Peppers laying on a cutting board with signs indicating heat level.

Pepper Heat Scale Explained: Scoville Chart From Bell to Reaper

Do you know how hot an Aji Amarillo or Chile de Árbol really is? Or how peppers like the Ghost Pepper and Carolina Reaper compare on the heat scale?

Pepper heat is measured using the Scoville Scale, a system that ranks chili peppers based on their capsaicin content, the compound responsible for that fiery burn.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

    • What the Scoville Scale is

    • How Scoville Heat Units (SHUs) are measured

    • The world’s hottest peppers ranked

    • A practical pepper heat chart you can use while growing or cooking

What Is the Scoville Scale?

The Scoville Scale is a system used to measure the heat and pungency of chili peppers. It ranks peppers based on their capsaicin content, the natural chemical compound responsible for the burning sensation we feel when eating spicy foods.

The scale was developed in 1912 by Wilbur Scoville, a pharmacist who created the original Scoville Organoleptic Test. His goal was to give peppers a standardized heat rating so people could better understand and compare their spiciness.

Today, the Scoville Scale remains the most widely recognized way to describe pepper heat, from sweet bell peppers all the way to record-breaking super-hot varieties.

How Scoville Heat Units (SHUs) Are Measured

Scoville Heat Units (SHUs) represent the concentration of capsaicin found in a pepper. The higher the SHU, the hotter the pepper.

Original Scoville Method (Historical Context)

Originally, peppers were dried, dissolved in alcohol, and then diluted with sugar water. A panel of taste testers would sample the solution repeatedly until the heat was no longer detectable.

The number of dilutions required determined the pepper’s SHU rating.

Modern Measurement Method

Today, pepper heat is measured using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). This scientific process accurately identifies and quantifies capsaicinoids in peppers and converts the result into Scoville Heat Units.

Because growing conditions, climate, soil health, and maturity all affect capsaicin levels, most peppers are listed with a heat range rather than a single number.

For all of you science nerds out there, here is a blog going into more detail on both Scoville measurement methods and how they work!

Worlds Hottest Pepper Seed Collection

The World’s Hottest Peppers Ranked

Pepper heat records continue to evolve as growers develop new hybrids and submit them for official testing.

Current World Record Holder

As of 2023, Pepper X holds the Guinness World Record for the hottest pepper in the world, with a measured heat level of 2,693,000 Scoville Heat Units.

Other Legendary Super-Hot Peppers

Some of the most infamous peppers ever grown include:

    • Carolina Reaper – 2,000,000–2,200,000 SHU

    • Trinidad Moruga Scorpion – Up to 2,000,000 SHU

    • Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) – 855,000–1,463,000 SHU

    • Dorset Naga – Up to 1,500,000+ SHU

Note: Some peppers such as Dragon’s Breath and Apollo have reported extreme heat levels, but they have not been officially verified through Guinness World Records.

Practical Pepper Heat Chart (For Growing & Cooking)

Use the chart below as a practical reference when selecting peppers to grow, cook with, or experiment in recipes. This heat scale ranges from mild, everyday peppers to extreme super-hots and extracts.

Scoville Heat Units (SHU) Pepper Varieties Heat Category
0–100 Sweet Bell, Sweet Banana, Pimento Mild
100–1,000 Pepperoncini, Paprika Mild
1,000–2,500 Anaheim, Ancho Poblano Mild
2,500–5,000 Jalapeño, Chipotle Mild
5,000–15,000 Serrano, Yellow Wax Mild–Medium
15,000–30,000 Chile de Árbol, Manzano Medium
30,000–50,000 Cayenne, Aji Amarillo Medium
50,000–100,000 Thai Chili, Chiltepín Medium–Hot
100,000–350,000 Habanero, Scotch Bonnet Hot
350,000–855,000 Red Savina Habanero Hot
855,000–1,463,000 Ghost Pepper Super Hot
1,500,000–2,200,000 Carolina Reaper Super Hot
2,693,000 Pepper X Super Hot

How to Use This Chart

    • Gardeners can select peppers that match their heat tolerance and growing goals

    • Cooks can avoid overpowering dishes with peppers that are hotter than expected

    • First-time super-hot growers can understand the heat jump between varieties

Ready to Put the Scoville Scale to the Test?

Understanding the Scoville Scale makes choosing peppers a whole lot easier, but experiencing that heat firsthand is a different story altogether. Whether you’re growing mild peppers for fresh salsa or pushing your limits with super-hots, knowing where each pepper falls on the heat scale helps you grow, cook, and handle them with confidence.

If you’re curious just how intense a Ghost Pepper really is, we put the Scoville Scale to the test ourselves. Watch as two of our team members take on the infamous Ghost Pepper and experience its fiery heat in real time. Fair warning: this one’s not for the faint of heart 

🎥 Watch: Pepper Joe’s Team Eats a Ghost Pepper

Feeling inspired (or brave)? Explore our full selection of pepper seeds, from sweet and mild varieties to some of the hottest peppers on the planet and start growing peppers that match your heat tolerance and taste. Each of the items include the SHU so you know exactly what you are getting!

Have questions about pepper heat, growing tips, or choosing the right variety? Check out our growing resources.


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