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RandomComplex[]

gives a pseudorandom complex number with real and imaginary parts in the range 0 to 1.

RandomComplex[{zmin,zmax}]

gives a pseudorandom complex number in the rectangle with corners given by the complex numbers zmin and zmax.

RandomComplex[zmax]

gives a pseudorandom complex number in the rectangle whose corners are the origin and zmax.

RandomComplex[range,n]

gives a list of n pseudorandom complex numbers.

RandomComplex[range,{n1,n2,…}]

gives an n1×n2×… array of pseudorandom complex numbers.

Details and Options
Details and Options Details and Options
Examples  
Basic Examples  
Scope  
Options  
WorkingPrecision  
Applications  
Properties & Relations  
See Also
Tech Notes
Related Guides
History
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RandomComplex

RandomComplex[]

gives a pseudorandom complex number with real and imaginary parts in the range 0 to 1.

RandomComplex[{zmin,zmax}]

gives a pseudorandom complex number in the rectangle with corners given by the complex numbers zmin and zmax.

RandomComplex[zmax]

gives a pseudorandom complex number in the rectangle whose corners are the origin and zmax.

RandomComplex[range,n]

gives a list of n pseudorandom complex numbers.

RandomComplex[range,{n1,n2,…}]

gives an n1×n2×… array of pseudorandom complex numbers.

Details and Options

  • RandomComplex chooses complex numbers with a uniform probability distribution in the rectangle specified.
  • RandomComplex[range,WorkingPrecision->n] yields complex numbers with n-digit precision. Leading or trailing digits in the generated number can turn out to be 0.
  • RandomComplex gives a different sequence of pseudorandom complex numbers 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

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Basic Examples  (5)

A random complex number with real and imaginary parts in the range 0 to 1:

Wolfram Language code: RandomComplex[]

A random complex number in the rectangle with corners at and :

Wolfram Language code: RandomComplex[{-2 - I, 5 + 3I}]

A random complex number in the rectangle with corners at and :

Wolfram Language code: RandomComplex[10 + 5I]

5 random complex numbers in the unit square:

Wolfram Language code: RandomComplex[1 + I, 5]

A 3×2 array of random complex numbers in the rectangle with corners at and :

Wolfram Language code: RandomComplex[{2 + I, 10 + 20I}, {3, 2}]

Scope  (3)

Generate random complex numbers of any magnitude:

Wolfram Language code: RandomComplex[10 ^ 1000 + 10 ^ 1000I]

Generate random complex numbers of any precision:

Wolfram Language code: RandomComplex[WorkingPrecision -> 30]
Wolfram Language code: RandomComplex[10 ^ 1000 + 10 ^ 1000I, WorkingPrecision -> 50]

Generate low-precision complex numbers:

Wolfram Language code: RandomComplex[{-1 - I, 1 + I}, 5, WorkingPrecision -> 5]

Options  (1)

WorkingPrecision  (1)

Generate a random complex number with 50-digit precision:

Wolfram Language code: RandomComplex[WorkingPrecision -> 50]
Wolfram Language code: RandomComplex[{-1 - I, 1 + I}, WorkingPrecision -> 50]

Applications  (2)

Circles at random positions in the complex plane:

Wolfram Language code: Graphics[Circle[ReIm[#]]& /@ RandomComplex[10 + 10I, 40]]

Random walk in the complex plane:

Wolfram Language code: Graphics[Line[ReIm /@ Accumulate[RandomComplex[{-1 - I, 1 + I}, 500]]]]

Properties & Relations  (4)

Use SeedRandom to get repeatable random values:

Wolfram Language code: {RandomComplex[], RandomComplex[]}
Wolfram Language code: {SeedRandom[1234];RandomComplex[], SeedRandom[1234];RandomComplex[]}

Use BlockRandom to block one use of RandomComplex from affecting others:

Wolfram Language code: {BlockRandom[RandomComplex[]], RandomComplex[]}

With the same seed, RandomComplex generates the "same" number, regardless of precision:

Wolfram Language code: Table[SeedRandom[4567];RandomComplex[WorkingPrecision -> p], {p, 10}]

RandomComplex generates a uniform distribution, here with mean :

Wolfram Language code: Mean[RandomComplex[1 + 1I, 10000]]
Wolfram Research (2007), RandomComplex, Wolfram Language function, https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/RandomComplex.html.

Text

Wolfram Research (2007), RandomComplex, Wolfram Language function, https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/RandomComplex.html.

CMS

Wolfram Language. 2007. "RandomComplex." Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Wolfram Research. https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/RandomComplex.html.

APA

Wolfram Language. (2007). RandomComplex. Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Retrieved from https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/RandomComplex.html

BibTeX

@misc{reference.wolfram_2026_randomcomplex, author="Wolfram Research", title="{RandomComplex}", year="2007", howpublished="\url{https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/RandomComplex.html}", note=[Accessed: 15-June-2026]}

BibLaTeX

@online{reference.wolfram_2026_randomcomplex, organization={Wolfram Research}, title={RandomComplex}, year={2007}, url={https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/RandomComplex.html}, note=[Accessed: 15-June-2026]}