Cao Xiu (died 228) is a general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history.

He serves the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period.

A distant nephew of Cao Cao, Cao Xiu is given special attention by the former, who once asserted him befitting the role of a commander.

During Liu Bei's Hanzhong Campaign, Cao Xiu outwits his two opponents, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao, who are far more well known than he.

Cao Xiu becoms a district commander during later life and leads various campaigns against Sun Quan's forces; despite defeating several enemy units, few of the campaigns meet with success.

He dies in 228 shortly after his disastrous final campaign against Eastern Wu.