How to Add Estimated Reading Time to WordPress Posts Without Any Plugin

Step 1. Create a child theme

Step 2. Add this code to functions.php of your child theme

// Display Estimated Reading Time for WordPress Posts
function at_estimated_reading_time($content) {
    if (is_single()) {
        $word_count = str_word_count(strip_tags($content));
        $words_per_minute = 200; // average reading speed
        $minutes = ceil($word_count / $words_per_minute);
        
        $label = ($minutes <= 1) ? '1 min read' : "$minutes min read";

        // Design your layout
        $reading_time_html = '<div class="reading-time"> ' . esc_html($label) . '</div>';
        return $reading_time_html . $content;
    }
    return $content;
}
add_filter('the_content', 'at_estimated_reading_time');

// Optional: Style your reading time box
add_action('wp_head', function() {
    echo '
    <style>
    .reading-time {
        font-size: 14px;
        font-weight: 500;
        color: #555;
        margin-bottom: 8px;
        background: #f6f7f9;
        display: inline-block;
        padding: 4px 10px;
        border-radius: 6px;
    }
    </style>';
});

Step 2: How It Works

It counts the number of words in your post.
Divides by average reading speed (≈200 words/min).
Displays a small “ X min read” block before your content.
Automatically applies to all single posts, no shortcode needed.

Step 3: (Optional) Move It Below Title Instead of Content

This will place it neatly right below the post title.

// Show Reading Time Below Post Title
function at_show_reading_time_title() {
    if (is_single()) {
        global $post;
        $content = apply_filters('the_content', $post->post_content);
        $word_count = str_word_count(strip_tags($content));
        $minutes = ceil($word_count / 200);
        $label = ($minutes <= 1) ? '1 min read' : "$minutes min read";
        echo '<div class="reading-time"> ' . esc_html($label) . '</div>';
    }
}
add_action('the_title', 'at_show_reading_time_title');

Step 4. To style it add this code to your child themes css

.reading-time {
  font-size: 13px;
  color: #999;
  margin-top: 6px;
  display: block;
}

Why Add Reading Time ?

Improves UX: Visitors know what to expect before reading. Boosts dwell time: Readers stay longer when they see a short read ahead.
SEO Friendly: Google rewards better user engagement metrics.
Professional feel: Adds that “modern blog” vibe instantly.

Adding reading time to your WordPress posts is a simple but powerful trick.
It takes less than a minute to set up and instantly improves UX + SEO metrics — a win-win for every blogger or developer-focused site.

TronicBazaar.com