The subject is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light, a high stability to heat and a large elastic constant, or that is suitably balanced regarding at least two of the characteristics. The subject is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. The invention provides a liquid crystal composition that has a nematic phase and includes a four-ring compound containing a dioxane ring and having a high maximum temperature and a large dielectric anisotropy as a first component, a specific two-ring compound having a small viscosity as a second component, a specific three-ring compound having a large dielectric anisotropy as a third component and a specific four-ring compound having a high maximum temperature and a large dielectric anisotropy, and also provides a liquid crystal display device containing this composition.