How Much Hotter Is Raja Mircha Than a Jalapeño?
Raja Mircha is hotter, at about 1,001,304 SHU against 5,000 SHU for Jalapeño: about 200× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 34× to 415×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| Raja Mircha | Jalapeño | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 1,001,304 SHU | 5,000 SHU |
| Measured range | 272,897–1,037,305 SHU | 2,500–8,000 SHU |
| Status | Lab tested | Lab tested |
| Species | Capsicum chinense | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Nagaland, India (GI districts: Kohima, Peren, Mon, Dimapur) | Mexico (named after Xalapa, Veracruz) |
| Flavour | Not documented | 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, 1,001,304 ÷ 5,000 ≈ 200×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (34× to 415× across the measured ranges).
In between
15 peppers sit between Jalapeño and Raja Mircha by typical heat.
- Naga Morich1,000,000 SHU
- Dalle Khursani393,950 SHU
- Fatalii262,500 SHU
- Red Savina248,556 SHU
- Habanero225,000 SHU
- Scotch Bonnet225,000 SHU
- Datil200,000 SHU
- Kanthari80,640 SHU
About each pepper
Raja Mircha: This is Nagaland's name for the same Northeast Indian landrace group as Bhut Jolokia.
Jalapeño: A Mexican C.
Questions
Which is hotter, Raja Mircha or Jalapeño?
Raja Mircha. It averages about 1,001,304 SHU against 5,000 SHU for Jalapeño, about 200× as hot.
How many times hotter is Raja Mircha than Jalapeño?
About 200× using typical values (1,001,304 ÷ 5,000). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 34× to 415×.
How hot is Raja Mircha?
Raja Mircha: 272,897–1,037,305 SHU, lab tested.
How hot is Jalapeño?
Jalapeño: 2,500–8,000 SHU, lab tested.
Are Raja Mircha and Jalapeño the same species?
No. Raja Mircha is Capsicum chinense; Jalapeño is Capsicum annuum.
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Sources
- IP India GI Registry, application 109 (Naga Mircha): Raja Mircha: GI application details, names, districts
- Spices Board India, 'List of GI Tags Registered for Spices' (as of 15/09/2026): Raja Mircha: GI list status
- 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.