The invention 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 large optical anisotropy, a large positive dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a large elastic coefficient, a high stability to ultraviolet light and heat, or that is suitably balanced between at least two of the characteristics. As the liquid crystal display device containing the compositions 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, thus it can be used for the liquid crystal projector, liquid crystal television and so forth.