How Much Hotter Is Serrano Than a Jalapeño?
Serrano is hotter, at about 15,000 SHU against 5,000 SHU for Jalapeño: about 3× as hot, using typical values. Across the measured ranges the gap runs from 0.6× to 10×.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Side by side
| Serrano | Jalapeño | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat | 15,000 SHU | 5,000 SHU |
| Measured range | 5,000–25,000 SHU | 2,500–8,000 SHU |
| Status | Lab tested | Lab tested |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Mexico (mountains of Puebla and Hidalgo) | Mexico (named after Xalapa, Veracruz) |
| Flavour | Bright, crisp, green | Grassy, green-vegetal when unripe |
| Colours | green, 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, 15,000 ÷ 5,000 ≈ 3×. Real pods vary, so the gap between any two fruits can be smaller or larger (0.6× to 10× across the measured ranges).
In between
1 pepper sits between Jalapeño and Serrano by typical heat.
- Byadgi Chilli10,000 SHU
About each pepper
Questions
Which is hotter, Serrano or Jalapeño?
Serrano. It averages about 15,000 SHU against 5,000 SHU for Jalapeño, about 3× as hot.
How many times hotter is Serrano than Jalapeño?
About 3× using typical values (15,000 ÷ 5,000). Comparing the extremes of each measured range gives anywhere from 0.6× to 10×.
How hot is Serrano?
Serrano: 5,000–25,000 SHU, lab tested.
How hot is Jalapeño?
Jalapeño: 2,500–8,000 SHU, lab tested.
Are Serrano and Jalapeño the same species?
Yes, both are Capsicum annuum.
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Sources
- Texas AgriLife Extension (Dr. Joe Masabni), 'Jalapeno & Other Hot Peppers': Serrano: 7,000-25,000
- NDSU Extension FN584 'From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!': Serrano: 5,000-15,000
- 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.