# Show Reading Time

URL: /bengal/docs/0.5.1/theming/recipes/reading-time/
Section: recipes
Tags: cookbook, filters, reading-time

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Show Reading Time Display estimated reading time using Bengal's reading_time property or filter. The Pattern Use the page property (recommended) &lt;span class=&quot;reading-time&quot;&gt; {{ page.reading_time }} min read &lt;/span&gt; Use the filter on content &lt;span class=&quot;reading-time&quot;&gt; {{ page.content | reading_time }} min read &lt;/span&gt; Both approaches calculate reading time at 200 words per minute by default. What's Happening Component Purpose page.reading_time Property: returns reading time in minutes (cached) reading_time Filter: counts words, divides by 200 Variations With Word Count Custom WPM Short Content Frontmatter Override Bengal provides a word_count filter that strips HTML and counts words: &lt;span&gt;{{ page.content | word_count }} words · {{ page.content | reading_time }} min read&lt;/span&gt; Both filters work together seamlessly since they use the same word counting logic. {# 250 words per minute instead of 200 #} &#123;% let words = page.content | word_count %&#125; &#123;% let minutes = (words / 250) | round(0, &#x27;ceil&#x27;) | int %&#125; &lt;span&gt;{{ minutes }} min read&lt;/span&gt; &#123;% let minutes = page.content | reading_time %&#125; &lt;span class=&quot;reading-time&quot;&gt; &#123;% match minutes %&#125; &#123;% case m if m &lt; 1 %&#125; Quick read &#123;% case 1 %&#125; 1 min read &#123;% case m %&#125; {{ m }} min read &#123;% end %&#125; &lt;/span&gt; Allow manual override for complex content: &#123;% let minutes = page.metadata.reading_time ?? page.content | reading_time %&#125; Then in frontmatter: --- title: Complex Technical Guide reading_time: 25 # Override calculated time --- Info Seealso Template Functions — All filters List Recent Posts — Include reading time in post lists

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Metadata:
- Author: lbliii
- Word Count: 249
- Reading Time: 1 minutes