This invention provides a powder for a positive electrode, comprising a positive electrode active material powder and a graphite powder. The positive electrode active material powder comprises primary particles and agglomerated particles of the primary particles. In the positive electrode active material powder, not less than 90% of the total number of the primary particles and the agglomerated particles of the primary particles is accounted for by particles having a diameter of not less than 0.01 [mu]m and not more than 5 [mu]m. The graphite powder comprises graphite particles, and the diameter of particles, which occupy not less than 90% of the total graphite particles in the powder and have the maximum particle diameter value, is not less than 0.1 [mu]m and not more than 10 [mu]m. The use of this powder for a positive electrode in a nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery can realize a high discharge capacity and high output at a high current rate.