How Much Hotter Is Komodo Dragon Than a Jalapeño?
Komodo Dragon is hotter, at about 1,400,000 SHU against 5,000 SHU for Jalapeño: about 280× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 175× to 560×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| Komodo Dragon | Jalapeño | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 1,400,000 SHU | 5,000 SHU |
| Measured range | up to 1,400,000 SHU | 2,500–8,000 SHU |
| Status | Breeder claim | Lab tested |
| Species | Capsicum chinense | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Blunham, Bedfordshire, UK | Mexico (named after Xalapa, Veracruz) |
| Flavour | Fruity | Grassy, green-vegetal when unripe |
| Colours | red | green, red (ripe) |
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, 1,400,000 ÷ 5,000 ≈ 280×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (175× to 560× across the measured ranges).
In between
22 peppers sit between Jalapeño and Komodo Dragon by typical heat.
- 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
- Dorset Naga1,032,310 SHU
- Ghost Pepper1,001,304 SHU
- Naga Morich1,000,000 SHU
About each pepper
Komodo Dragon: Grown for Tesco by Salvatore Genovese, the UK's largest chilli grower.
Jalapeño: A Mexican C.
Questions
Which is hotter, Komodo Dragon or Jalapeño?
Komodo Dragon. It averages about 1,400,000 SHU against 5,000 SHU for Jalapeño, about 280× as hot.
How many times hotter is Komodo Dragon than Jalapeño?
About 280× using typical values (1,400,000 ÷ 5,000). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 175× to 560×.
How hot is Komodo Dragon?
Komodo Dragon: up to 1,400,000 SHU, breeder claim.
How hot is Jalapeño?
Jalapeño: 2,500–8,000 SHU, lab tested.
Are Komodo Dragon and Jalapeño the same species?
No. Komodo Dragon is Capsicum chinense; Jalapeño is Capsicum annuum.
People also compare
- Komodo Dragon vs Carolina ReaperCarolina Reaper 1.2×
- Pepper X vs JalapeñoPepper X 539×
- Carolina Reaper vs JalapeñoCarolina Reaper 328×
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion vs JalapeñoTrinidad Moruga Scorpion 240×
- 7 Pot Douglah vs Jalapeño7 Pot Douglah 234×
- 7 Pot Primo vs Jalapeño7 Pot Primo 280×
- Trinidad Scorpion Butch T vs JalapeñoTrinidad Scorpion Butch T 293×
- Naga Viper vs JalapeñoNaga Viper 276×
Sources
- Texas AgriLife Extension (Dr. Joe Masabni), 'Jalapeno & Other Hot Peppers': Jalapeño: 3,500-4,500 average
- NDSU Extension FN584 'From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!': Jalapeño: 2,500-5,000
Full source lists are on each pepper's page.