Lithium cobalt oxide, which can provide a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having an excellent initial capacity and an excellent capacity retention, and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The lithium cobalt oxide has a tap density of at least 1.7 g/cm.sup.3 and a pressed density of 3.5 to 4.0 g/cm.sup.3. A method for manufacturing the lithium cobalt oxide includes the step of selecting a lithium cobalt oxide (A) and a lithium cobalt oxide (B) so that a difference in the tap density between the lithium cobalt oxide (A) and the lithium cobalt oxide (B) is at least 0.2 g/cm.sup.3; and mixing the lithium cobalt oxide (A) and the lithium cobalt oxide (B).