# ZRANDMEMBER

```json metadata
{
  "title": "ZRANDMEMBER",
  "description": "Returns one or more random members from a sorted set.",
  "categories": ["docs","develop","stack","oss","rs","rc","oss","kubernetes","clients"],
  "arguments": [{"display_text":"key","key_spec_index":0,"name":"key","type":"key"},{"arguments":[{"display_text":"count","name":"count","type":"integer"},{"display_text":"withscores","name":"withscores","optional":true,"token":"WITHSCORES","type":"pure-token"}],"name":"options","optional":true,"type":"block"}],
  "syntax_fmt": "ZRANDMEMBER key [count [WITHSCORES]]",
  "complexity": "O(N) where N is the number of members returned",
  "group": "sorted-set",
  "command_flags": ["readonly"],
  "acl_categories": ["@read","@sortedset","@slow"],
  "since": "6.2.0",
  "arity": -2,
  "key_specs": [{"RO":true,"access":true,"begin_search":{"spec":{"index":1},"type":"index"},"find_keys":{"spec":{"keystep":1,"lastkey":0,"limit":0},"type":"range"}}],
  "tableOfContents": {"sections":[{"id":"examples","title":"Examples"},{"id":"specification-of-the-behavior-when-count-is-passed","title":"Specification of the behavior when count is passed"},{"id":"redis-enterprise-and-redis-cloud-compatibility","title":"Redis Enterprise and Redis Cloud compatibility"},{"id":"return-information","title":"Return information"}]}
}
```













When called with just the `key` argument, return a random element from the sorted set value stored at `key`.

If the provided `count` argument is positive, return an array of **distinct elements**.
The array's length is either `count` or the sorted set's cardinality ([`ZCARD`](https://redis.io/docs/latest/commands/zcard)), whichever is lower.

If called with a negative `count`, the behavior changes and the command is allowed to return the **same element multiple times**.
In this case, the number of returned elements is the absolute value of the specified `count`.

The optional `WITHSCORES` modifier changes the reply so it includes the respective scores of the randomly selected elements from the sorted set.

## Examples


ZADD dadi 1 uno 2 due 3 tre 4 quattro 5 cinque 6 sei
ZRANDMEMBER dadi
ZRANDMEMBER dadi
ZRANDMEMBER dadi -5 WITHSCORES


## Specification of the behavior when count is passed

When the `count` argument is a positive value this command behaves as follows:

* No repeated elements are returned.
* If `count` is bigger than the cardinality of the sorted set, the command will only return the whole sorted set without additional elements.
* The order of elements in the reply is not truly random, so it is up to the client to shuffle them if needed.

When the `count` is a negative value, the behavior changes as follows:

* Repeating elements are possible.
* Exactly `count` elements, or an empty array if the sorted set is empty (non-existing key), are always returned.
* The order of elements in the reply is truly random.

## Redis Enterprise and Redis Cloud compatibility

| Redis<br />Enterprise | Redis<br />Cloud | <span style="min-width: 9em; display: table-cell">Notes</span> |
|:----------------------|:-----------------|:------|
| <span title="Supported">&#x2705; Standard</span><br /><span title="Supported"><nobr>&#x2705; Active-Active</nobr></span> | <span title="Supported">&#x2705; Standard</span><br /><span title="Supported"><nobr>&#x2705; Active-Active</nobr></span> |  |

## Return information

{{< multitabs id="zrandmember-return-info" 
    tab1="RESP2" 
    tab2="RESP3" >}}

[Bulk string reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#bulk-strings): without the additional _count_ argument, the command returns a randomly selected member, or [Nil reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#bulk-strings) when _key_ doesn't exist.
[Array reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#arrays): when the additional _count_ argument is passed, the command returns an array of members, or an empty array when _key_ doesn't exist. If the _WITHSCORES_ modifier is used, the reply is a list of members and their scores from the sorted set.

-tab-sep-

[Bulk string reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#bulk-strings): without the additional _count_ argument, the command returns a randomly selected member, or [Null reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#nulls) when _key_ doesn't exist.
[Array reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#arrays): when the additional _count_ argument is passed, the command returns an array of members, or an empty array when _key_ doesn't exist. If the _WITHSCORES_ modifier is used, the reply is a list of members and their scores from the sorted set.