To provide a liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of the nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or to provide a liquid crystal composition having a suitable balance regarding at least two of the characteristics; and to provide an AM device having a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth.
The liquid crystal composition has a nematic phase and contains a specific compound having a large dielectric anisotropy as a first component, may contain a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or a small viscosity as a second component and a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or a large dielectric anisotropy as a third component; and a liquid crystal display device includes the liquid crystal composition.