Reading time API

WPM + image + code-aware estimate.

POST /api/v1/reading-time estimates reading time from words, images, and code lines independently — more honest than the standard 'words divided by 200' calculation. All multipliers are configurable.

Overview

Estimate reading time more honestly than 'words ÷ 200'. Prose runs at a configurable WPM (default 200); images add a fixed scan-time (default 12s); code lines add a fixed parse-time (default 2s). All three knobs are tunable.

Request

Authenticate with Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY and send a JSON body containing the parameters below. Pick your language:

curl -X POST 'https://trymarkdownviewer.com/api/v1/reading-time' \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"markdown":"# Hello\n\nA short paragraph."}'

Body parameters

Field	Type	Required	Description
markdown	string	required	Markdown source.
wpm	number	optional	Words per minute. Default 200.
imageSeconds	number	optional	Seconds per image. Default 12.
codeLineSeconds	number	optional	Seconds per code line. Default 2.

Response

Success responses are wrapped in a data field. Errors use { error: { code, message } } with an appropriate HTTP status — see the error reference.

{
  "data": {
    "words": 4,
    "imageSeconds": 0,
    "codeLines": 0,
    "codeSeconds": 0,
    "totalSeconds": 1,
    "totalMinutes": 1,
    "formatted": "1 sec read"
  }
}

Use cases

'X min read' chips

Render a reading-time chip alongside every article.

POST
/api/v1/analyze
Analyze markdown
Word count, reading time, links, images, structure.

Try in browser

Free tools that run the same logic locally — no API key, no upload.

Reading Time Estimator
Medium-style min read

Try it

Send a real request against your account in the API playground. Errors there link straight back to the error reference.