Cayenne vs Bird's Eye Chilli
Bird's Eye Chilli is hotter, at about 75,000 SHU against 40,000 SHU for Cayenne: about 1.9× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 1× to 4×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| Cayenne | Bird's Eye Chilli | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 40,000 SHU | 75,000 SHU |
| Measured range | 25,000–50,000 SHU | 50,000–100,000 SHU |
| Status | Lab tested | Lab tested |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum (often confused with C. frutescens bird chillies) |
| Origin | Named after Cayenne, French Guiana | Southeast Asia (species from the Americas) |
| Flavour | Sharp, clean heat | Fruity, lightly earthy |
| Colours | red | red, green |
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, 75,000 ÷ 40,000 ≈ 1.9×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (1× to 4× across the measured ranges).
About each pepper
Cayenne: It shares its name with Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana.
Bird's Eye Chilli: Like all chillies it originated in the Americas.
Questions
Which is hotter, Cayenne or Bird's Eye Chilli?
Bird's Eye Chilli. It averages about 75,000 SHU against 40,000 SHU for Cayenne, about 1.9× as hot.
How many times hotter is Bird's Eye Chilli than Cayenne?
About 1.9× using typical values (75,000 ÷ 40,000). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 1× to 4×.
How hot is Cayenne?
Cayenne: 25,000–50,000 SHU, lab tested.
How hot is Bird's Eye Chilli?
Bird's Eye Chilli: 50,000–100,000 SHU, lab tested.
Are Cayenne and Bird's Eye Chilli the same species?
No. Cayenne is Capsicum annuum; Bird's Eye Chilli is Capsicum annuum (often confused with C. frutescens bird chillies).
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- Tabasco vs Cayenneabout the same
- Kanthari vs Bird's Eye Chilliabout the same
- Kashmiri Chilli vs CayenneCayenne 1.9×
- Guntur Chilli vs CayenneCayenne 1.1×
Sources
- NDSU Extension FN584 'From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!': Cayenne: 30,000-50,000
- UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions, 'Peppers Ranked by Heat': Cayenne: 25,000-50,000
- NDSU Extension FN584 'From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!': Bird's Eye Chilli: 50,000-100,000
- UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions, 'Peppers Ranked by Heat': Bird's Eye Chilli: 50,000-100,000
Full source lists are on each pepper's page.