Add Content - Time Estimation Plugin (Reading Time for Articles)

[CSGoat0]

Title: Add Content - Time Estimation Plugin (Reading Time for Articles)
Category: New Feature / Plugin

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Description

I'd like to propose adding a new Content - Time Estimation Plugin that automatically calculates and displays estimated reading time for articles.

I initially opened a PR for this (#47392), but it was suggested that I start with a discussion first. I'm happy to gather feedback before finalizing.

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Why This Feature?

Currently, Joomla articles don't display estimated reading time. This is a common feature on modern websites that helps users gauge content length and decide whether to read now or save for later. It improves user experience and engagement.

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Proposed Solution

The plugin:

• Calculates reading time based on word count and an admin-configurable words-per-minute setting (default: 200 WPM)
• Displays a badge below the article title with:
  • Estimated minutes (e.g., "3 min read")
  • Total word count (e.g., "150 words")
• Uses Joomla events:
  • onContentPrepare – counts words from raw HTML content
  • onContentAfterTitle – injects the badge into the afterDisplayTitle position
• Works out-of-the-box with Cassiopeia — no template override needed
• Fully configurable via plugin parameters (WPM adjustable per site/audience)

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Admin Configuration

The plugin includes a simple parameter: Words Per Minute (default: 200). Administrators can adjust this based on their audience's reading speed.

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Frontend Display

The reading time badge appears automatically below the article title, as shown in the screenshot.

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Notes / Open Questions

• UI: I know the current UI is not the best, I will work on it once the feature is approved.
• WPM: It will be set to 200 wpm by default.
• Plugin: I have the plugin code without missing with SQL yet, I have tested it and it works fine with Joomla. I don't know if it's supposed not to work without adding SQL, but it worked!
• SQL: I have told that I should follow other plugins and add the SQL needed, I intend to do it once it's approved.

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Next Steps

If the feature is approved, I will:

1. Address any feedback on implementation approach (including ones at the pr).
2. Adjust language file location.
3. Polish UI to match Joomla standards.

Looking forward to your thoughts and suggestions!

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PR Reference: #47392

[chmst]

Do we need a plugin for this feature?

Word count and estimated reading time need only two lines of code in the article layout, a few params in the article would do it.

But a plugin could add a scroll-spy (progress bar) which shows where the user is scrolling and add possibility to use different words-per-minute values for the content languages. English for example with 230 words, German with 210 words, the scoll spy as horizontal or vertical bar, with different params.

[CSGoat0]

I like the idea of the scroll spy, i think this could be a standalone plugin.
What do you think?

[CSGoat0]

Don't extensions for this already exist?

No 😅

[brianteeman]

search again https://extensions.joomla.org/extension/estimated-reading-time/

[CSGoat0]

search again https://extensions.joomla.org/extension/estimated-reading-time/

Oh, didn't see it in plugins. Is it part of the core already?

[brianteeman]

no its an extension