An electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery includes an organic solvent including C3 to C5 alkyl propionate, and the electrolyte further includes a lithium salt and a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, wherein, in Chemical Formula 1, k, l, and m are independently integers of 0 to 20, k, l, and m are selected, so that Chemical Formula 1 has an asymmetric structure, n is an integer of 1 to 7, and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a fluoroalkyl group.