An active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte battery according to the embodiment is a composite including at least: a carbonaceous substance; and silicon-containing particles dispersed in the carbonaceous substance, the silicon-containing particles including at least one of silicon, a silicon alloy and a silicon oxide, wherein in an argon ion laser Raman spectrum, the half-width (ΔG) of a peak having a maximum intensity I1 in the range of 1575 cm−1 or more and 1625 cm−1 or less is 100 cm−1 or more and 150 cm−1 or less, and the intensity ratio of a peak having a maximum intensity I2 in the range of 500 cm−1 or more and 550 cm−1 or less to the peak having the maximum intensity I1 in the range of 1575 cm−1 or more and 1625 cm−1 or less (I2/I1) is 0.25 or more and 0.50 or less.