A separator for a rechargeable lithium battery includes a porous substrate; and a coating layer disposed on one or more sides of the porous substrate, the coating layer including organic particles and a binder polymer, wherein the organic particles include a material different from that of the binder polymer and the binder polymer is included in the coating layer in an amount in a range of 50 to 99 wt % based on the total amount of the coating layer, and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same.