NGC 5248 (also known as Caldwell 45) is a compact intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Boötes. Its velocity with respect to the cosmic microwave background is 1437 ñ 20km/s, which corresponds to a Hubble distance of . However, 17 non redshift measurements give a much closer distance of . It was discovered on 15 April 1784 by German-British astronomer William Herschel.
NGC 5248 is a member of the NGC 5248 Group of galaxies, itself one of the Virgo III Groups strung out to the east of the Virgo Supercluster of galaxies.