If you’re running a WordPress site, you may be wondering how to add read time estimate to your posts. Fortunately, it’s quite straightforward.

Reading time estimates have become a staple on many leading blogs and online publications. These indicators provide readers with an idea of how much time they’ll need to invest in a particular article, helping them manage their time more efficiently.

Why Add a Reading Time Estimate?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s discuss the why. Adding a reading time estimate can:

• Enhance User Experience (UX): Knowing how long an article will take can help readers decide whether to engage now or save it for later.
• Boost Engagement: When readers know the time commitment upfront, they’re less likely to bounce midway through reading.
• Improve SEO: Enhanced UX and engagement metrics can positively impact your search rankings.

How to Implement Read Time Estimates in WordPress

There are mainly two methods to add a reading time estimate: using a plugin or adding custom code.

1. Using a Plugin:

For those who prefer a hassle-free method, plugins are the way to go. Here are some recommendations:

• Reading Time WP
• : This is a popular, lightweight plugin. Simply install and activate it from your WordPress dashboard, and it will automatically add reading time estimates to your posts.
• Worth The Read: Another excellent choice, this plugin not only gives an estimate but also provides a progress bar as readers scroll down.

How to set it up using Reading Time WP:

1. Go to ‘Plugins’ in your WordPress dashboard and click ‘Add New’.
2. Search for ‘Reading Time WP’.
3. Install and activate the plugin.
4. Navigate to the plugin settings to customize how the reading time is displayed.

2. Adding Custom Code:

If you’re comfortable with coding and want more control over how the reading time is displayed, you can opt for this method. Here’s a basic way to calculate and display reading time:

function reading_time() {
    $content = get_post_field( 'post_content', get_the_ID() );
    $word_count = str_word_count( strip_tags( $content ) );
    $readingtime = ceil($word_count / 200); // Assume an average reading speed of 200 words per minute.

    $totalreadingtime = sprintf( _n('%d minute', '%d minutes', $readingtime), $readingtime );
    return $totalreadingtime;
}

Add this function to your theme’s functions.php file. Then, where you want to display the reading time (e.g., in your single.php or content.php file), use:

echo reading_time();

Conclusion

Adding a reading time estimate to your WordPress posts can significantly improve the UX of your website.

Whether you’re using a plugin or integrating custom code, this feature can help set clear expectations for your readers and potentially increase engagement.