Serrano Scoville Heat
Serrano measures 5,000–25,000 SHU, with a typical figure of 15,000 SHU: about 3× a typical jalapeño. It ranks #20 among verified peppers.
Also called Chile serrano. Capsicum annuum.
Data checked October 20, 2026 · How we rank and verify
Where the number comes from
NDSU gives 5,000-15,000, UF/IFAS 10,000-25,000 and Texas A&M an average of 7,000-25,000. Our typical figure is the midpoint of the combined range. The etymology is common knowledge and was not separately sourced.
Origin
Mexico (mountains of Puebla and Hidalgo). 'Serrano' means 'from the mountains' (sierras) in Spanish.
Flavour and looks
Bright, crisp, green.
Colours: green, red.
Facts
- Texas A&M extension puts the average serrano at 7,000-25,000 SHU, several times a jalapeno. [1]
Hotter and milder
- Guntur Chilli36,160 SHU · 2.4× hotter
- Kashmiri Chilli20,800 SHU · 1.4× hotter
- Byadgi Chilli10,000 SHU · 1.5× milder
- Jalapeño5,000 SHU · 3× milder
Serrano compared
- Habanero vs SerranoHabanero 15×
- Serrano vs CayenneCayenne 2.7×
- Serrano vs JalapeñoSerrano 3×
Questions
How hot is Serrano?
Serrano measures 5,000–25,000 SHU, with a typical figure of 15,000 SHU. That makes it a medium pepper.
How many times hotter is Serrano than a jalapeño?
About 3× a typical jalapeño (15,000 vs 5,000 SHU). Against the hottest jalapeños it is about 1.9×, and against the mildest about 6×.
Is Serrano the hottest pepper in the world?
No. It ranks #20 in our verified ranking. The current record holder is Pepper X at 2,693,000 SHU.
Where does Serrano come from?
Mexico (mountains of Puebla and Hidalgo). 'Serrano' means 'from the mountains' (sierras) in Spanish.
Is the Serrano heat figure verified?
Lab tested: Measured by a university, government or peer-reviewed lab. NDSU gives 5,000-15,000, UF/IFAS 10,000-25,000 and Texas A&M an average of 7,000-25,000.