# Reading Time & Word Count Block for Post

**Contributors**: [saif24565](https://profiles.wordpress.org/saif24565)  
**Donate link**: [https://devsopu.com/](https://devsopu.com/)  
**Tags**: reading time, word count, content tools, SEO, readability  
**Requires at least**: 5.0  
**Tested up to**: 6.8  
**Requires PHP**: 7.2  
**Stable tag**: 1.0.0  
**License**: GPLv2 or later  
**License URI**: [https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html)

Display reading time and word count for posts. Automatically or via shortcode. Simple and SEO-friendly.  
Use the shortcode: `[reading_time]`

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## 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.

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## Installation

1. Upload the plugin folder to the `/wp-content/plugins/` directory.
2. Activate the plugin through the 'Plugins' menu in WordPress.
3. Click on **Reading Time** in the WordPress admin menu (clock icon on the left sidebar).
4. 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.
5. Optionally insert the shortcode `[reading_time]` anywhere in your content or theme template.

> ℹ️ Note: The plugin uses an average reading speed of 200 words per minute.

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## Frequently Asked Questions

### 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.

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## Screenshots

1. Upload or download the plugin first
   ![screenshot-1.png](assets%2Fimg%2Fscreenshot-1.png)
2. Active the plugin
   ![screenshot-2.png](assets%2Fimg%2Fscreenshot-2.png)
3. Admin Settings page and Output
   ![screenshot-3.png](assets%2Fimg%2Fscreenshot-3.png)
   ![screenshot-4.png](assets%2Fimg%2Fscreenshot-4.png)
4. Change settings and Output
   ![screenshot-5.png](assets%2Fimg%2Fscreenshot-5.png)
   ![screenshot-6.png](assets%2Fimg%2Fscreenshot-6.png)

Shortcode output

![screenshot-7.png](assets%2Fimg%2Fscreenshot-7.png)
![screenshot-8.png](assets%2Fimg%2Fscreenshot-8.png)

Example output above a blog post

   ![screenshot-4.png](assets%2Fimg%2Fscreenshot-4.png)
   ![screenshot-6.png](assets%2Fimg%2Fscreenshot-6.png)


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## Changelog

### 1.0.0

- Initial stable release
- Settings page with toggle options
- Frontend display + shortcode support

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## Upgrade Notice

### 1.0.0

First public version with shortcode and admin settings for flexible display.

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## 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

**Ordered list:**

1. Automatic reading time on top of content
2. Optional word count toggle
3. Clean and safe output

**Unordered list:**

- Easy to use
- Customizable
- Lightweight

Visit [devsopu.com](https://devsopu.com/) for more.