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Python - random.choices() method - GeeksforGeeks

Last Updated : 12 Jul, 2025

The choices() method returns multiple random elements from the list with replacement. Unlike random.choice(), which selects a single item, random.choices() allows us to select multiple items making it particularly useful for tasks like sampling from a population or generating random data.

Example:

import random

a = ["geeks", "for", "python"]

print(random.choices(a, weights = [10, 1, 1], k = 5))

['geeks', 'geeks', 'geeks', 'geeks', 'geeks']

Explanation:

• The code uses random.choices() to select 5 items from the list a = ["geeks", "for", "python"].
• Weights: The item "geeks" has a weight of 10, making it 10 times more likely to be selected than "for" and "python", which each have a weight of 1.
• k = 5: Specifies that 5 items will be selected, with replacement (meaning duplicates are possible).

Note: Every time output will be different as the system returns random elements.

Let's take a closer look at random.choices() method:

Syntax of random.choices()

random.choices(population, weights=None, cum_weights=None, k=1)

Parameters

• population: The sequence (list, tuple, string, etc.) from which random selections are made.
• weights: (Optional) A sequence of weights corresponding to each element in the population. Elements with higher weights are more likely to be selected.
• cum_weights: (Optional) A sequence of cumulative weights. If provided, this is an alternative to using the weights parameter.
• k: The number of items to return. By default, it returns one item.

import random

# Example 1: Simple Random Selection

a = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry', 'date']
res = random.choices(a, k=3)
print(res)  



# Example 2: Random Selection with Weights

w = [10, 20, 5, 1]
res = random.choices(a, weights=w, k=3)
print(res)  

# Example 3: Random Selection with Cumulative Weights

cw = [10, 30, 35, 36]  # Cumulative sum of weights
res = random.choices(a, cum_weights=cw, k=3)
print(res)  

# Example 4: Selecting Random Characters from a String

ch = "abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz"
res = random.choices(ch, k=5)
print(res)  

['cherry', 'apple', 'apple']
['cherry', 'banana', 'banana']
['cherry', 'cherry', 'banana']
['c', 'd', 'm', 'z', 's']

Explanation:

• Example 1: Selects 3 random elements from the items list.
• Example 2: Selects 3 elements from items with specified weights, making some items more likely to be selected.
• Example 3: Selects 3 elements with cumulative weights, ensuring that selection probabilities are proportionally distributed.
• Example 4: Selects 5 random characters from the alphabet string, demonstrating the flexibility of random.choices() with strings.

It allows for sampling with replacement, meaning the same item can be selected multiple times. Common practical applications include:

• Lottery or Prize Draws: Randomly selecting winners from a pool of entries, where some participants may have more chances based on certain conditions.
• Simulating Weighted Outcomes: For example, simulating biased coin flips or biased random events (e.g., selecting between different items in a game where certain items are rarer).
• Random Sampling: Selecting items from a list for tasks like A/B testing, survey sampling, or testing combinations.

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