Abstract: In order to improve the first Coulomb efficiency and reversible capacity of graphited needle coke as cathode for lithium ion batteries, the surface of needle coke was coated by phenolformaldehyde resin. According to the analysis of XRD, SEM and relative electrochemical performances, the first reversible capacity and Coulomb efficiency of coke as cathode were increased from 269 mA·h/g and 55.0% without coating to 327 mA·h/g and 69.9% coating with 10% resin, and the charge capacity remained at 299 mA·h/g and the cycle efficiency was close 100% even after 20 cycles of charge/discharge. It means that the coating method can improve the electrochemical performance of graphited needle coke as cathode for lithium ion batteries.