The Kadence Reading Time plugin is a lightweight utility designed to automatically calculate and display an estimated reading time for your WordPress content. Unlike some standalone plugins, this is typically part of the Kadence Full or Lifetime Full Bundle.
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The plugin uses a word-count algorithm to estimate time, allowing for a more transparent user experience.
Automatic Calculation: Scans post content and calculates reading time based on a words-per-minute (WPM) variable.
Global & Local Control: You can set a global WPM (default is 250 WPM), but you can also override or hide the reading time on a per-post basis.
Placement Options:
Automatically insert before the post content.
Automatically insert into the post meta.
Insert before excerpts on archive pages.
Custom Labels: Fully customizable “Label” (e.g., “Reading Time:”), “Postfix” (e.g., “Minutes”), and a “Singular Postfix” (e.g., “Minute”) for 1-minute reads.
| Feature | Specification |
| Current Version | 1.0.5 (as of early 2026) |
| License | GPL (typically bundled with Kadence Full/Lifetime plans) |
| Shortcode Support | [kt_reading_time] |
| Performance | Lightweight, server-side execution (no heavy JavaScript bloat) |
| Compatibility | Fully compatible with Gutenberg, Kadence Blocks, and Custom Post Types (CPT) |
| Requirement | WordPress 5.0+ (works best within the Kadence ecosystem) |
If the automatic placement doesn’t fit your design, the plugin provides flexible manual options:
Shortcode: Use [kt_reading_time] to place the estimate anywhere in your layout (sidebars, footers, or specific block areas).
Theme Integration: It integrates natively with the Kadence Theme styling, inheriting your site’s typography and color settings by default.
Hooked Elements: For advanced users, it can be triggered via Kadence Pro’s “Hooked Elements” to appear in unique locations like “Above Title” or “Below Category.”
