Carolina Reaper vs Habanero
Carolina Reaper is hotter, at about 1,641,183 SHU against 225,000 SHU for Habanero: about 7.3× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 4.7× to 22×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| Carolina Reaper | Habanero | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 1,641,183 SHU | 225,000 SHU |
| Measured range | up to 2,200,000 SHU | 100,000–350,000 SHU |
| Status | Guinness record | Lab tested |
| Species | Capsicum chinense | Capsicum chinense |
| Origin | Fort Mill / Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA | Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico (species from the Amazon basin) |
| Flavour | Fruity and sweet, with a hint of cinnamon and chocolate undertones (Guinness description) | Bright tropical sweetness under the heat |
| Colours | red | orange, red, white, brown, pink |
The Scoville maths
The Scoville scale is linear: a pepper at 2,000,000 SHU has twice the capsaicinoids of one at 1,000,000 SHU. So the ratio is a simple division, 1,641,183 ÷ 225,000 ≈ 7.3×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (4.7× to 22× across the measured ranges).
In between
14 peppers sit between Habanero and Carolina Reaper by typical heat.
- Trinidad Scorpion Butch T1,463,700 SHU
- 7 Pot Primo1,400,000 SHU
- Komodo Dragon1,400,000 SHU
- Naga Viper1,382,118 SHU
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion1,200,000 SHU
- Infinity1,176,182 SHU
- 7 Pot Brain Strain1,175,000 SHU
- 7 Pot Douglah1,170,000 SHU
About each pepper
Carolina Reaper: Bred by Ed Currie of PuckerButt Pepper Company.
Habanero: Now most closely tied to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
Questions
Which is hotter, Carolina Reaper or Habanero?
Carolina Reaper. It averages about 1,641,183 SHU against 225,000 SHU for Habanero, about 7.3× as hot.
How many times hotter is Carolina Reaper than Habanero?
About 7.3× using typical values (1,641,183 ÷ 225,000). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 4.7× to 22×.
How hot is Carolina Reaper?
Carolina Reaper: up to 2,200,000 SHU, guinness record.
How hot is Habanero?
Habanero: 100,000–350,000 SHU, lab tested.
Are Carolina Reaper and Habanero the same species?
Yes, both are Capsicum chinense.
People also compare
- Pepper X vs Carolina ReaperPepper X 1.6×
- Carolina Reaper vs Ghost PepperCarolina Reaper 1.6×
- Dragon's Breath vs Carolina ReaperDragon's Breath 1.5×
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion vs Carolina ReaperCarolina Reaper 1.4×
- Ghost Pepper vs HabaneroGhost Pepper 4.5×
- Habanero vs Scotch Bonnetabout the same
- Habanero vs SerranoHabanero 15×
- Habanero vs CayenneHabanero 5.6×
Sources
- Guinness World Records news, 19 Nov 2013: Carolina Reaper: 1,569,300 SHU average; parentage per Guinness; previous holder Butch T
- Guinness World Records (record page, archived 24 Dec 2014): Carolina Reaper: record text: average 1,569,300 SHU, Winthrop tests throughout 2012, dated 7 Aug 2013
- UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions, 'Peppers Ranked by Heat': Habanero: 100,000-350,000 SHU
- Texas AgriLife Extension (Dr. Joe Masabni), 'Jalapeno & Other Hot Peppers': Habanero: 200,000-300,000 average
Full source lists are on each pepper's page.