A cathode active material for a lithium secondary battery includes a nickel-based lithium metal oxide particle doped with Zr and Al. The nickel-based lithium metal oxide particle includes a core portion having a constant molar content of nickel, and a shell portion surrounding an outer surface of the core portion and having a concentration gradient in which a molar content of nickel gradually decreases in a direction from an interface with the core portion to an outermost periphery. The core portion and the shell portion are doped with Al and Zr.