Plugin
Updated
Kadence Reading Time
Kadence Reading Time is a WordPress plugin by Kadence WP that calculates how long a post will take to read and displays that estimate for visitors. It works from a words-per-minute setting you choose, so you never have to work out reading times by hand.
- Version
- 1.0.5
- Released
- Feb 26, 2025
- Developer
- Kadence WP
- Type
- WordPress plugin
- Requires
- Kadence Blocks and Kadence
- Licence
- GPL
- Included in
- Every plan, or $4.79 a year on its own
What’s new in Kadence Reading Time 1.0.5
Version 1.0.5
Latest
- ImprovedTested up to WP 6.7
- FixedPHP 8.2 deprecation notice.
What it does
Readers like to know what they are getting into before they start an article. A short line telling them a post takes four or twelve minutes helps them decide whether to read now or come back later. Working out and typing that number for every post is tedious, and it goes stale the moment you edit the content. This plugin handles the estimate for you, calculating reading time from the length of each post and showing it at the top of your content.
The calculation is based on a global words-per-minute setting, so you can match the pace to your audience and your writing style. When a particular post needs different treatment, per-post meta settings let you hide the reading time or override it with your own value. The plugin is made to work with Kadence themes and Kadence Blocks, which fits sites already built on that setup, and configuring it requires no coding.
Best for
- Bloggers running sites on Kadence themes
- Publishers and content sites with long-form articles
- Content marketers who want readers informed about post length
Features
Automatic reading time calculation
Estimates how long each post takes to read using your global words-per-minute setting, so there is no need to calculate or enter durations manually.
Adjustable words-per-minute setting
Set the reading pace once for the whole site, and every estimate is calculated from that value to suit your audience and content.
Display at the top of posts
The estimated reading time appears at the top of your posts, giving visitors an idea of the time needed before they begin.
Hide reading time per post
Turn the estimate off on specific posts through meta settings, useful for short updates or pages where a reading time does not fit.
Override the estimate per post
Replace the calculated value with your own reading time on individual posts when you want to show a different figure.
Built for Kadence themes
Works natively with Kadence themes, keeping the reading time display consistent with the design of sites built on the Kadence setup.
No coding required
Setup and configuration happen through simple settings, so you can add reading times to your content without touching code.
Kadence Reading Time older versions
- 1.0.3Apr 18, 20231 new
Members and buyers of this product can download older versions.
Questions about Kadence Reading Time
Does it work without a Kadence theme?
The plugin is designed to work with the Kadence theme and the Kadence Blocks plugin, and it lists both as requirements. It suits sites that are already built on that Kadence setup.
How is the reading time calculated?
It uses a global words-per-minute setting that you control. The plugin measures the content of each post against that pace and displays the resulting estimate automatically, so you do not need to enter anything manually.
Can I turn off the reading time on certain posts?
Yes. Per-post meta settings let you hide the reading time on specific posts. You can also override the calculated estimate with your own value when a post needs a different figure.
Does it work on pages as well as posts?
The plugin is described as displaying estimated reading times for blog posts and pages, with the estimate shown at the top of your content.
Is Kadence Reading Time free?
The code of Kadence Reading Time is licensed under the GPL, so anyone may use, change and share it. GPL Feast is a paid service: a plan or a single purchase gives you the download and automatic updates. The developer's own support, licence key and online services are not included.
Which version of Kadence Reading Time is this?
Version 1.0.5, released Feb 26, 2025. New versions appear here when the developer publishes them, and members get them as automatic updates.
How do I update Kadence Reading Time?
Install the free GPL Feast Updater on your site and connect it with your API key. It installs new versions of Kadence Reading Time automatically and keeps a backup, so you can roll back.
What does Kadence Reading Time need?
Kadence Reading Time needs Kadence Blocks and Kadence installed and active.
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