Kashmiri Chilli vs Cayenne
Cayenne is hotter, at about 40,000 SHU against 20,800 SHU for Kashmiri Chilli: about 1.9× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 0.5× to 2.4×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| Kashmiri Chilli | Cayenne | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 20,800 SHU | 40,000 SHU |
| Measured range | 20,800–52,000 SHU | 25,000–50,000 SHU |
| Status | Lab tested | Lab tested |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, India; also sub-tropical North India in winter | Named after Cayenne, French Guiana |
| Flavour | Mild-tasting, colour-forward | Sharp, clean heat |
| Colours | deep red | red |
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, 40,000 ÷ 20,800 ≈ 1.9×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (0.5× to 2.4× across the measured ranges).
In between
1 pepper sits between Kashmiri Chilli and Cayenne by typical heat.
- Guntur Chilli36,160 SHU
About each pepper
Kashmiri Chilli: Prized for deep red colour rather than heat.
Cayenne: It shares its name with Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana.
Questions
Which is hotter, Kashmiri Chilli or Cayenne?
Cayenne. It averages about 40,000 SHU against 20,800 SHU for Kashmiri Chilli, about 1.9× as hot.
How many times hotter is Cayenne than Kashmiri Chilli?
About 1.9× using typical values (40,000 ÷ 20,800). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 0.5× to 2.4×.
How hot is Kashmiri Chilli?
Kashmiri Chilli: 20,800–52,000 SHU, lab tested.
How hot is Cayenne?
Cayenne: 25,000–50,000 SHU, lab tested.
Are Kashmiri Chilli and Cayenne the same species?
Yes, both are Capsicum annuum.
People also compare
- Habanero vs CayenneHabanero 5.6×
- Serrano vs CayenneCayenne 2.7×
- Cayenne vs Bird's Eye ChilliBird's Eye Chilli 1.9×
- Tabasco vs Cayenneabout the same
- Byadgi Chilli vs Kashmiri ChilliKashmiri Chilli 2.1×
- Kashmiri Chilli vs Guntur ChilliGuntur Chilli 1.7×
- Guntur Chilli vs CayenneCayenne 1.1×
- Cayenne vs JalapeñoCayenne 8×
Sources
- Spices Board India, Chilli spice catalogue (archived 8 Jun 2026): Kashmiri Chilli: growing regions, ASTA 54.10, capsaicin 0.325%
- Krishnamurthy et al., J. Sci. Ind. Res. 58(8):629-630 (1999), CSIR-NISCAIR: Kashmiri Chilli: capsaicin 0.13% (HPLC)
- 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
Full source lists are on each pepper's page.