A rechargeable lithium battery includes a positive electrode having a positive active material to reversibly intercalate and deintercalate lithium ions, a negative electrode having a negative active material, and an electrolyte, wherein an arithmetic mean Ra of a surface roughness of the positive electrode is 155 to 419 nm, and an arithmetic mean Ra of a surface roughness of the negative electrode is 183 to 1159 nm after the rechargeable lithium battery is charged and discharged.