---
title: "Hurricane categories (Saffir-Simpson scale)"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center, \"Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-10-14
date: 2026-10-14
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-10-14
category: science
checked_on: 2026-10-14
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale"
    publisher: NOAA National Hurricane Center
    url: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# Hurricane categories (Saffir-Simpson scale)

## Summary
The Saffir-Simpson scale rates hurricanes 1–5 by maximum sustained wind only: Cat 1 74–95 mph, Cat 2 96–110, Cat 3 111–129, Cat 4 130–156, Cat 5 157+. Category 3 and above are 'major' hurricanes. It ignores storm surge, flooding, and tornadoes.

> **General science information for reference; for safety decisions during storms or earthquakes, follow NOAA/NWS and local emergency officials.**

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale rates hurricanes 1 to 5 based only on maximum sustained wind speed.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F2
  claim: The scale does not account for storm surge, rainfall flooding, or tornadoes.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F3
  claim: Category 1 is 74–95 mph (119–153 km/h).
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F4
  claim: Category 2 is 96–110 mph (154–177 km/h).
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F5
  claim: Category 3 is 111–129 mph (178–208 km/h).
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F6
  claim: Category 4 is 130–156 mph (209–251 km/h).
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F7
  claim: Category 5 is 157 mph (252 km/h) or higher.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F8
  claim: Category 3 and higher are called major hurricanes.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F9
  claim: In the western North Pacific, 'super typhoon' means sustained winds over 150 mph.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0

## Pointers
- answers: Damage descriptions per category
  where: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php
  access: open