Python – Center align column headers of a Pandas DataFrame

To center align column headers in a Pandas DataFrame, use the display.colheader_justify option with center value. This setting affects how column headers are displayed when printing DataFrames.

Syntax

pd.set_option('display.colheader_justify', 'center')

Creating a DataFrame

First, let's create a sample DataFrame with car data ?

import pandas as pd

# Create DataFrame
car_data = pd.DataFrame(
   {
      "Car": ['BMW', 'Lexus', 'Tesla', 'Mustang', 'Mercedes', 'Jaguar'],
      "Reg_Price": [7000.5057, 1500, 5000.9578, 8000, 9000.75768, 6000]
   }
)

print("DataFrame with default header alignment:")
print(car_data)

DataFrame with default header alignment:
        Car   Reg_Price
0       BMW  7000.50570
1     Lexus  1500.00000
2     Tesla  5000.95780
3   Mustang  8000.00000
4  Mercedes  9000.75768
5    Jaguar  6000.00000

Center Aligning Column Headers

Now apply the center alignment option and display the DataFrame ?

import pandas as pd

car_data = pd.DataFrame(
   {
      "Car": ['BMW', 'Lexus', 'Tesla', 'Mustang', 'Mercedes', 'Jaguar'],
      "Reg_Price": [7000.5057, 1500, 5000.9578, 8000, 9000.75768, 6000]
   }
)

# Set center alignment for column headers
pd.set_option('display.colheader_justify', 'center')

print("DataFrame with center aligned column headers:")
print(car_data)

DataFrame with center aligned column headers:
     Car   Reg_Price
0    BMW  7000.50570
1  Lexus  1500.00000
2  Tesla  5000.95780
3 Mustang  8000.00000
4 Mercedes  9000.75768
5 Jaguar  6000.00000

Other Alignment Options

You can also use other alignment values ?

import pandas as pd

car_data = pd.DataFrame({
    "Car": ['BMW', 'Tesla'],
    "Price": [7000, 5000]
})

# Right align headers
pd.set_option('display.colheader_justify', 'right')
print("Right aligned headers:")
print(car_data)

# Reset to default (left)
pd.reset_option('display.colheader_justify')
print("\nDefault alignment:")
print(car_data)

Right aligned headers:
    Car  Price
0   BMW   7000
1 Tesla   5000

Default alignment:
    Car  Price
0   BMW   7000
1 Tesla   5000

Conclusion

Use pd.set_option('display.colheader_justify', 'center') to center align DataFrame column headers. This setting applies globally to all DataFrame displays until reset with pd.reset_option().