The present invention relates to a negative electrode material for a lithium battery comprising a carbonaceous negative electrode active substance having a specific surface area of 1 m2/g or more, a binder formed of styrene-butadiene rubber and a carbon fiber having a fiber diameter of 1 to 1,000 nm; and to a lithium battery using the negative electrode material, which has excellent characteristics, i.e., low electrode resistance, high electrode strength, excellent electrolytic solution permeability, high energy density, and good high-speed charging/discharging performance. The negative electrode material contains carbon fiber in the amount of 0.05 to 20 mass % and the binder formed of styrene-butadiene rubber in 0.1 to 6.0 mass %, and may further contain a thickener such as carboxymethyl cellulose in the amount of 0.3 to 3 mass %.