A coated abrasive article comprised of a backing having a layer of grains adherently bonded thereto by a binding material, wherein the layer of grains comprises abrasive grains and nonabrasive composite grains, and the nonabrasive composite grains comprise inorganic nonabrasive particles bonded together by a binder selected from the group consisting of a metal salt of fatty acid, colloidal silica, and combinations thereof. The abrasive article has an unexpected abrading efficiency, performing equal to, or superior to, a coated abrasive article containing only abrasive grains. The invention also relates to a bonded abrasive article comprising the abrasive grains and nonabrasive composite grains adhered together.