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 negative dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat or that is suitably balanced between at least two of the characteristics, is described. The liquid crystal composition includes a compound having three or more polymerizable groups as a first component and a compound having one or two polymerizable groups as a second component in a suitable ratio, and that may include a specific compound having a large negative dielectric anisotropy and a low minimum temperature as a third component or a specific compound having a small viscosity or a high maximum temperature as a fourth component.