Ghost Pepper vs Habanero
Ghost Pepper is hotter, at about 1,001,304 SHU against 225,000 SHU for Habanero: about 4.5× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 2.4× to 10×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| Ghost Pepper | Habanero | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 1,001,304 SHU | 225,000 SHU |
| Measured range | 855,000–1,041,427 SHU | 100,000–350,000 SHU |
| Status | Lab tested | Lab tested |
| Species | Capsicum chinense (with RAPD evidence of introgression from C. frutescens) | Capsicum chinense |
| Origin | Northeast India: Assam, Nagaland and Manipur (also Meghalaya, Mizoram and the Sylhet region of Bangladesh) | Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico (species from the Amazon basin) |
| Flavour | Not documented | Bright tropical sweetness under the heat |
| Colours | red (ripe), green (unripe) | 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, 1,001,304 ÷ 225,000 ≈ 4.5×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (2.4× to 10× across the measured ranges).
In between
4 peppers sit between Habanero and Ghost Pepper by typical heat.
- Naga Morich1,000,000 SHU
- Dalle Khursani393,950 SHU
- Fatalii262,500 SHU
- Red Savina248,556 SHU
About each pepper
Ghost Pepper: A traditional landrace of Northeast India.
Habanero: Now most closely tied to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
Questions
Which is hotter, Ghost Pepper or Habanero?
Ghost Pepper. It averages about 1,001,304 SHU against 225,000 SHU for Habanero, about 4.5× as hot.
How many times hotter is Ghost Pepper than Habanero?
About 4.5× using typical values (1,001,304 ÷ 225,000). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 2.4× to 10×.
How hot is Ghost Pepper?
Ghost Pepper: 855,000–1,041,427 SHU, lab tested.
How hot is Habanero?
Habanero: 100,000–350,000 SHU, lab tested.
Are Ghost Pepper and Habanero the same species?
No. Ghost Pepper is Capsicum chinense (with RAPD evidence of introgression from C. frutescens); Habanero is Capsicum chinense.
People also compare
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- Carolina Reaper vs HabaneroCarolina Reaper 7.3×
- Habanero vs Scotch Bonnetabout the same
- Habanero vs SerranoHabanero 15×
- Habanero vs CayenneHabanero 5.6×
- Habanero vs Bird's Eye ChilliHabanero 3×
Sources
- Bosland & Baral, HortScience 42(2):222-224 (2007), New Mexico State University: Ghost Pepper: 1,001,304 SHU; method; independent lab values; seed provenance; species; names
- NMSU News Center, 13 Feb 2012 (Chile Pepper Institute study by Bosland, Coon, Reeves): Ghost Pepper: Guinness certification in 2007; 2012 mean of almost 1.02M
- 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.