A liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase comprising two components, wherein the first component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formula (1), and the second component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formula (2), and the third component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formula (3): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl having 1 to 12 carbons, alkoxy having 1 to 12 carbons or alkenyl having 2 to 12 carbons or alkenyl having 2 to 12 carbons in which arbitrary hydrogen is replaced by fluorine; ring A and ring B are each independently 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene; 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene; and X1, X2, X3 and X4 are each independently hydrogen or fluorine.