diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py b/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py
index 63829a4..313dd67 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 ################################################################################
 #
 #  wuttaweb -- Web App for Wutta Framework
-#  Copyright © 2024-2025 Lance Edgar
+#  Copyright © 2024-2026 Lance Edgar
 #
 #  This file is part of Wutta Framework.
 #
@@ -30,6 +30,12 @@ import logging
 import warnings
 from collections import namedtuple, OrderedDict
 
+try:
+    from enum import EnumType
+except ImportError:  # pragma: no cover
+    # nb. python < 3.11
+    from enum import EnumMeta as EnumType
+
 import sqlalchemy as sa
 from sqlalchemy import orm
 
@@ -763,7 +769,7 @@ class Grid:  # pylint: disable=too-many-instance-attributes,too-many-public-meth
 
         :param key: Name of column.
 
-        :param enum: Instance of :class:`python:enum.Enum`.
+        :param enum: Instance of :class:`python:enum.Enum`, or a dict.
         """
         self.enums[key] = enum
         self.set_renderer(key, self.render_enum, enum=enum)
@@ -2050,7 +2056,7 @@ class Grid:  # pylint: disable=too-many-instance-attributes,too-many-public-meth
         See also :meth:`set_enum()`.
 
         :param enum: Enum class for the field.  This should be an
-           instance of :class:`~python:enum.Enum`.
+           instance of :class:`~python:enum.Enum` or else a dict.
 
         To use this feature for your grid::
 
@@ -2061,12 +2067,26 @@ class Grid:  # pylint: disable=too-many-instance-attributes,too-many-public-meth
                TWO = 2
                THREE = 3
 
-           grid.set_enum('my_enum_field', MyEnum)
+           grid.set_enum("my_enum_field", MyEnum)
+
+        Or, perhaps more common::
+
+           myenum = {
+              1: "ONE",
+              2: "TWO",
+              3: "THREE",
+           }
+
+           grid.set_enum("my_enum_field", myenum)
         """
         if enum:
-            raw_value = obj[key]
-            if raw_value:
-                return raw_value.value
+
+            if isinstance(enum, EnumType):
+                if raw_value := obj[key]:
+                    return raw_value.value
+
+            if isinstance(enum, dict):
+                return enum.get(value, value)
 
         return value
 
diff --git a/tests/grids/test_base.py b/tests/grids/test_base.py
index 5174335..4d9872d 100644
--- a/tests/grids/test_base.py
+++ b/tests/grids/test_base.py
@@ -1602,15 +1602,30 @@ class TestGrid(WebTestCase):
         grid = self.make_grid(columns=["foo", "bar"])
         obj = {"status": None}
 
-        # null
+        # true enum, null
         value = grid.render_enum(obj, "status", None, enum=enum.UpgradeStatus)
         self.assertIsNone(value)
 
-        # normal
+        # true enum, normal value
         obj["status"] = enum.UpgradeStatus.SUCCESS
         value = grid.render_enum(obj, "status", "SUCCESS", enum=enum.UpgradeStatus)
         self.assertEqual(value, "success")
 
+        # dict enum
+        statuses = {
+            enum.UpgradeStatus.SUCCESS.name: "success",
+            enum.UpgradeStatus.FAILURE.name: "failure",
+        }
+
+        # dict enum, null
+        value = grid.render_enum(obj, "status", None, enum=statuses)
+        self.assertIsNone(value)
+
+        # true enum, normal value
+        obj["status"] = enum.UpgradeStatus.SUCCESS.value
+        value = grid.render_enum(obj, "status", "SUCCESS", enum=statuses)
+        self.assertEqual(value, "success")
+
     def test_render_percent(self):
         grid = self.make_grid(columns=["foo", "bar"])
         obj = MagicMock()