A negative electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries including: a particle of negative electrode active material, wherein the particle of negative electrode active material contains a particle of silicon compound containing a silicon compound (SiOx:0.5≤x≤1.6), on at least a part of a surface of the silicon compound a carbon coating film being formed, and the negative electrode active material contains 2% by mass or less of particle of silicon dioxide and the negative electrode active material contains a silicon dioxide-carbon composite secondary particle containing a plurality of the particles of silicon dioxide and carbon. As a result, the negative electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries capable of increasing battery capacity and improving the cycle characteristics and battery initial efficiency is provided.