<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
  <headerData>
    <submissionType>144</submissionType>
    <filerInfo>
      <filer>
        <filerCredentials>
          <cik>0001552649</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </filerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



    </filerInfo>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <issuerInfo>
      <issuerCik>0000018230</issuerCik>
      <issuerName>CATERPILLAR INC</issuerName>
      <secFileNumber>001-00768</secFileNumber>
      <issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>5205 N. O'CONNOR BOULEVARD</com:street1>
        <com:street2>SUITE 100</com:street2>
        <com:city>IRVING</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>TX</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>75039</com:zipCode>
      </issuerAddress>
      <issuerContactPhone>9728917700</issuerContactPhone>
      <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>Johnson Cheryl H</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Officer</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>ETRADE FINANCIAL CORPORATION</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>3 EDISON DRIVE</com:street1>
          <com:city>ALPHARETTA</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>GA</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>30005</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>18294</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>5232084.00</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>510100000</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>08/09/2023</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>NYSE</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>08/09/2023</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>STOCK OPTION EXERCISE</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>ISSUER</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>18294</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>08/09/2023</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATION</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>N</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
      <sellerDetails>
        <name>CHERYL JOHNSON</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>5205 N. O'CONNOR BLVD.</com:street1>
          <com:street2>SUITE 100</com:street2>
          <com:city>IRVING</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>TX</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>75039</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </sellerDetails>
      <securitiesClassTitle>STOCK OPTION EXERCISE</securitiesClassTitle>
      <saleDate>07/18/2023</saleDate>
      <amountOfSecuritiesSold>6415</amountOfSecuritiesSold>
      <grossProceeds>1667900.00</grossProceeds>
    </securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>08/09/2023</noticeDate>
      <signature>/s/ Cheryl H. Johnson</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
  </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
