The evaporative heat transfer coefficient of $CO_2$ (R-744) in a horizontal tube was investigated experimentally. The experiments were conducted without oil in a closed refrigerant loop which was driven by a magnetic gear pump. The main components of the refrigerant loop are a receiver, a variable-speed pump, a mass flow meter, a pre-heater and evaporator (test section). The test section consists of a smooth, horizontal stainless steel tube of inner diameter of 7.75 mm. The experiments were conducted at mass flux of 200 to 500 kg/m$^2$s, saturation temperature of -5 to 5$^{circ}C$, and heat flux of 10 to 40kW/m$^2$. The test results showed the heat transfer of $CO_2$ has a greater effect on nucleate boiling more than convective boiling. Mass flux of $CO_2$ does not affect nucleate boiling too much, and the effect of mass flux on evaporative heat transfer of $CO_2$ is much smaller than that of refrigerant R-22 and R-134a. In comparison with test results and existing correlations, correlations failed to predict the evaporative heat transfer coefficient of $CO_2$, therefore, it is necessary to develope reliable and accurate predictions determining the evaporative heat transfer coefficient of $CO_2$ in a horizontal tube.