Naga Viper vs Carolina Reaper
Carolina Reaper is hotter, at about 1,641,183 SHU against 1,382,118 SHU for Naga Viper: about 1.2× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 1.2× to 1.6×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| Naga Viper | Carolina Reaper | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 1,382,118 SHU | 1,641,183 SHU |
| Measured range | 1,382,118 SHU | up to 2,200,000 SHU |
| Status | Guinness record | Guinness record |
| Species | Capsicum chinense (claimed three-way hybrid) | Capsicum chinense |
| Origin | Cark, Cumbria, England | Fort Mill / Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA |
| Flavour | Not documented | Fruity and sweet, with a hint of cinnamon and chocolate undertones (Guinness description) |
| Colours | 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, 1,641,183 ÷ 1,382,118 ≈ 1.2×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (1.2× to 1.6× across the measured ranges).
In between
3 peppers sit between Naga Viper and Carolina Reaper by typical heat.
- Trinidad Scorpion Butch T1,463,700 SHU
- 7 Pot Primo1,400,000 SHU
- Komodo Dragon1,400,000 SHU
About each pepper
Naga Viper: Created by chilli farmer Gerald Fowler of The Chilli Pepper Company.
Carolina Reaper: Bred by Ed Currie of PuckerButt Pepper Company.
Questions
Which is hotter, Naga Viper or Carolina Reaper?
Carolina Reaper. It averages about 1,641,183 SHU against 1,382,118 SHU for Naga Viper, about 1.2× as hot.
How many times hotter is Carolina Reaper than Naga Viper?
About 1.2× using typical values (1,641,183 ÷ 1,382,118). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 1.2× to 1.6×.
How hot is Naga Viper?
Naga Viper: 1,382,118 SHU, guinness record.
How hot is Carolina Reaper?
Carolina Reaper: up to 2,200,000 SHU, guinness record.
Are Naga Viper and Carolina Reaper the same species?
No. Naga Viper is Capsicum chinense (claimed three-way hybrid); Carolina Reaper is 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×
- Carolina Reaper vs HabaneroCarolina Reaper 7.3×
- 7 Pot Douglah vs Carolina ReaperCarolina Reaper 1.4×
- 7 Pot Primo vs Carolina ReaperCarolina Reaper 1.2×
- Trinidad Scorpion Butch T vs Carolina ReaperCarolina Reaper 1.1×
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
Full source lists are on each pepper's page.