Docs / Reading Time & Progress Bar
How to add reading time and a progress bar to WordPress posts
PluginsForStores Reading Time & Progress Bar shows “X min read” and a thin top progress indicator to improve engagement on long-form content.
Updated 2026-09-29
Why reading signals help stores and blogs
Guides, lookbooks, and brand stories keep shoppers on-page longer when expectations are clear. An estimated read time and a subtle progress bar reduce bounce on long articles without redesigning the theme.
What the plugin adds
A thin reading progress bar at the top of the viewport and an “X min read” label near the start of content. Designed to complement most themes with minimal CSS.
- Progress bar tracks scroll through the article
- Estimated minutes based on content length
- Low asset weight — performance minded
- Works on typical post / page templates
Setup
Install and activate from PluginsForStores. Open a long post on the front end to confirm the label and bar appear. If a highly customized theme hides the content container the plugin expects, check support with your theme name.