Maelezo
The Reading Time Block plugin calculates and displays an estimated reading time based on the post content.
It uses a configurable reading speed (default: 200 words per minute) and outputs a clean, server-rendered block to the frontend.
This is ideal for blogs, documentation, or any content where you want to set expectations about how long it will take a visitor to read the page.
Features
- Adds a block to the Gutenberg editor for reading time.
- Automatically calculates based on post content.
- Supports customizable reading speed (WPM) via Settings Reading.
- Lightweight and fast—no JS build step required.
- Fully translatable and namespace-isolated.
License
This plugin is licensed under the GNU General Public License v2.0 or later.
See https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html for full license text.
Screenshots
The block as it appears in the editor. 
The estimated reading time on the frontend. 
The WPM setting in Settings Reading.
Bloku
Kijalizi hiki kinawezesha bloku 1.
- Reading Time
Installation
- Upload the plugin files to the
/wp-content/plugins/reading-time-block/directory, or install the plugin through the WordPress plugin screen directly. - Activate the plugin through the “Plugins” screen in WordPress.
- Open a post in the block editor and insert the Reading Time block from the Widgets category.
- Adjust the reading speed (optional) by visiting Settings Reading.
FAQ
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How is the reading time calculated?
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The plugin counts the number of words in the post content and divides by the configured reading speed in words per minute (WPM). It then rounds up to the nearest minute if necessary.
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Can I change the reading speed?
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Yes. You can adjust the reading speed via a numeric input or preset values in Settings Reading.
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Does this plugin require JavaScript building or Node.js?
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No, the block is written in plain JavaScript and PHP, so there’s no build step or asset compilation required.
Reviews
Hakuna hakiki za programu-jalizi hii.
Wachangiaji & Wasanidi
“Reading Time Block” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
Contributors
Translate “Reading Time Block” into your language.
Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
Changelog
1.2.2
- Moved javascript to separate file, enqueued file
- Removed load_plugin_textdomain function call
1.2.1
- Added shortcode [reading_time].
1.2.0
- Added language support.
1.1.0
- Added settings under Settings Reading for customizing WPM.
- Refactored render logic into a dedicated class.
- Improved block code structure.
1.0
- Initial release.
- Added a Gutenberg block to display estimated reading time.