Provided are a liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one of characteristics such as high maximum temperature, low minimum temperature, low viscosity, suitable optical anisotropy and large negative dielectric anisotropy, or having a suitable balance regarding at least two of the characteristics; and an AM device including the composition. The liquid crystal composition contains a specific compound having large negative dielectric anisotropy as a first component, and a specific compound having high maximum temperature or low viscosity as a second component, and may contain a specific compound having negative dielectric anisotropy as a third component, or a specific compound having a polymerizable group as an additive.