Description
This plugin adds a dynamic block or shortcode to show estimated reading time and word count for WordPress posts, pages, or custom post types.
Features:
* Automatically appends reading time and word count to the top of posts
* Optional display under title
* Shortcode: [reading_time]
* Uses average reading speed of 200 WPM
* Admin settings to enable/disable sections
Great for improving user experience, accessibility, and SEO readability metrics.
Arbitrary section
This plugin was built with performance in mind. All logic is based on server-side rendering — no page builders or heavy frontend JavaScript.
A brief Markdown Example
- Automatic reading time on top of content
- Optional word count toggle
- Clean and safe output
- Easy to use
- Customizable
- Lightweight
Visit devsopu.com for more.
Screenshots
Upload or download the plugin first screenshot-1.png 
Active the plugin screenshot-2.png 
Admin Settings page and Output screenshot-3.png screenshot-4.png 
Change Settings and Output screenshot-5.png screenshot-6.png 
Installation
- Upload the plugin folder to the
/wp-content/plugins/directory. - Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress.
- Click on Reading Time in the WordPress admin menu (clock icon on the left sidebar).
- On the Reading Time & Word Count Settings screen, configure the following options:
- Show Word Count – Toggle display of total word count.
- Show with Title – Display reading time below the post title.
- Show with Content – Display reading time above the post content.
- Optionally insert the shortcode
[reading_time]anywhere in your content or theme template.
Note: The plugin uses an average reading speed of 200 words per minute.
FAQ
-
Can I change the reading speed calculation?
-
Not in the current version, but support for custom WPM is planned.
-
Will it work with custom post types?
-
Yes, reading time can be shown for any
is_singular()post type.
Reviews
Contributors and Developers
“Reading Time & Word Count Block for Post” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
Contributors
Translate “Reading Time & Word Count Block for Post” into your language.
Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
Change Log
1.0.0
- Initial stable release
- Settings page with toggle options
- Frontend display + shortcode support