The simplest way to block a website on Chrome

Chrome does not have a built-in website blocker in its settings. To block a website, you need to install a browser extension — a small program that adds features to Chrome. The most straightforward option is an extension like BlockSite, Freedom, or LeechBlock NG, which you read from the Chrome Web Store for free.

Once installed, these extensions let you type in the web address of any site you want to block. When you try to visit that site, you see a message instead of the page. Some extensions block the site completely; others let you set times when the site is off-limits but available at other hours.

The process takes about two minutes: find an extension, click "Add to Chrome," confirm the permission it needs, then add your blocked sites to its list.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome extensions like BlockSite and Freedom add blocking features that Chrome itself does not have built in.
  • You install extensions free from the Chrome Web Store and can block sites by typing their web address into the extension's list.
  • Some extensions block sites all the time; others let you set schedules so sites are blocked only during work hours or study time.
  • If you share a computer, parental control extensions can block sites for other users while leaving your own account unrestricted.
  • The extension you choose depends on whether you want straightforward blocking, time-based blocking, or controls for other people using the computer.

Popular extensions and what each one does

BlockSite is the most basic option. You add a website address, and it blocks that site when ready. It works on all your devices if you sign in with a Google account. The free version blocks sites; the paid version adds features like scheduling and password protection so you cannot turn off the blocker on impulse.

Freedom blocks websites and apps across your computer, phone, and tablet. It focuses on distraction — social media, news sites, games — and lets you set schedules. You can block sites only during work hours, for example, or create a "focus session" that blocks everything on your list for a set amount of time. Freedom costs money but offers a free trial.

LeechBlock NG is free and designed for people who want detailed control. You can set different blocking rules for different times of day, different days of the week, and different categories of sites. It is more complex to set up than BlockSite but gives you more options if you need them.

Cold Turkey is the strictest option. Once you start a blocking session, you cannot stop it — not even by restarting your computer. It is designed for people who need to remove the option to change their mind. It costs money and works on Windows and Mac.

How to install and use a blocking extension

Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store by typing chrome.google.com/webstore into the address bar. Search for "BlockSite" or whichever extension you chose. Click the extension's name to open its page.

Click the blue "Add to Chrome" button. A popup appears asking what permissions the extension needs — for example, permission to see the websites you visit. Click "Add extension" to confirm. The extension icon appears in the top right corner of Chrome, next to the address bar.

Click the extension icon to open it. Most extensions show a straightforward form where you type the web address you want to block. Type the full address — for example, facebook.com or reddit.com — and click "Add" or "Block." The site is now blocked. The next time you try to visit it, you see a message from the extension instead of the page.

If you want to unblock a site, open the extension again, find that site in your list, and click the delete or remove button next to it.

Blocking websites for other people on your computer

If you share a computer with family members or roommates, some extensions let you set up blocking rules that explore to other user accounts. This is different from blocking sites just for yourself.

Parental control extensions like Net Nanny or Bark let you create a restricted account for another person. You set which sites are blocked, and the other person cannot change those settings without a password you control. These extensions cost money and require more setup than straightforward blockers.

A simpler approach: create a separate Chrome profile for the other person. Open Chrome settings, click "Manage other people," and add a new person. That person gets their own Chrome profile with their own extensions and settings. You can install a blocking extension in their profile without affecting your own account. They cannot access your profile or change the blocker without knowing your password.

What happens when you try to visit a blocked site

When you navigate to a blocked website, the extension stops the page from loading and shows a message instead. The message usually says something like "This site is blocked" and displays the extension's icon or name.

Some extensions show a timer — how long until the site is unblocked if you set a schedule. Others show a button to temporarily unblock the site, though this usually requires entering a password if you set one up. If you did not set a password, you can unblock the site by opening the extension and removing it from your blocked list, which defeats the purpose if you are trying to stop yourself from visiting.

The blocked site never loads, and you do not see any of its content. This is different from a filter that lets the page load but hides certain parts — the extension stops the connection entirely.

Blocking sites by category instead of by individual address

Some extensions let you block entire categories of sites instead of typing in each address individually. For example, you can block "social media" and the extension automatically blocks Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and similar sites without you having to list them all.

Freedom and Cold Turkey both include category blocking. You choose from preset categories like "Social Media," "News," "Entertainment," or "Shopping," and the extension maintains a list of sites in each category. This is faster than building your own list if you want to block a whole type of site.

The downside is that you cannot control exactly which sites fall into each category — the extension's creator decides that. If a site is miscategorized or if you want to block only some social media sites but not others, you may need to add or remove individual sites on top of the category blocking.

Removing or changing a blocker

To turn off a blocking extension entirely, click the extension icon in the top right of Chrome and look for a disable or turn off button. Some extensions let you pause blocking for a set time — 15 minutes, one hour, or until tomorrow. Others require you to remove the site from your blocked list to visit it again.

To uninstall an extension completely, right-click its icon in the top right and select "Remove from Chrome." Confirm the removal. The extension is deleted, and all your blocked sites are unblocked when ready.

If you set a password to protect the blocker, you need that password to change or remove sites from your blocked list. If you forget the password, you usually have to uninstall the extension entirely and reinstall it to start fresh. Some extensions offer a recovery email option — check the extension's settings or help page before you set a password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else remove the blocker if they use my computer?

Yes, unless you set a password. Most extensions let you password-protect the blocker so that removing or changing it requires a password. Without a password, anyone with access to your computer can uninstall the extension or remove sites from your blocked list. If you share a computer with someone you do not trust to respect the blocker, use a parental control extension or create a separate Chrome profile for them.

Do blocking extensions work on all websites?

Extensions block regular websites reliably, but some sites use technology that makes blocking harder. Very large sites like Google or YouTube sometimes have workarounds. Most extensions are updated regularly to handle new blocking methods, but no blocker is 100 percent foolproof if someone is determined to get around it.

Will a blocked website still load if I use a different browser?

Yes. Chrome extensions only work in Chrome. If you install BlockSite in Chrome, it does not block sites in Firefox, Safari, or Edge. If you want to block sites across all browsers, you need to install the extension in each browser separately, or use a tool that blocks at the network level instead of the browser level.

Can I block a website on my phone?

Chrome extensions do not work on the Chrome mobile app. On Android, you can use parental control apps like Google Family Link or third-party blockers from the Google Play Store. On iPhone, you can use Screen Time in Settings to block websites at the system level. These phone-level blockers work across all apps, not just Chrome.

What is the difference between blocking a site and deleting my browsing history?

Blocking prevents you from visiting a site in the future. Deleting browsing history removes the record that you visited sites in the past. They do different things — blocking is about preventing future visits, while clearing history is about hiding past visits. You can do both, but they serve different purposes.