Title: ReadTrack
Author: marcinfilipiak
Published: <strong>July 16, 2025</strong>
Last modified: December 13, 2025

---

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![](https://s.w.org/plugins/geopattern-icon/readtrack.svg)

# ReadTrack

 By [marcinfilipiak](https://profiles.wordpress.org/marcinfilipiak/)

[Download](https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/readtrack.zip)

 * [Details](https://twd.wordpress.org/plugins/readtrack/#description)
 * [Reviews](https://twd.wordpress.org/plugins/readtrack/#reviews)
 *  [Installation](https://twd.wordpress.org/plugins/readtrack/#installation)
 * [Development](https://twd.wordpress.org/plugins/readtrack/#developers)

 [Support](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/readtrack/)

## Description

**ReadTrack** is a lightweight plugin that improves the user experience by displaying:
–
⏱️ Estimated reading time based on post word count – 📊 A visual progress bar that
fills as the reader scrolls

You can fully customize the text shown before the post using a settings page in 
the WordPress admin panel. The default template is:

    ```
    ⏱️ Estimated reading time: %minutes% min
    ```

Simply place `%minutes%` in your message to dynamically show the calculated reading
time.

**New in version 1.2:**
 – The plugin now uses the WordPress database (via `get_option()`/`
update_option()`) instead of saving configuration to a file in the plugin folder.–
This ensures full compatibility with WordPress.org guidelines and multisite installations.

### License

This plugin is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the
terms of the GNU General Public License v2 or later.

## Installation

 1. Upload the plugin folder to the `/wp-content/plugins/` directory, or install it
    via the WordPress Plugin Directory.
 2. Activate the plugin through the “Plugins” menu in WordPress.
 3. Go to **Settings > ReadTrack** to customize the message.
 4. Make sure your theme supports `the_content` filter (most do).

## FAQ

### Can I change the reading time label?

Yes! Just go to **Settings > ReadTrack** and enter your custom message. Use `%minutes%`
where you want the number to appear.

### Does it work with custom post types?

Currently, it only affects single blog posts (`is_single()`). You can modify the
condition in `readtrack_add_elements()` if needed.

### Is JavaScript required?

Yes, JavaScript is used to update the scroll progress bar in real time.

## Reviews

There are no reviews for this plugin.

## Contributors & Developers

“ReadTrack” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this
plugin.

Contributors

 *   [ marcinfilipiak ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/marcinfilipiak/)

[Translate “ReadTrack” into your language.](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/readtrack)

### Interested in development?

[Browse the code](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/readtrack/), check 
out the [SVN repository](https://plugins.svn.wordpress.org/readtrack/), or subscribe
to the [development log](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/readtrack/) by [RSS](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/readtrack/?limit=100&mode=stop_on_copy&format=rss).

## Changelog

#### 1.2

 * Configuration is now saved in the WordPress options table (no more writing to
   plugin files)
 * Improved compatibility with WordPress.org plugin guidelines

#### 1.1

 * English translation of plugin code and admin panel
 * First public version with settings page and config file

## Meta

 *  Version **1.2**
 *  Last updated **4 months ago**
 *  Active installations **Fewer than 10**
 *  WordPress version ** 5.8 or higher **
 *  Tested up to **6.8.5**
 *  PHP version ** 7.2 or higher **
 *  Language
 * [English (US)](https://wordpress.org/plugins/readtrack/)
 * Tags
 * [estimated reading time](https://twd.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/estimated-reading-time/)
   [progress bar](https://twd.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/progress-bar/)[Readability](https://twd.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/readability/)
   [reading time](https://twd.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/reading-time/)[ux](https://twd.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/ux/)
 *  [Advanced View](https://twd.wordpress.org/plugins/readtrack/advanced/)

## Ratings

No reviews have been submitted yet.

[Add my review](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/readtrack/reviews/#new-post)

[See all reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/readtrack/reviews/)

## Contributors

 *   [ marcinfilipiak ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/marcinfilipiak/)

## Support

Got something to say? Need help?

 [View support forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/readtrack/)