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PollCraft / Show of hands

Show of hands counter

The fastest poll there is needs no phones at all. Read each option aloud, tap once per raised hand, and get a clean chart you can save. Counts are kept on this device, so a refresh won’t lose them.

Counting hands accurately

  • Count in sections. In a big room, split it into left, centre and right, and count each block. Tap +1 as you go rather than trying to hold numbers in your head.
  • Ask hands to stay up until you say “thank you”, and count the smaller group when there are only two options: it’s quicker and you can subtract from the room size.
  • Enter the room size to see turnout. If the hands add up to more than the people present, someone voted twice.
  • Know the bias. People can see each other, so undecided voters drift toward the visible majority. For anything sensitive, switch to a secret ballot.

Want the chart linked to a real poll with other collection modes? Create a poll and use the Show of hands tab on its host board; it combines hand counts with reply-link and pass-the-device votes.

Questions people ask

What is a show of hands vote?

Everyone votes by raising a hand for their choice while someone counts. It is quick and needs no equipment, but it is not secret, so people can be influenced by how others vote.

Can I use this counter offline?

Yes. Once the page has loaded, counting works without a connection and the counts are saved in your browser.

How do I show the result to the room?

Save the chart as a PNG and put it on the projector, or create a full poll and use its Present mode, which shows the chart full screen.