High　chemical　and　mechanical　stability　of　cathode　surface　are　the　prerequisites　enabling　high-performance　rechargeable　battery.　Surface　facet　is　among　the　surface　properties　that　dictate　surface　stability　and　cycling　performance,　while　its　underlying　mechanism　remains　elusive.　Herein,　it　is　reported　that　surface　stability　is　closely　related　to　the　surface　facet　for　a　variety　of　layered　cathodes.　The　investigation　shows　that　surface　structure　of　P2　layered　cathode　undergoes　sequential　transformation　upon　cycling,　which　results　in　severe　surface　degradation.　This　study　finds　that　the　surface　facets　perpendicular　to　the　(002)　planes　experience　severe　cracking　and　corrosion,　while　other　surface　facets　are　much　more　stable.　The　surface　stability　difference　mainly　comes　from　a　geometric　effect　on　strain　release,　which　determines　the　mechanical　stability　of　surface.　Chemically,　transition　metal　condensation　forms　a　passivation　layer　to　effectively　prevent　the　inward　propagation　of　surface　degradation.　Therefore,　the　surface　facets　oblique　to　the　layered-planes　are　intrinsically　more　resistant　to　mechanical　cracking　and　chemical　corrosion,　which　is　further　verified　as　a　common　effect　in　several　O3-type　layered　cathodes.　This　work　not　only　deepens　the　understanding　of　the　mechanism　how　surface　facet　affects　surface　stability,　but　also　validates　surface　facet　regulation　can　be　a　promising　strategy　for　optimizing　battery　materials.