<?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>0001745377</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </filerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



    </filerInfo>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <issuerInfo>
      <issuerCik>0000886346</issuerCik>
      <issuerName>KADANT INC</issuerName>
      <secFileNumber>001-11406</secFileNumber>
      <issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>ONE TECHNOLOGY PARK DRIVE</com:street1>
        <com:city>WESTFORD</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>MA</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>01886</com:zipCode>
      </issuerAddress>
      <issuerContactPhone>(978) 776-2000</issuerContactPhone>
      <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>KRAUSE STACY D.</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Officer</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>Wells Fargo Advisors</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>1 N. Jefferson Ave</com:street1>
          <com:city>St. Louis</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>MO</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>63103</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>1843</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>393603.37</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>11703481</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>06/07/2023</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>NYSE</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>03/10/2023</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Restricted Stock Vesting</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Issuer</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>1843</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>03/10/2023</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>N/A</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>N</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
      <sellerDetails>
        <name>Stacy Krause</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>One Technology Park Drive</com:street1>
          <com:city>Westford</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>MA</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>01886</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </sellerDetails>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <saleDate>03/13/2023</saleDate>
      <amountOfSecuritiesSold>780</amountOfSecuritiesSold>
      <grossProceeds>159844.72</grossProceeds>
    </securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>06/07/2023</noticeDate>
      <signature>Stacy Krause</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
  </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
