Pepper X vs Carolina Reaper
Pepper X is hotter, at about 2,693,000 SHU against 1,641,183 SHU for Carolina Reaper: about 1.6× 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
| Pepper X | Carolina Reaper | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 2,693,000 SHU | 1,641,183 SHU |
| Measured range | 2,693,000 SHU | up to 2,200,000 SHU |
| Status | Guinness record | Guinness record |
| Species | Capsicum chinense | Capsicum chinense |
| Origin | Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA | Fort Mill / Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA |
| Flavour | Not documented | Fruity and sweet, with a hint of cinnamon and chocolate undertones (Guinness description) |
| Colours | Not documented | 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, 2,693,000 ÷ 1,641,183 ≈ 1.6×. 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
1 pepper sits between Carolina Reaper and Pepper X by typical heat.
- Dragon's Breath2,480,000 SHU
About each pepper
Pepper X: Bred by Ed Currie (PuckerButt Pepper Company), who also bred the Carolina Reaper.
Carolina Reaper: Bred by Ed Currie of PuckerButt Pepper Company.
Questions
Which is hotter, Pepper X or Carolina Reaper?
Pepper X. It averages about 2,693,000 SHU against 1,641,183 SHU for Carolina Reaper, about 1.6× as hot.
How many times hotter is Pepper X than Carolina Reaper?
About 1.6× using typical values (2,693,000 ÷ 1,641,183). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 1.2× to 1.6×.
How hot is Pepper X?
Pepper X: 2,693,000 SHU, guinness record.
How hot is Carolina Reaper?
Carolina Reaper: up to 2,200,000 SHU, guinness record.
Are Pepper X and Carolina Reaper the same species?
Yes, both are Capsicum chinense.
People also compare
- Carolina Reaper vs Ghost PepperCarolina Reaper 1.6×
- Pepper X vs Ghost PepperPepper X 2.7×
- Dragon's Breath vs Carolina ReaperDragon's Breath 1.5×
- Apollo vs Pepper Xno lab test
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion vs Carolina ReaperCarolina Reaper 1.4×
- Carolina Reaper vs HabaneroCarolina Reaper 7.3×
- Naga Viper vs Carolina ReaperCarolina Reaper 1.2×
- 7 Pot Douglah vs Carolina ReaperCarolina Reaper 1.4×
Sources
- Guinness World Records (record page, archived 19 Sep 2024): Pepper X: SHU average, tester, test date, origin, jalapeno comparison
- Guinness World Records news, 16 Oct 2023: Pepper X: announcement date; specimens from the past four years tested at Winthrop
- 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.