Magic 8 Ball: Ask a Question and Shake
Ask the magic 8 ball anything you can answer with yes or no. Type your question, shake the ball and it reveals one of the 20 classic replies, from “It is certain” to “My sources say no”. It is just for fun, but it can be a handy way to break a tie when you really cannot decide.
Your questions
Quick answer: Think of a question that has a yes or no answer, type it in (or just think it), and click the ball or Shake the ball. Half of the 20 answers are yes, a quarter are no and a quarter tell you to ask again.
How to use the magic 8 ball
- Type a yes or no question, such as “Should I order pizza tonight?”
- Press Enter, click the ball or click Shake the ball.
- Read the answer that floats up. Your last ten questions and answers are listed below the ball.
The magic 8 ball answers
| Type | How many | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 10 | It is certain; Without a doubt; Most likely; Signs point to yes |
| Not sure | 5 | Reply hazy, try again; Ask again later; Cannot predict now |
| No | 5 | Don’t count on it; My sources say no; Very doubtful |
A short history of the magic 8 ball
The toy goes back to the 1940s, when inventor Albert Carter made a fortune-telling tube filled with liquid. It became the famous black pool ball shape in 1950. Inside the real toy, a 20-sided die floats in blue liquid, and whichever face settles against the window is your answer. This online version picks one of 20 answers with a fair random number, so every answer has an equal 1 in 20 chance.
Good questions to ask
- Should I watch a movie or read tonight?
- Will it be a good day tomorrow?
- Should we try the new restaurant?
- Is it time to take a break?
The 8 ball is a game, so do not use it for serious health, money or life decisions. For a quick fair choice, you can also flip a coin, spin the yes or no wheel, play rock paper scissors or pick from a list with spin the wheel.
FAQ
Is the magic 8 ball real?
It is a toy, not a fortune teller. The answers are random, which is what makes it fun.
Are some answers more likely?
Each of the 20 answers is equally likely, but because 10 of them mean yes, you get a positive answer half the time.
More free games and tools
See all of them on the QuickOnlineTips free online tools page and the free online games page.