Chrome doesn't have a built-in block feature, but you can use extensions to prevent yourself from visiting specific sites

Google Chrome itself has no native way to block a webpage or website. If you want to stop yourself from visiting a particular site — whether it's a distraction, a site you're trying to avoid, or content you don't want others using your computer to reach — you'll need to install a third-party extension that does the blocking for you.

The most straightforward approach is to use a free extension like Block Site, LeechBlock NG, or Freedom. These extensions let you add URLs to a blocklist, set times when the block is active, and in some cases password-protect the settings so you can't easily turn them off. The process takes about five minutes from start to finish.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome has no built-in block feature; you must install an extension from the Chrome Web Store to block websites.
  • Block Site and LeechBlock NG are free extensions that let you add specific URLs to a blocklist and set when the block is active.
  • After installing an extension, you add the website URL to your blocklist, and the extension will show a blocked page whenever you try to visit it.
  • Some extensions let you password-protect your blocklist so you can't remove sites from the list without entering a password.
  • The blocked page appears instantly; there is no delay or warning before the block takes effect.

Install a blocking extension from the Chrome Web Store

Open Chrome and go to chrome.google.com/webstore. In the search box at the top left, type "block site" or "leechblock". Both extensions are free and have thousands of active users. Click on the one you want, then click the blue Add to Chrome button.

Chrome will ask you to confirm that you want to add the extension. Click Add extension. The extension will install in a few seconds, and you'll see a small icon appear in the top right corner of your browser, next to the address bar. This icon is how you access the extension's settings.

If you don't see the icon right away, click the puzzle piece icon in the top right corner of Chrome (it looks like a jigsaw puzzle), then look for your extension's name in the list. You can click the pin icon next to it to keep it visible in your toolbar.

Add websites to your blocklist

Click the extension icon in the top right corner of Chrome. A small menu or settings panel will open. Look for an option that says Add site, Add URL, or Settings. The exact wording depends on which extension you chose.

Type or paste the full website address into the field. For example, if you want to block Twitter, you would enter twitter.com or x.com. You can add just the domain name (like reddit.com) to block the entire site, or a specific page (like reddit.com/r/gaming) to block only that section. Click Add or Save.

Repeat this step for each site you want to block. Most extensions let you add as many sites as you want. After you've added all the sites, close the settings panel by clicking elsewhere or pressing Escape.

Test the block and adjust your settings

Try visiting one of the sites you just added to your blocklist. Instead of loading the page, you should see a message saying the site is blocked. The exact message depends on your extension, but it will be clear that you cannot access the page.

Go back to the extension settings and look for additional options. Most blocking extensions let you set specific times when the block is active — for example, you might block social media during work hours but allow it in the evening. Some extensions also let you set a password that you must enter to remove a site from your blocklist or turn off the extension entirely. This is useful if you're trying to break a habit and want to make it harder to undo your own decision.

If you need to remove a site from your blocklist, click the extension icon, find the site in your list, and click the delete or remove button next to it. The site will be unblocked immediately.

What to do if you need to temporarily unblock a site

If you've password-protected your blocklist, you'll need to enter that password to remove a site or turn off the extension. This is intentional — it's meant to stop you from unblocking sites on impulse. If you've genuinely forgotten your password, you can uninstall the extension entirely and reinstall it, which will reset all your settings. However, you'll lose your entire blocklist in the process.

If you haven't password-protected your settings, you can remove any site from your blocklist at any time by clicking the extension icon and deleting it. Some people find this too easy to do when they're tempted, which is why setting a password is worth considering.

Blocking sites on a shared computer or for another user

If you're setting up blocks for someone else — a child, for example — install the extension on their Chrome profile, not your own. Each person who uses Chrome on the same computer can have their own profile with separate extensions and settings. The person whose profile the extension is installed on can still uninstall it or remove sites from the blocklist unless you've password-protected it.

For stronger parental controls, Chrome has a built-in Supervised Users feature that lets you restrict which sites a child can visit. This requires setting up a Google Family Link account and is more difficult to bypass than a simple extension. If you need that level of control, look up "Chrome Supervised Users" or "Google Family Link" instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block a site on just one Chrome profile, not all of them?

Yes. Each person who uses Chrome on your computer can have their own profile with separate extensions. Install the blocking extension only on the profile where you want the block to be active. Other profiles won't have the extension and won't see the blocked pages.

What happens if I try to visit a blocked site?

You'll see a blocked page message instead of the website. The exact message depends on your extension, but it will clearly state that the site is blocked. You won't be able to click through to the site unless you remove it from your blocklist or disable the extension.

Can someone else remove a site from my blocklist if I'm not around?

Yes, unless you've set a password in your extension's settings. If you password-protect your blocklist, anyone trying to remove a site or disable the extension will need to enter that password first. This makes it much harder to undo your block on impulse.

Do blocking extensions work if I use a different browser?

No. Blocking extensions only work in the browser where you installed them. If you want to block sites in Firefox or Safari, you'll need to install a separate blocking extension in each browser.

Will a blocking extension slow down Chrome?

Most blocking extensions have minimal impact on Chrome's speed. They only check the URL you're trying to visit against your blocklist, which is a quick process. You shouldn't notice any slowdown in everyday browsing.