Cathode active materials for lithium secondary batteries and lithium secondary batteries including the cathode active materials are disclosed. In an embodiment, a cathode active material includes a lithium iron phosphate-based particle including a surface portion and a central portion, both of which includes vanadium (V). A total weight of the vanadium contained in the lithium iron phosphate-based particle includes a first weight amount of vanadium contained in the surface portion of the lithium iron phosphate-based particle and a second weight amount of vanadium contained in the central portion of the lithium iron phosphate-based particle, and the first weight amount is greater than the second weight amount.