Scoville Scale - List of Peppers by SHU

Pepper Variety	Average Scoville Heat Units
Sweet	0 SHU
Emerald Giant Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Organic Emerald Giant Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Giant Aconcagua Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Fushimi Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Golden Marconi Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Mama Mia Giallo F1 Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Marconi Red Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Orange King Bell Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Organic Gatherers Gold Sweet Italian Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Tangerine Dream	≈ 0 SHU
Golden Cal Wonder Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Organic Golden Calwonder Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Purple Beauty Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Organic Purple Beauty Bell Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Cheese Red Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Organic Cheese Red Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Cabernet F1 Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Red Cal Rose Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Cascadura Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Chablis F1 Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Chardonnay F1 Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Chianti F1 Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Chinese Giant Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Organic Chinese Giant Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Cubanella F1 Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Diamond Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Golden Treasure F1 Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Himo Togarashi Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Jupiter Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Organic Marconi Red Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Merlot F1 Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Miniature Chocolate Bell Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Muscato F1 Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Pinot Noir F1 Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Riesling F1 Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Rose F1 Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Sauvignon Blanc F1 Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Sweet Chocolate Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Tawny Port F1 Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Tender Bell F1 Hybrid Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
White Cloud Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
White Zinfandel F1 Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Big Bertha Hybrid Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Big Red Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Cal Wonder 300 TMR Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Petit Marseillais	≈ 0 SHU
Organic Cal Wonder Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Yellow Canary Bell Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Carmen Hybrid Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Chocolate Beauty Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Coral Bell Orange Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Chervena Chushka	≈ 0 SHU
Gypsy Hybrid Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Horizon Orange Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Keystone Resistant Giant Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Lilac Bell Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Midnight Dreams Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Antohi Romani	≈ 0 SHU
Mini Bell Red Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Mini Bell Yellow Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Sunbright Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Yolo Wonder L Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Pretty N Sweet F1 Hybrid Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Giant Marconi Hybrid Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Sweet Pickle Pepper	≈ 0 SHU
Mild	1 - 1,000 SHU
Jimmy Nardello Pepper	≈ 0-100 SHU
Organic Jimmy Nardello Pepper	≈ 0-100 SHU
Habanero Sweet Red Pepper	≈ 0-100 SHU
Habanero Sweet Yellow Pepper	≈ 0-100 SHU
Basket Sweet F1 Pepper	≈ 0-100 SHU
Manganji Pepper	≈ 0-100 SHU
Red Cherry Sweet Pepper	≈ 0-100 SHU
Cayenne Sweetness F1 Pepper	≈ 0-200 SHU
Burpee Pepper	≈ 0-200 SHU
Sweet Cayenne Pepper	≈ 0-200 SHU
Corno Di Toro - Rosso Pepper	≈ 0-500 SHU
Sweet Banana Pepper	≈ 0-500 SHU
Corno di Toro	≈ 0-500 SHU
Hungarian Yellow Wax Sweet Pepper	≈ 0-500 SHU
Cubanelle Pepper	≈ 100-500 SHU
Golden Greek Pepperoncini Pepper	≈ 100-500 SHU
Sweet Heat Pepper	≈ 100-500 SHU
Pepperoncini Italian Pepper	≈ 100-500 SHU
Pepperoncini Pickling F1 Pepper	≈ 100-500 SHU
Pimento L Pepper	≈ 100-500 SHU
Mariachi Hybrid Pepper	≈ 500-600 SHU
Santa Fe Grande Pepper	≈ 500-700 SHU
Medium	1,000 - 10,000 SHU
MexiBell Hybrid F1 Hot Pepper	≈ 100-1,000 SHU
Shishito Pepper	≈ 100-1,000 SHU
Holy Mole Hybrid Pepper	≈ 500-1,000 SHU
Biquinho Red Pepper	≈ 500-1,000 SHU
Biquinho Yellow Pepper	≈ 500-1,000 SHU
Mexican Sunrise F1 AAS Pepper	≈ 500-1,000 SHU
Tobago Seasoning Pepper	≈ 500-1,000 SHU
Japanese Sapporo Pepper	≈ 500-1,500 SHU
Korean Gochu Vita Green Hybrid Pepper	≈ 500-1,500 SHU
Korean Gochujang King Hybrid Pepper	≈ 500-1,500 SHU
Korean Wa Mae Wo Yeori Gochu Hybrid Pepper	≈ 500-1,500 SHU
Mulato Isleno Pepper	≈ 1,000-1,500 SHU
Georgia Flame	≈ 1,000-1,500 SHU
Poblano Ancho Pepper	≈ 1,000-1,500 SHU
Organic Poblano Pepper	≈ 1,000-1,500 SHU
Ancho Sanchez F1 Pepper	≈ 1,000-2,000 SHU
Poblano Ancho Grande Pepper	≈ 1,000-2,000 SHU
Organic Ancho Grande Pepper	≈ 1,000-2,000 SHU
Ancho Ranchero F1 Pepper	≈ 1,000-2,000 SHU
Anaheim Chili Pepper	≈ 500-2,500 SHU
Cayenne Espana F1 Pepper	≈ 1,000-2,000 SHU
Organic Anaheim Chili Pepper	≈ 500-2,500 SHU
NuMex Joe E Parker Pepper	≈ 500-2,500 SHU
Organic Joe E Parker Pepper	≈ 500-2,500 SHU
Padron Pepper	≈ 500-2,500 SHU
Pasilla Bajio Pepper	≈ 1,000-2,500 SHU
NuMex College 64L Pepper	≈ 1,000-2,500 SHU
Fushimi Pepper	≈ 1,000-2,500 SHU
Chinese Dragon Tongue	≈ 1,500-2,500 SHU
Black Hungarian Pepper	≈ 1,500-2,500 SHU
Organic Black Hungarian Pepper	≈ 1,500-2,500 SHU
Rocotillo Pepper	≈ 1,500-2,500 SHU
Enchantment F1 Pepper	≈ 1,000-3,000 SHU
Organic Alma Paprika Pepper	≈ 2,000-3,000 SHU
Big Jim Pepper	≈ 2,000-3,000 SHU
Basque Pepper	≈ 400-4,000 SHU
Cascabella Pepper	≈ 1,500-4,000 SHU
Ornamental Chilly Chili Pepper	≈ 500-5,000 SHU
Garden Salsa Hybrid Pepper	≈ 1,000-5,000 SHU
Caloro Pepper	≈ 1,000-5,000 SHU
Rio Grande Chili	≈ 1,000-5,000 SHU
Geronimo F1 Pepper	≈ 1,000-5,000 SHU
Tunisian Baklouti Pepper	≈ 1,000-5,000 SHU
Korean Green Chili	≈ 1,500-5,000 SHU
Large Red Cherry Hot Pepper	≈ 2,500-5,000 SHU
Basket Hot F1 Pepper	≈ 2,500-5,000 SHU
Cowhorn Hot Pepper	≈ 2,500-5,000 SHU
Purple Tiger Pepper	≈ 2,500-5,000 SHU
Rio Grande Hot Pepper	≈ 2,500-5,000 SHU
Guajilla Chile	≈ 2,500-5,000 SHU
Organic Pimiento de Padron Pepper	≈ 2,500-5,000 SHU
Sandoval F1 Pepper	≈ 4,500-5,000 SHU
Mini Hot Cherry F1 Pepper	≈ 4,000-6,000 SHU
Ornamental Patio Fire n Ice Pepper	≈ 4,000-6,000 SHU
NuMex Sandia Pepper	≈ 5,000-7,000 SHU
Korean Beauty Cucumber Hybrid Pepper	≈ 1,500-8,000 SHU
Jalapeno M Pepper	≈ 2,500-8,000 SHU
TAM Jalapeno Pepper	≈ 2,500-8,000 SHU
Jalapeno Purples Pepper	≈ 2,500-8,000 SHU
Early Jalapeno Pepper	≈ 2,500-8,000 SHU
Organic Jalapeno Pepper	≈ 2,500-8,000 SHU
Sweet Jalapeno Pepper	≈ 4,000-8,000 SHU
Fresno Chili Pepper	≈ 2,500-10,000 SHU
Pichit Pepper	≈ 5,000-10,000 SHU
Cochise F1 Pepper	≈ 7,500-10,000 SHU
Mexican Sunset F1 AAS Pepper	≈ 8,000-10,000 SHU
Hot	10,000 - 100,000 SHU
Hungarian Yellow Wax Hot Pepper	≈ 5,000-15,000 SHU
Organic Hungarian Hot Wax Pepper	≈ 5,000-15,000 SHU
Pure Capsiate	≈ 16,000 SHU
Small Red Chili Pepper	≈ 5,000-20,000 SHU
Pueblo Pepper	≈ 5,000-20,000 SHU
Serrano Tampiqueno Pepper	≈ 6,000-23,000 SHU
Jaloro Pepper	≈ 20,000-25,000 SHU
Giant Ristra F1 Pepper	≈ 5,000-30,000 SHU
Bulgarian Carrot Pepper	≈ 5,000-30,000 SHU
Dancing Spirits F1 Pepper	≈ 5,000-30,000 SHU
Bishop's Crown	≈ 5,000-30,000 SHU
Fish Pepper	≈ 5,000-30,000 SHU
Ornamental Fish Pepper	≈ 5,000-30,000 SHU
Ornamental Royal Black Pepper	≈ 5,000-30,000 SHU
Ornamental Black Pearl Pepper	≈ 10,000-30,000 SHU
Japanese Takanotsume Pepper	≈ 10,000-30,000 SHU
Manzano Pepper	≈ 12,000-30,000 SHU
Chili De Arbol	≈ 15,000-30,000 SHU
Chile De Arbol Pepper	≈ 15,000-30,000 SHU
Limòn Pepper	≈ 15,000-30,000 SHU
Jwala Pepper	≈ 20,000-30,000 SHU
Ornamental Little Elf Pepper	≈ 20,000-30,000 SHU
Red Mushroom Pepper	≈ 25,000-35,000 SHU
Ristra Cayenne F1 Pepper	≈ 25,000-35,000 SHU
Calabrian Chili	≈ 25,000-40,000 SHU
Fire Cracker Pepper	≈ 30,000-40,000 SHU
Thai Prik Mun Pepper	≈ 20,000-50,000 SHU
Long Slim Cayenne Pepper	≈ 30,000-50,000 SHU
Thick Cayenne Pepper	≈ 30,000-50,000 SHU
Tabasco Pepper	≈ 30,000-50,000 SHU
Golden Cayenne Pepper	≈ 30,000-50,000 SHU
Organic Long Red Thin Cayenne Pepper	≈ 30,000-50,000 SHU
Orange Cayenne Pepper	≈ 30,000-50,000 SHU
Purple Cayenne Pepper	≈ 30,000-50,000 SHU
Fuego Trail F1 Pepper	≈ 30,000-50,000 SHU
NuMex Twilight Pepper	≈ 30,000-50,000 SHU
Ornamental Autumn Time Pepper	≈ 30,000-50,000 SHU
Ornamental Twilight Creeper Pepper	≈ 30,000-50,000 SHU
Maules Red Hot	≈ 30,000-50,000 SHU
Hot Portugal	≈ 30,000-50,000 SHU
Aji Chili	≈ 40,000-50,000 SHU
Santaka Pepper	≈ 40,000-50,000 SHU
Satan's Kiss	≈ 40,000-50,000 SHU
Super Chili Pepper	≈ 40,000-50,000 SHU
Japanese Santaka Pepper	≈ 40,000-50,000 SHU
Cuban Chili	≈ 40,000-50,000 SHU
Ornamental Black Olive AAS Pepper	≈ 40,000-50,000 SHU
Fresh Ginger	≈ 60,000
Ornamental Fireworks Pepper	≈ 30,000-70,000 SHU
Japanese Yatsufusa Pepper	≈ 40,000-75,000 SHU
Pequin Pepper	≈ 50,000-70,000 SHU
Patio Fire Chili	≈ 70,000-80,000 SHU
Thai Scorpion F1 Pepper	≈ 75,000-85,000 SHU
Chiltepin Pepper	≈ 50,000-100,000 SHU
Thai Hot Pepper	≈ 50,000-100,000 SHU
Birdseye Chili Pepper	≈ 50,000-100,000 SHU
Thai Bird Pepper	≈ 50,000-100,000 SHU
Thai Garden Bird Pepper	≈ 50,000-100,000 SHU
Thai Dragon Pepper	≈ 50,000-100,000 SHU
Birds Eye	≈ 50,000-100,000 SHU
Charleston Hot	≈ 70,000-100,000 SHU
Very Hot	100,000 - 1,000,000 SHU
Black Peppercorn/Malagueta	≈ 100,000
Dried or Cooked Ginger	≈ 160,000
African Devil	≈ 50,000-175,000 SHU
Jamaican Red Pepper	≈ 100,000-200,000 SHU
Orange Scotch Bonnet Pepper	≈ 100,000-200,000 SHU
Yellow Mushroom Pepper	≈ 100,000-200,000 SHU
Red Cheese Pepper	≈ 100,000-300,000 SHU
Fatalii	≈ 125,000-325,000 SHU
Orange Habanero Pepper	≈ 100,000-350,000 SHU
Organic Orange Habanero Pepper	≈ 100,000-350,000 SHU
Mayan Red Habanero Pepper	≈ 100,000-350,000 SHU
Mayan Yellow Habanero Pepper	≈ 100,000-350,000 SHU
Caribbean Red Habanero Pepper	≈ 100,000-350,000 SHU
Organic Caribbean Red Habanero Pepper	≈ 100,000-350,000 SHU
White Habanero Pepper	≈ 100,000-350,000 SHU
Hot Portugal Pepper	≈ 100,000-350,000 SHU
Jamaican Yellow Pepper	≈ 100,000-350,000 SHU
Red Scotch Bonnet Pepper	≈ 100,000-350,000 SHU
Small Yellow Cherry Pepper	≈ 100,000-350,000 SHU
Yellow Scotch Bonnet Pepper	≈ 100,000-350,000 SHU
Orange Cienfuegos F1 Pepper	≈ 300,000-400,000 SHU
Red Cienfuegos F1 Pepper	≈ 300,000-400,000 SHU
Habanero Lemon Pepper	≈ 400,000-500,000 SHU
Caribbean Yellow Habanero Pepper	≈ 400,000-500,000 SHU
Chocolate Habanero Pepper	≈ 435,000-577,000 SHU
HabaNaga Pepper	≈ 500,000-800,000 SHU
NagaBon Pepper	≈ 750,000-800,000 SHU
Wicked Ghost F1 Pepper	≈ 700,000-900,000 SHU
Raja Mirchi	≈ 800,000-900,000 SHU
Hottest Peppers on Earth	>1,000,000 SHU
Bhut Jolokia Ghost Pepper	≈ 855,000-1,041,000 SHU
New Mexico Scorpion	≈ 1,000,000-1,190,000 SHU
Naga Viper	≈ 900,000-1,400,000 SHU
Scorpion Butch T	≈ 1,000,000-1,465,000 SHU
Dorset Naga	≈ 1,000,000-1,600,000 SHU
Chocolate Bhutlah	≈ 1,400,000-2,000,000 SHU
Common Pepper Spray	≈ 2,000,000
Moruga Scorpion	≈ 1,200,000-2,010,000 SHU
Carolina Reaper	≈ 1,600,000-2,200,000 SHU
Dragon's Breath	≈ 2,480,000 SHU (unofficial)
Pepper X	≈ 3,180,000 SHU (unofficial)
Even Spicier Chemicals	>5,000,000 SHU
Police Grade Pepper Spray	≈ 5,300,000
Pure Homocapsaicin	≈ 8,600,000 SHU
Pure Nordihydrocapsaicin	≈ 9,100,000 SHU
These Will Probably Kill You	> 5,000,000,000 SHU
Tinyatoxin	≈ 5,300,000,000 SHU
Resiniferatoxin	≈ 16,000,000,000 SHU
Resin Spurge (Cactus)	≈ 16,000,000,000 SHU

What is The Scoville Heat Scale?

The Scoville Scale is used to measure the amount of Capsaicinoid compounds contained in peppers, which is the chemical that gives peppers their characteristic "spiciness." This measurement can vary greatly even for the exact same type of pepper, so Scoville Heat Units (SHU) are generally measured as an approximate heat range that a pepper falls into.

True Leaf Market proudly sells some of the most diverse and exotic varieties of Heirloom and Non-GMO Pepper Seeds from sugary sweet to unrelentingly hot! Let us help you figure out where some of your favorite peppers rank amongst the hottest peppers in the world.

How is Scoville Measured?

Until recently, the SHU of a given pepper was still measured using highly subjective organoloptic tests, meaning that peppers are tested via the 5 senses including taste and touch. Scientists understood the flaws in measuring capsaicin levels using taste and touch and development a more scientifically approach by using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

HPLC is a fairly complex process, one which can be used to measure many things beyond the Scoville Scale such as testing pungency in horseradish, onion, garlic, and other "spicy" fruits and vegetables that do not necessarily have any capsaicin.

Since 2011, the measuring of Scoville Heat Units has been almost universally replaced by the improved HPLC method, which allows for scientists to test the levels for potentially fatal amounts of capsaicin in things other than peppers.

What is Capsaicin?

Peppers in the Capsicum genus are the only plants that contain Capsaicinoids. However there are a few other plants that contain similar acting spicy compounds, and therefore their potency can be measured with varying degrees of accuracy using the Scoville Scale or other HPLC based measurements.

Members of the Zingiberaceae family like Ginger, Black Pepper, and Cardamom do not contain any capsaicin, however they contain similar acting spicy compounds like Shagaol, Gingerine and Piperine. These compounds can be measured with relative success using the Scoville Scale.

Euphorbia poissonii or The Resin Spurge Cactus has two extremely potent capsaicin-like compounds called Resiniferatoxin and Tinyatoxin. As the names imply these chemicals are so incredibly spicy that they're actually considered toxins and can be fatal or at least the potential to seriously harm if ingested. Like the Ginger Family, the heat level of this species can be measured with fair accuracy using the Scoville Scale even though it contains no capsaicinoids.

Members of the Brassica family like Horseradish, Arugula, Wasabi, Radishes, and Mustards contain a compound that causes that short lived and aromatic burning sensation in the mouth and nose called Allyl Isothiocyanate or Mustard Oil. The burning sensation caused by this chemical is too different from the longer lasting tongue burn caused by capsaicinoids to accurately measure them using the Scoville Scale, Allyl Isothiocyanate are measured using another reversed-phase HPLC method.

Onions, Leeks, Garlic, and Shallots can contain pungent and volatile chemicals like Allicin and syn-Propanethial-S-oxide that can cause a burning sensation in your mouth when eaten or eyes when cutting. While their heat also cannot be measured using the Scoville Scale they actually have their own HPLC based potency scale called the Pyruvate Scale.

Finally there are variety of kitchen spices and herbs that can have another type of spicy, "icy hot", astringent or even mild numbing effect. These include the type of herbs and spices that you're likely to see in sugar free gum or Indian cuisine like Cinnamon, Cloves, Mint, Peppermint, Nutmeg, Bay Leaves, Betel Leaves and Turmeric. The heat potency of these herbs is also typically measured by using the HPLC method to figure out the amount of chemicals like Eugenol or Menthol which are believed to be the main active heat causing compound for plants like these. Measuing potency that way isn't perfect as there's often a variety of additional compounds contianed within these plants that work togeth to create a "spicy" effect, but it can still give a good idea in terms of potency.

Hottest Pepper in the World

Currently, the official hottest pepper in the world is the Carolina Reaper which ranges at 1,200,000-2,010,000 SHU. The breeder of the notorious Carolina Reaper, Ed Currie, is currently breeding a new strain of the Carolina Reaper called "Pepper X" which has unofficially tested at an unimaginable 3,180,000 SHU, nearly twice that of a regular Carolina Reaper. A Welsh breeder named Mike Smith recently came to fame with his Dragon's Breath pepper which tested at an blistering 2,480,000 SHU.