diff --git a/cubed/random.py b/cubed/random.py
index 6c60a6c9..4016f94e 100644
--- a/cubed/random.py
+++ b/cubed/random.py
@@ -9,14 +9,13 @@
 from cubed.vendor.dask.array.core import normalize_chunks
 
 
-def random(size, *, chunks=None, spec=None):
+def random(size, *, dtype=nxp.float64, chunks=None, spec=None):
     """Return random floats in the half-open interval [0.0, 1.0)."""
     shape = normalize_shape(size)
-    dtype = nxp.float64
     chunks = normalize_chunks(chunks, shape=shape, dtype=dtype)
     numblocks = tuple(map(len, chunks))
     root_seed = pyrandom.getrandbits(128)
-
+    extra_func_kwargs = dict(dtype=dtype)
     return map_blocks(
         _random,
         dtype=dtype,
@@ -24,12 +23,13 @@ def random(size, *, chunks=None, spec=None):
         spec=spec,
         numblocks=numblocks,
         root_seed=root_seed,
+        extra_func_kwargs=extra_func_kwargs,
     )
 
 
-def _random(x, numblocks=None, root_seed=None, block_id=None):
+def _random(x, numblocks=None, root_seed=None, dtype=nxp.float64, block_id=None):
     stream_id = block_id_to_offset(block_id, numblocks)
     rg = Generator(Philox(key=root_seed + stream_id))
-    out = rg.random(x.shape)
+    out = rg.random(x.shape, dtype=dtype)
     out = numpy_array_to_backend_array(out)
     return out
diff --git a/cubed/tests/test_random.py b/cubed/tests/test_random.py
index 5144538c..16ce795b 100644
--- a/cubed/tests/test_random.py
+++ b/cubed/tests/test_random.py
@@ -29,8 +29,22 @@ def test_random(spec, executor):
 
     assert a.shape == (10, 10)
     assert a.chunks == ((4, 4, 2), (5, 5))
+    assert a.dtype == xp.float64
 
     x = nxp.unique_values(a.compute(executor=executor))
+    assert x.dtype == xp.float64
+    assert len(x) > 90
+
+
+def test_random_dtype(spec, executor):
+    a = cubed.random.random((10, 10), dtype=xp.float32, chunks=(4, 5), spec=spec)
+
+    assert a.shape == (10, 10)
+    assert a.chunks == ((4, 4, 2), (5, 5))
+    assert a.dtype == xp.float32
+
+    x = nxp.unique_values(a.compute(executor=executor))
+    assert x.dtype == xp.float32
     assert len(x) > 90