Carbon-coated LiFePO4 (C-LiFePO4) with micron particle size (6μm) and high tap density (1.6gcm−3) was prepared from spherical FePO4·2H2O powder via the co-precipitation method. The C-LiFePO4 powder was calcined at temperatures between 650 and 800°C. The 6μm C-LiFePO4 prepared at 800°C exhibited an excellent rate capability, delivering 150mAhg−1 on discharge at the 0.1C-rate and 108mAhg−1 at the 5C-rate. The volumetric capacity of the 6μm C-LiFePO4 corresponded to 225mAhcm−3, since the large secondary particles (6μm) C-LiFePO4 sufficiently allowed tight packing of the particles. The 6μm C-LiFePO4 powder with high tap density makes an attractive positive electrode candidate for lithium-ion batteries designed for high energy density.