:
Options (1)
WorkingPrecision (1)
Generate a random real with 50-digit precision:
Applications (8)
A random walk:
Circles at random positions:
Random array of gray levels:
Spheres at random positions:
Two-dimensional random walk:
Three-dimensional random walk:
Determinants of random 100×100 matrices:
Generate a complex number in the unit square:
Generate 5 complex numbers:
Use RandomComplex instead:
Generate exponential random variables using inversion method:
Compare sample histogram with the PDF of ExponentialDistribution :
Alternatively, use RandomVariate to sample from nonuniform distributions directly:
Test whether both datasets could be samples from the same distribution:
Properties & Relations (5)
Use SeedRandom to get repeatable random values:
Use BlockRandom to block one use of RandomReal from affecting others:
With the same seed, RandomReal generates the "same" number, regardless of precision:
RandomReal generates a uniform distribution, here with mean 0.5:
RandomReal generates white noise:
Neat Examples (1)
Construct a surface from random heights:
Tech Notes
History
Text
Wolfram Research (2007), RandomReal, Wolfram Language function, https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/RandomReal.html.
CMS
Wolfram Language. 2007. "RandomReal." Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Wolfram Research. https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/RandomReal.html.
APA
Wolfram Language. (2007). RandomReal. Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Retrieved from https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/RandomReal.html
BibTeX
@misc{reference.wolfram_2025_randomreal, author="Wolfram Research", title="{RandomReal}", year="2007", howpublished="\url{https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/RandomReal.html}", note=[Accessed: 17-November-2025]}
BibLaTeX
@online{reference.wolfram_2025_randomreal, organization={Wolfram Research}, title={RandomReal}, year={2007}, url={https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/RandomReal.html}, note=[Accessed: 17-November-2025]}