How to Draw a Circle in Excel with Specific Radius (3 Methods)

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While working in Excel, we often need to draw circles in our worksheets. In Excel, there is no specific command or option to draw a circle. But Excel allows us to draw a circle by tweaking some of the built-in commands. We can also specify the radius of the circle. In this article, we will discuss three efficient approaches to draw a circle with specific radius in Excel. So, let’s start this article and explore these approaches.


How to Draw a Circle with Specific Radius in Excel: 3 Simple Methods

In this section of the article, we will learn three simple methods to draw a circle with specific radius in Excel. Not to mention, we used the Microsoft Excel 365 version for this article; however, you can use any version according to your preference.


1. Utilizing Parametric Equation of Circle

Utilizing the Parametric Equation of circle is one of the most effective ways to draw a circle with specific radius in Excel. First, let’s know about the parametric equation of circle.

The parametric equations of a circle are:

x = r cos(t) 

y = r sin(t)

Where, x, and y are the coordinate points, r is the radius of the circle, and t is the angle subtended by the radius at the center of the circle.

So, if we find the x, and y values and plot them in an Excel Scatter Chart, we will get a circle. Let’s say, we have the following dataset with values of different Angles. There are more cells at the bottom of this image. Now, let’s follow the steps mentioned below to draw a circle with specific radius in Excel.

how to draw a circle in excel with specific radius

Steps:

  • Firstly, create a table as shown in the image below.

Utilizing Parametric Equation of Circle to draw a circle in excel with specific radius

  • After that, enter the following formula in cell C5.
=$F$5*COS(B5)

Here, cell F5 represents the Radius of the circle, and cell B5 refers to the first cell of the Angle column. Then, the COS function will return the x value of the coordinate.

  • Then, press ENTER.

Using COS function to draw a circle in excel with specific radius

As a result, you will have the following output in cell C5 as shown in the following picture.

  • Following that, use the AutoFill feature to get the rest of the x values.

  • Now, apply the following formula in cell D5.
=$F$5*SIN(B5)

Here, cell F5 indicates the Radius of the circle, and cell B5 represents the first cell of the Angle column. Then, the SIN function will return the y value of the coordinate.

  • After that, hit ENTER.

Using SIN function to draw a circle in excel with specific radius

Subsequently, you will have the corresponding y values in cell D5.

  • Afterward, use the AutoFill option to get the remaining y values as shown in the following picture.

  • Following that, select the cells of the columns named R*COS(Angle), and R*SIN(Angle).
  • Then, go to the Insert tab from Ribbon.
  • After that, click on the Insert Scatter (X,Y) or Bubble Chart option from the Charts group.
  • Now, select the Scatter with Smooth Lines option from the drop-down.

Using Scatter Chart to draw a circle in excel with specific radius

As a result, you will have the following chart on your worksheet.

  • At this stage, you can customize the scatter chart and get the following final output.

You can see that we have created a circle with a radius of 10, using the parametric equations of the circle.

Final output of method 1 to draw a circle in excel with specific radius

Read More: How to Create Concentric Circle Chart in Excel


2. Using Shapes Option

Using the Shapes option is one of the easiest ways to draw a circle with a specific radius in Excel. Let’s use the instructions outlined below to do this.

Steps:

  • Firstly, go to the Insert tab from Ribbon.
  • After that, click on the Shapes option from the Illustrations group.

Using Shapes Option to draw a circle in excel with specific radius

  • Now, choose the Oval option from the drop-down as marked in the image below.

  • Following that, press and hold the SHIFT key from your keyboard.
  • Subsequently, draw a circle on your worksheet.

  • After that, right-click at any point inside the circle.
  • Then, choose the Format Shape option.

As a result, the Format Shape dialog box will appear on your worksheet.

  • Now, in the Format Shape dialog box, select the No Fill option under the Fill section.
  • Following that, choose the Solid line option under the Line section.
  • Next, increase the Width to 2 pt.

Editing Format Shape options to draw a circle in excel with specific radius

  • After that, go to the Size & Properties tab in the Format Shape dialogue box.
  • Now, insert the Height. It should be double the radius of the circle. For example, if you want a circle of radius 5, then the Height will be 10. In this case, we used 2 as the Height.
  • Then, insert the Width. It should be the same as the Height.

  • Finally, close the Format Shape dialog box and you will get a circle with a specific radius as demonstrated in the following image.

Final output of method 2 to draw a circle in excel with specific radius

Read More: How to Draw a Mohr Circle in Excel


3. Applying VBA Macro Feature

Applying the VBA Macro option is another smart way to draw a circle with a specific radius in Excel. In the following section, we will discuss the detailed steps to do this, along with the respective VBA code.

Steps:

  • Firstly, go to the Developer tab from Ribbon.
  • Then, click on the Visual Basic option from the Code group.

Applying VBA Macro Feature to draw a circle in excel with specific radius

As a result, the Microsoft Visual Basic window will open on your worksheet.

  • Now in the Microsoft Visual Basic window, go to the Insert tab.
  • Then, choose the Module option from the drop-down.

  • Following that, write the following code in the newly created Module.
Sub CircleGenerator()
Dim rad As Long
rad = InputBox("Insert the radius of the circle")

With ActiveSheet.Shapes.AddShape(msoShapeOval, 200, 200, rad * 2, rad * 2)
.Name = "CIRCLE"
.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = vbWhite
.Line.Transparency = 0
.Placement = 1
End With

End Sub

Writing VBA code to draw a circle in excel with specific radius

Code Breakdown

  • Firstly, we created a sub-procedure called CircleGenerator.
  • After that, we declared a variable named rad and defined it as Long.
  • Then, we took the value of the variable rad, by using an InputBox statement.
  • Following that, we used a With statement to specify the characteristics of the circle.
  • Subsequently, we ended the With statement.
  • Lastly, we terminated the sub-procedure.
  • After writing the code, click on the Save option.

  • Now, use the keyboard shortcut ALT + F11 and you will be redirected to the worksheet.
  • Then, press ALT + F8 to open the Macro dialogue box as shown in the following picture.

  • Now, in the Macro dialogue box, select the CircleGenerator option.
  • After that, click on Run.

Running Macro to draw a circle in excel with specific radius

As a result, a pop-up window will appear as shown in the following picture.

  • Now, insert the radius of the circle as you need. Here, we inserted 30 as the radius.
  • Subsequently, click OK.

Consequently, you will have a circle with a radius of 30 as demonstrated in the following picture.

Final output of method 3 to draw a circle in excel with specific radius

Read More: How to Circle Something in Excel


How to Draw an Arc in Excel

In this section of the article, we will learn how we can draw an arc in Excel. Drawing an arc is almost similar to the steps of drawing a circle. An arc is only a section of a circle. So, to draw an arc, we only need a section of the dataset that we used in the first method. Now, let’s follow the steps mentioned below to do this.

Steps:

  • Firstly, create a table as shown in the following image. Here, we specified the radius of the arc as 10 units.

How to Draw an Arc in Excel

Final output of method 4 to Draw an Arc in Excel


Practice Section

In the Excel Workbook, we have provided a Practice Section on the right side of the worksheet. Please practice it yourself.

practice section to draw a circle in excel with specific radius


Download Practice Workbook


Conclusion

So, these are the most common and effective methods you can use anytime while working with your Excel datasheet to draw a circle with specific radius in Excel. If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback related to this article, you can comment below.


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Zahid Hasan
Zahid Hasan

Zahid Hassan, BSc, Industrial and Production Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, has worked with Exceldmy for 1.5 years. He has written 95+ articles for Exceldemy. He has worked as an Excel & VBA Content Developer. He also worked as a VBA Developer for the Template team. Currently, he is working as a Junior Software Developer for the Excel Add-in project. He is interested in Software Development, Python, VBA, VB.NET, and Data Science, expanding his expertise in... Read Full Bio

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