Quick answer: The fastest way to find a Caterpillar part number is to read it directly off the old part (most CAT parts are stamped or cast with their number). If the part is missing or unreadable, identify it from your machine model and serial number using Caterpillar’s official parts lookup, or by browsing parts that fit your model. A CAT part number is usually seven characters — a mix of letters and digits such as 1R-0716 or 326-1642 (the dash is optional). If you’re unsure, send a clear photo of the part or its number to a supplier and have them confirm it.
Key takeaways:
- The number is usually printed on the part itself — check there first.
- No part to read? Use your machine’s model + serial number to look it up.
- CAT part numbers are typically 7 characters (e.g. 1R-0716); the dash is optional.
- Don’t confuse the part number with the machine serial number — they’re different.
- When in doubt, a photo to your supplier on WhatsApp is the fastest confirmation.
Ordering the wrong Caterpillar part costs time and money — and on a machine that’s down, time is the expensive part. Here are five reliable ways to find the correct CAT part number, from fastest to most thorough, plus the mistakes that trip people up.
1. Read it off the old part
Most genuine Caterpillar parts are stamped, etched, or cast with their part number. Clean off grease and dirt, check both faces and the edges, and look for a 7-character code. Filters often have it printed on the canister; castings have it raised in the metal; smaller parts may have it on a label or tag.
This is the most reliable method because it gives you the exact number with no guesswork.
2. Look it up from your machine model and serial number
If the old part is missing, damaged, or unreadable, you can identify the correct part from the machine. You’ll need two things:
- Your machine model (e.g. 320D, 950H, C7) — usually on the bodywork or in the operator’s manual.
- Your machine serial number — on the machine’s ID plate / Product Identification Number (PIN). The serial number matters because parts can change across production runs of the same model.
With those, Caterpillar’s official parts lookup (parts.cat.com and the Cat Central app) will list the correct part numbers for your exact machine. Note that a CAT serial number is not a part number — it identifies the machine, and you use it to find the parts.
3. Find parts by machine model
If you know your machine but not the exact part number, browse by model. Autoverse’s Shop by Machine lets you pick your Caterpillar model and see the parts that fit it — filters, pumps, seals, undercarriage and more — so you can match what you need without a parts manual in front of you.
4. Cross-reference an aftermarket or competitor number
If all you have is an aftermarket box with a different brand’s number, that number can usually be cross-referenced back to the genuine Caterpillar part number. Send the number you have to a supplier and ask them to confirm the equivalent CAT part — this avoids ordering a part that looks similar but fits differently.
5. Send a photo
When you’re not sure, a clear photo is the fastest path. Photograph the part, any number you can see, and the machine’s ID plate, and send them to your supplier. An experienced parts team can usually identify the part and confirm the number quickly — often faster than working through a manual yourself.
What does a Caterpillar part number look like?
A CAT part number is typically seven characters: a short letter-and-digit prefix followed by digits, for example 1R-0716, 7N-0205, or 326-1642. The dash is a convention for readability — 1R-0716 and 1R0716 refer to the same part, so search both ways if one doesn’t return a result.
Common mistakes to avoid
| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using the machine serial number as the part number | No match — they’re different identifiers | Use the serial number to look up the part, not as the part number |
| Transposing digits (e.g. 326-1624 vs 326-1642) | Wrong part ordered | Double-check against the part or a photo |
| Searching only with (or without) the dash | Search returns nothing | Try both 1R-0716 and 1R0716 |
| Ignoring the serial-number break | Part doesn’t fit your production run | Confirm the part for your exact serial number |
How Autoverse helps you find the right part
- Search by part number — type the CAT number (with or without the dash) on autoverse.ae.
- Browse by machine — use Shop by Machine to see parts that fit your model.
- Send a photo on WhatsApp — we’ll identify the part and confirm the number.
- Not in stock? We source it — genuine and Autoverse Engineered parts, with quotes usually within 24 working hours.
Not sure of your part number?
Send us a photo of the part or your machine’s ID plate — we’ll identify it and quote you, usually within 24 working hours.
WhatsApp +971 56 610 0995 Request a quoteFrequently asked questions
What does a Caterpillar part number look like?
A CAT part number is typically seven characters — a short letter-and-digit prefix followed by digits, such as 1R-0716, 7N-0205, or 326-1642. The dash is optional: 1R-0716 and 1R0716 are the same part.
Where is the part number on a Caterpillar part?
It is usually stamped, etched, cast, or printed on the part itself. Clean off grease and check both faces and the edges. Filters often show it on the canister; castings have it raised in the metal; small parts may carry it on a label or tag.
Can I find a CAT part using my machine serial number?
Yes. Your machine model plus its serial number (from the ID plate / PIN) lets you look up the exact correct part through Caterpillar’s official parts lookup, or you can browse parts by model. The serial number matters because parts can change across production runs of the same model.
What is the difference between a CAT part number and a serial number?
The serial number identifies the machine; the part number identifies a component. You use the serial number to find the right part number — the serial number itself is never used to order a part.
Can you identify a Caterpillar part from a photo?
Often, yes. Send a clear photo of the part, any visible number, and the machine ID plate to our team on WhatsApp (+971 56 610 0995) and we can usually identify the part and confirm the number quickly.
How do I find parts that fit my Caterpillar machine?
Use Autoverse Shop by Machine: pick your Caterpillar model and you’ll see the parts that fit it, so you can order without a parts manual. For anything not listed, send the model and we’ll source it.
About Autoverse: Autoverse is a UAE-based supplier of genuine Caterpillar parts and Autoverse Engineered aftermarket parts, serving heavy-equipment and power-generation operators across the UAE, GCC, and Africa from a warehouse in Sharjah. Search by part number or by machine model at autoverse.ae.