Scoville heat explorer

How hot is that pepper? Our table lists 35 varieties, with the figures we quote side by side.

Heat varies with genetics, weather, growing conditions and fruit age. Each row shows the range across the figures we quote, with a link to each source page. 35 varieties, 95 quoted figures from 13 sources.

Genetics, weather, growing conditions, and fruit age affect capsaicinoid content and thus the heat level.

NMSU Circular 706: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University, 1913–2022 · checked October 14, 2026

is measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the heat level is indicated in Scoville Heat Units (SHU)

NMSU Circular 706: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University, 1913–2022 · checked October 14, 2026

Keep in mind that specific cultivars or even individual peppers may vary, depending on type and their growing conditions.

Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers · checked October 14, 2026

Water stress on pepper plants can increase pungency, and cooler temperatures can lower the heat of peppers.

Illinois Extension: Growing and using peppers · checked October 14, 2026

The Chile Pepper Institute does not provide HPLC/SHU/Heat testing on chile pepper samples to the general public

NMSU Chile Pepper Institute: Heat · checked October 14, 2026

Our take written by Pepperheads

Each row collects the figures we quote for that variety, and the range column runs from the low end to the high end of those figures. The displayed NMSU quotation identifies genetics, weather, growing conditions and fruit age as factors affecting heat, and Illinois Extension adds that water stress can increase pungency and cooler temperatures can lower it. The NMSU quotation describes measurement using HPLC and reporting heat in Scoville Heat Units. Oregon State notes that cultivars and individual peppers may vary.

The NMSU cultivar rows show the spread plainly. For Sandia, NMSU's research report prints 1,500–2,000, and its later circular prints 6,500 in a table while its text says 1,500 to 2,000. We show all three and let the range carry the disagreement.

Varieties for which we found a single published figure sit below the table as gaps, and the species column stays blank where our sources don't state one.

The heat table

35 varieties shown

Scoville heat units by variety: the range across quoted sources. Click a column heading to sort.
			Sources and verbatim quotes	Date checked
Bell pepper	C. annuum species source Capsicum annuum (Anaheim, ancho/poblano, banana, bell, cayenne, cheese, cherry, chiltipine, cubanelle, Hungarian wax, Italian sweet, jalapeño, ornamental cultivars, padrón, pepperoncini, pimento, serrano, and shishito) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	02 figures	Bell Pepper – 0 SHU UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peppers Ranked by Heat essentially no pungency (0 SHU) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	2026-10-14
Pimento (pimiento)	C. annuum species source Capsicum annuum (Anaheim, ancho/poblano, banana, bell, cayenne, cheese, cherry, chiltipine, cubanelle, Hungarian wax, Italian sweet, jalapeño, ornamental cultivars, padrón, pepperoncini, pimento, serrano, and shishito) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	0–5003 figures	Pimento 100-500 Cornell CALS: Pepper Secrets 0–500 Pimento Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden Pimiento peppers are sweet (0 SHU) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	2026-10-14
Cubanelle	C. annuum species source Capsicum annuum (Anaheim, ancho/poblano, banana, bell, cayenne, cheese, cherry, chiltipine, cubanelle, Hungarian wax, Italian sweet, jalapeño, ornamental cultivars, padrón, pepperoncini, pimento, serrano, and shishito) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	500–1,0003 figures	Cubanelle Pepper – About 1,000 SHU UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peppers Ranked by Heat 500–1,000 Cubanelle Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden they are relatively mild in terms of pungency (about 1,000 SHU) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	2026-10-14
Anaheim	C. annuum species source C. annuum Anaheim, Banana, Bell, Cayenne, Hungarian Wax, Jalapeno, Medusa, Poblano, and Serrano Illinois Extension: How to grow peppers	100–5,0005 figures	The Anaheim is rated at between 100-500 units University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension (Miller County): Unless You Are a Chile Expert Anaheim 500 to 1,000 Illinois Extension: Growing and using peppers Anaheim 500-1,500 Cornell CALS: Pepper Secrets 1,000–2,500 Poblano, Anaheim Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden Anaheim Pepper – 1,000 to 5,000 SHU UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peppers Ranked by Heat	2026-10-14
Poblano	C. annuum species source Capsicum annuum (Anaheim, ancho/poblano, banana, bell, cayenne, cheese, cherry, chiltipine, cubanelle, Hungarian wax, Italian sweet, jalapeño, ornamental cultivars, padrón, pepperoncini, pimento, serrano, and shishito) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	1,000–3,0004 figures	Poblano 1,000-2,000 Cornell CALS: Pepper Secrets Poblano Pepper – 1,000 to 2,000 SHU UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peppers Ranked by Heat 1,000–2,500 Poblano, Anaheim Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden Poblano 2,500 to 3,000 Illinois Extension: Growing and using peppers	2026-10-14
Jalapeño	C. annuum species source Capsicum annuum (Anaheim, ancho/poblano, banana, bell, cayenne, cheese, cherry, chiltipine, cubanelle, Hungarian wax, Italian sweet, jalapeño, ornamental cultivars, padrón, pepperoncini, pimento, serrano, and shishito) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	2,000–10,0005 figures	Jalapeño Pepper – 2,000 to 8,000 SHU UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peppers Ranked by Heat Jalapeno 2,500 to 5,000 Illinois Extension: Growing and using peppers Jalapeno peppers range from 2,500 to 8,000 SHU Clemson HGIC: Pepper 2,500–10,000 Jalapeño Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden Jalapeno 3,000-8,000 Cornell CALS: Pepper Secrets	2026-10-14
Serrano	C. annuum species source Capsicum annuum (Anaheim, ancho/poblano, banana, bell, cayenne, cheese, cherry, chiltipine, cubanelle, Hungarian wax, Italian sweet, jalapeño, ornamental cultivars, padrón, pepperoncini, pimento, serrano, and shishito) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	5,000–25,0005 figures	The rating of serrano peppers ranges from 5,000 to 15,000 SHU NDSU Extension Prairie Fare: Spice up your menus with hot chili peppers Serrano 5,000 to 15,000 Illinois Extension: Growing and using peppers Serrano Pepper – 10,000 to 25,000 SHU UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peppers Ranked by Heat Serrano 10,000-25,000 Cornell CALS: Pepper Secrets 10,000–25,000 Serrano Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden	2026-10-14
Cayenne	C. annuum species source Capsicum annuum (Anaheim, ancho/poblano, banana, bell, cayenne, cheese, cherry, chiltipine, cubanelle, Hungarian wax, Italian sweet, jalapeño, ornamental cultivars, padrón, pepperoncini, pimento, serrano, and shishito) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	25,000–50,0004 figures	Cayenne Pepper – 25,000 to 50,000 SHU UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peppers Ranked by Heat 25,000–50,000 Tabasco, Cayenne Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden a cayenne pepper’s heat rating ranges from 30,000 to 50,000 SHU NDSU Extension Prairie Fare: Spice up your menus with hot chili peppers Cayenne peppers are somewhat wrinkled, thin and long (0.5 inch by 3 inches) and hot (30,000–50,000 SHU) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	2026-10-14
Hungarian wax (Hungarian Yellow Hot Wax)	C. annuum species source Capsicum annuum (Anaheim, ancho/poblano, banana, bell, cayenne, cheese, cherry, chiltipine, cubanelle, Hungarian wax, Italian sweet, jalapeño, ornamental cultivars, padrón, pepperoncini, pimento, serrano, and shishito) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	1,000–15,0002 figures	Hungarian Yellow Hot Wax – 2,000 - 4,000 SHU Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden They vary from sweet to mild to quite hot in pungency (1,000–15,000 SHU) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers (for the whole wax-pepper group (banana, Hungarian wax, pepperoncini))	2026-10-14
Cherry pepper	C. annuum species source Capsicum annuum (Anaheim, ancho/poblano, banana, bell, cayenne, cheese, cherry, chiltipine, cubanelle, Hungarian wax, Italian sweet, jalapeño, ornamental cultivars, padrón, pepperoncini, pimento, serrano, and shishito) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	100–5,0001 figure	Cherry are globe-shaped, about 1 inch in diameter, and range in heat from 100 to 5,000 SHU Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	2026-10-14
Paprika pepper	not stated in our sources	250–1,0001 figure	Paprika peppers generally have a tough skin and thin flesh walls with mild pungency (250–1,000 SHU) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	2026-10-14
Cajun Belle (hot bell)	not stated in our sources	100–4,0002 figures	Cajun Belle – 100 - 1,000 SHU Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden range from mild to intensely hot (500–4,000 SHU). Cultivars include Cajun Belle and MexiBell Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers (for hot bell peppers as a group)	2026-10-14
Mariachi	not stated in our sources	100–1,0001 figure	Mariachi – 100 - 1,000 SHU Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden	2026-10-14
Mucho Nacho	not stated in our sources	2,500–5,0001 figure	Mucho Nacho – 2,500 - 5,000 SHU Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden	2026-10-14
El Jefe	not stated in our sources	4,000–6,0001 figure	El Jefe – 4,000 - 6,000 SHU Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden	2026-10-14
Thai pepper (bird's eye chili)	not stated in our sources	50,000–100,0004 figures	Thai Pepper – 50,000 to 100,000 SHU UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peppers Ranked by Heat Thai 50,000 to 100,000 Illinois Extension: Growing and using peppers Thai Chiles 50,000-100,000 Cornell CALS: Pepper Secrets 50,000–100,000 Bird's eye chili (Thai chili pepper) Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden	2026-10-14
Tabasco	C. frutescens species source ‘Tabasco’ pepper is Capsicum frutescens Ohio State University Extension, Ohioline HYG-1618: Growing Peppers	25,000–50,0003 figures	25,000–50,000 Tabasco, Cayenne Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden Tabasco Pepper – 30,000 to 50,000 SHU UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peppers Ranked by Heat Peppers of C. frutescens cultivars are 1–3 inches long, slim, tapered and very hot (30,000–50,000 SHU) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers (for C. frutescens cultivars as a group)	2026-10-14
Ají types (C. baccatum, species-level figure)	C. baccatum species source Capsicum baccatum (Ají Amarillo, Bishop’s Crown, Sweet Piquanté) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	30,000–50,0001 figure	C. baccatum are hot peppers with a piney to citrus-like fruity flavor (30,000 to 50,000 SHU) Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	2026-10-14
Cachucha (ají dulce)	C. chinense species source Capsicum chinense Cachucha Pepper UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peppers Ranked by Heat	500–1,5001 figure	Cachucha Pepper – 500 to 1,500 SHU UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peppers Ranked by Heat	2026-10-14
Habanero	C. chinense species source some of our hottest peppers such as ‘Habanero’, ‘Trinidad Moruga Scorpion’, ‘Scotch Bonnets’, ‘Carolina Reaper’, and ‘Ghost’ pepper or ‘Bhut jolokia’ are members of the species Capsicum chinense Ohio State University Extension, Ohioline HYG-1618: Growing Peppers	100,000–350,0005 figures	Habenero 100,000 to 300,000 Illinois Extension: Growing and using peppers The rating for habanero peppers ranges from 100,000 to 300,000 SHU NDSU Extension Prairie Fare: Spice up your menus with hot chili peppers Habanero Pepper – 100,000 to 350,000 SHU UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peppers Ranked by Heat ‘Habanero’ peppers, as those shown above, measure between 100,000 and 350,000 on the Scoville scale Ohio State University Extension, Ohioline HYG-1618: Growing Peppers Habanero 150,000- 350,000 Cornell CALS: Pepper Secrets	2026-10-14
Orange habanero	not stated in our sources	200,000–350,0002 figures	Habanero Orange – 200,000 - 350,000 SHU Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden Orange Habanero (250,000 SHU) NMSU Chile Pepper Institute: Heat	2026-10-14
Scotch bonnet	C. chinense species source some of our hottest peppers such as ‘Habanero’, ‘Trinidad Moruga Scorpion’, ‘Scotch Bonnets’, ‘Carolina Reaper’, and ‘Ghost’ pepper or ‘Bhut jolokia’ are members of the species Capsicum chinense Ohio State University Extension, Ohioline HYG-1618: Growing Peppers	100,000–350,0004 figures	Scotch Bonnet 100,000-325,000 Cornell CALS: Pepper Secrets Scotch Bonnet Pepper – 100,000 to 350,000 SHU UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peppers Ranked by Heat Scotch Bonnet – 100,000 - 350,000 SHU Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden Scotch Bonnet (350,000 SHU) NMSU Chile Pepper Institute: Heat	2026-10-14
Red Savina habanero	not stated in our sources	350,000–750,0002 figures	350,000–750,000 Red Savina habanero Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden Red Savina Habanero (500,000 SHU) NMSU Chile Pepper Institute: Heat	2026-10-14
Bhut jolokia (ghost pepper)	C. chinense; Oregon State describes it as a C. chinense × C. frutescens hybrid species source some of our hottest peppers such as ‘Habanero’, ‘Trinidad Moruga Scorpion’, ‘Scotch Bonnets’, ‘Carolina Reaper’, and ‘Ghost’ pepper or ‘Bhut jolokia’ are members of the species Capsicum chinense Ohio State University Extension, Ohioline HYG-1618: Growing Peppers Ghost pepper (also known as bhut jolokia) is a hybrid (cross) of C. chinense and C. fructescens Oregon State University Extension EC 1227: Grow your own peppers	750,000–1,500,0005 figures	750,000–1,500,000 Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, Ghost pepper Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden Ghost Chiles 850,000-1,000,000 Cornell CALS: Pepper Secrets The ghost pepper hits the Scoville scale at a mind blowing 855,000 to 1,041,427 Scoville heat units University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension (Miller County): Unless You Are a Chile Expert Bhut Jolokia (1 Million SHU) NMSU Chile Pepper Institute: Heat The third hottest pepper in the world at 1,041,427 SHU UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peppers Ranked by Heat	2026-10-14
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion	C. chinense species source some of our hottest peppers such as ‘Habanero’, ‘Trinidad Moruga Scorpion’, ‘Scotch Bonnets’, ‘Carolina Reaper’, and ‘Ghost’ pepper or ‘Bhut jolokia’ are members of the species Capsicum chinense Ohio State University Extension, Ohioline HYG-1618: Growing Peppers	750,000–2,000,0003 figures	750,000–1,500,000 Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, Ghost pepper Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden There is even a pepper called the Trinidad Moruga scorpion that measures more than 1.2 million Scoville units UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Hot Peppers (printed as “more than”) Trinidad Moruga Scorpion (2 Million SHU) NMSU Chile Pepper Institute: Heat	2026-10-14
Carolina Reaper	C. chinense species source some of our hottest peppers such as ‘Habanero’, ‘Trinidad Moruga Scorpion’, ‘Scotch Bonnets’, ‘Carolina Reaper’, and ‘Ghost’ pepper or ‘Bhut jolokia’ are members of the species Capsicum chinense Ohio State University Extension, Ohioline HYG-1618: Growing Peppers	1,400,000–2,500,0004 figures	The Carolina Reaper eclipses it at 1,400,000 to 2,200,000 SHU University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension (Miller County): Unless You Are a Chile Expert 1,500,000–2,500,000 Carolina Reaper Iowa State Extension: Growing Peppers in the Home Garden the hottest pepper in the world (as of 2020) with an average of 1.64 million SHU is the Carolina Reaper Clemson HGIC: Pepper (an average) the Carolina Reaper, measuring at 2.2 million Scoville units UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Hot Peppers	2026-10-14
New Mexico No. 9 (New Mexican pod type)	not stated in our sources	1,000–1,5003 figures	New Mexico No. 9 New Mexican 1,000–1,500 1913 NMSU Research Report 792: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University Released from 1913 to 2016 estimated to have been in the range of 1,000 to 1,500 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) NMSU Circular 706: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University, 1913–2022 New Mexico No. 9 New Mexican 1,500 1913 NMSU Circular 706: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University, 1913–2022	2026-10-14
Sandia (New Mexican pod type)	not stated in our sources	1,500–6,5003 figures	Sandia New Mexican 1,500–2,000 1956 NMSU Research Report 792: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University Released from 1913 to 2016 The cultivar is considered hot, with a heat level of 1,500 to 2,000 SHU NMSU Circular 706: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University, 1913–2022 Sandia New Mexican 6,500 1956 NMSU Circular 706: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University, 1913–2022	2026-10-14
NuMex Big Jim (New Mexican pod type)	not stated in our sources	500–6,5002 figures	NuMex Big Jim New Mexican 500–2,000 1975 NMSU Research Report 792: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University Released from 1913 to 2016 NuMex Big Jim New Mexican 6500 1975 NMSU Circular 706: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University, 1913–2022	2026-10-14
Española Improved (New Mexican pod type)	not stated in our sources	1,500–2,5003 figures	Española Improved New Mexican 1,500–2,000 1984 NMSU Research Report 792: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University Released from 1913 to 2016 with high heat levels of 1,500 to 2,000 SHU NMSU Circular 706: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University, 1913–2022 Española Improved New Mexican 2,500 1984 NMSU Circular 706: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University, 1913–2022	2026-10-14
NuMex R Naky (New Mexican pod type)	not stated in our sources	260–7603 figures	NuMex R Naky New Mexican 260–760 1985 NMSU Research Report 792: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University Released from 1913 to 2016 The heat level was 260 to 760 SHU, making it a very mild cultivar NMSU Circular 706: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University, 1913–2022 NuMex R Naky New Mexican 350 1985 NMSU Circular 706: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University, 1913–2022	2026-10-14
NuMex Heritage Big Jim (New Mexican pod type)	not stated in our sources	7,000–9,5002 figures	NuMex Heritage Big Jim New Mexican 7,000–9,000 2008 NMSU Research Report 792: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University Released from 1913 to 2016 NuMex Heritage Big Jim New Mexican 9,500 2008 NMSU Circular 706: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University, 1913–2022	2026-10-14
NuMex Vaquero (jalapeño pod type)	not stated in our sources	25,000–33,0002 figures	NuMex Vaquero Jalapeño 25,000–30,000 1997 NMSU Research Report 792: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University Released from 1913 to 2016 NuMex Vaquero Jalapeño 33,000 1997 NMSU Circular 706: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University, 1913–2022	2026-10-14
NuMex Piñata (jalapeño pod type)	not stated in our sources	45,000–52,0002 figures	NuMex Piñata Jalapeño 45,000–50,000 1998 NMSU Research Report 792: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University Released from 1913 to 2016 NuMex Piñata Jalapeño 52,000 1998 NMSU Circular 706: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University, 1913–2022	2026-10-14
NuMex Bailey Piquin (piquín pod type)	not stated in our sources	90,000–100,0001 figure	NuMex Bailey Piquin Piquin 90,000–100,000 1991 NMSU Research Report 792: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University Released from 1913 to 2016	2026-10-14

Range = smallest to largest figure quoted in the row. Some quotes describe a whole group (noted in italics) or print a single average. Sorting by SHU range sorts by the low end; click again to reverse.

Gaps: varieties with only one published figure

For these we found a single figure, so we don't give them a range in the table.

Trinidad Scorpion: Trinidad Scorpion (1.5 Million SHU) NMSU Chile Pepper Institute: Heat
Chocolate 7 Pot: Chocolate 7 pot (1.8 Million SHU) NMSU Chile Pepper Institute: Heat
Red 7 Pot: Red 7 Pot (780,000 SHU) NMSU Chile Pepper Institute: Heat
Chocolate Habanero: Chocolate Habanero (700,000 SHU) NMSU Chile Pepper Institute: Heat
Rocoto (C. pubescens): Rocoto (175,000 SHU) NMSU Chile Pepper Institute: Heat

We also left out figures we couldn't read cleanly, for example a source table where a number is misprinted. See the about page for our sources and method.