A kinetic model for the oxidation of a $UO_2$ pellet to $U_3O_8$ powder has been suggested by considering the mass transfer and the diffusion of oxygen molecules. The kinetic parameters were estimated by a fitting of the experimental data. The activation energies for the chemical reaction and the product layer diffusion were calculated from the kinetic model. The oxidation conversion of a $UO_2$ pellet was simulated at various operating conditions. The suggested model explains the oxidation behavior of $UO_2$ well.