Chrome doesn't have a built-in block feature, but you can use free extensions to stop yourself from reaching specific sites
Google Chrome has no native website blocker. If you want to prevent yourself from visiting certain sites — whether to stay focused during work, protect children from inappropriate content, or avoid time-wasting distractions — you need to install a third-party extension. The most straightforward options are BlockSite, LeechBlock NG, and Freedom, all available free in the Chrome Web Store.
Each extension works slightly differently. Some let you block sites immediately and permanently. Others let you set time windows so the block only applies during work hours. Some require a password to unblock a site, which makes it harder to bypass the block on impulse. The right choice depends on whether you're blocking for yourself or managing a child's device.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome extensions like BlockSite and LeechBlock NG are the standard way to block websites because Chrome itself has no built-in blocker.
- You can block individual sites, entire categories (like social media), or set time-based blocks that only apply during certain hours.
- Password-protected blocks are harder to disable on impulse, but you need to remember the password or you'll be locked out of your own settings.
- Parental control apps like Google Family Link offer more control over a child's device than browser extensions alone.
Installing BlockSite, the simplest option for most people
BlockSite is the most straightforward extension if you want to block a few specific sites without complicated settings. Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store by typing chrome.google.com/webstore into the address bar. Search for "BlockSite" and click the blue "Add to Chrome" button on the official BlockSite extension (made by Proton, the company behind ProtonVPN).
Chrome will ask for permission to read and change your data on websites. Click "Add extension" to confirm. A BlockSite icon will appear in your toolbar — it looks like a circle with a slash through it. Click that icon, then click the plus sign to add your first blocked site. Type the full web address (for example, reddit.com) and click "Block". The site is now blocked. If you try to visit it, you'll see a message saying the site is blocked instead of the page loading.
To unblock a site later, click the BlockSite icon again, find the site in your list, and click the trash icon next to it. BlockSite also lets you block entire categories like social media or gaming sites by clicking "Block Categories" instead of adding individual sites.
Using LeechBlock NG for time-based blocking and password protection
LeechBlock NG gives you more control than BlockSite if you want blocks that only apply during certain hours, or if you want to password-protect your block settings so you can't accidentally disable them. Go to the Chrome Web Store, search for "LeechBlock NG", and click "Add to Chrome" on the extension by James Anderson.
After installation, click the LeechBlock icon in your toolbar (it looks like a chain link) and click "Options" to open the settings page. Under "Blocked sites", paste the web addresses you want to block, one per line. You can use wildcards — for example, typing *.reddit.com blocks all Reddit subdomains at once.
To set time-based blocking, scroll down to "Time allowance" and enter the number of minutes per day you want to allow on those sites. Once you hit the time limit, the sites block automatically until the next day. You can also set "Access times" to block sites only during specific hours — for example, 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays. If you want to prevent yourself from disabling the block, scroll to "Password" and enter a password. You'll need that password to change any settings later, so write it down somewhere safe.
Setting up parental controls for a child's device
Browser extensions work for adults managing their own focus, but they're not designed for parental control. A child can uninstall the extension or use a different browser. If you're managing a child's device, use Google Family Link instead, which is built into Android and Chromebook devices and available as an app for iPhones.
On the child's device, open Settings, search for "Family Link", and follow the setup prompts to link the device to your Google account. Once linked, open the Family Link app on your own phone or computer. You can set app restrictions, screen time limits, and block specific websites from the app. The child cannot remove Family Link without your password, making it much harder to bypass than a browser extension.
For Windows or Mac computers, Family Link offers limited website blocking. For more control on a computer, consider Freedom (available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android), which blocks sites and apps across your entire device rather than just in Chrome. Freedom costs money after a free trial, but it's more difficult to disable than a browser extension because it runs at the system level.
What happens when you try to visit a blocked site
When you navigate to a blocked site, you'll see a message from the extension instead of the website. BlockSite shows a red page saying "This site is blocked". LeechBlock NG shows a similar message with the option to click "Unblock" if you know the password. The exact message depends on which extension you're using.
Some extensions let you set a delay before unblocking — for example, you might have to wait 30 seconds and answer a math problem before you can disable the block. This friction is intentional: it gives you time to reconsider before you bypass your own block. If you set a password, you'll need to enter it to unblock anything, which makes impulsive unblocking impossible.
Blocking sites on a Chromebook
Chromebooks work the same way as Chrome on Windows or Mac — you can install BlockSite or LeechBlock NG from the Chrome Web Store and use them exactly as described above. If the Chromebook is managed by a school or organization, your administrator may have already blocked certain sites at the network level, and you won't be able to unblock them yourself.
If you're a parent managing a child's Chromebook, Family Link offers stronger controls than extensions. Open Family Link on your phone, select the child's device, and go to "App & web activity" to set website restrictions. You can block specific sites or entire categories, and the child cannot remove the restriction without your password.
Removing a block if you forget your password
If you set a password on LeechBlock NG and forget it, you'll need to uninstall the extension and reinstall it to reset your settings. Click the three-dot menu in the top right of Chrome, go to "More tools" > "Extensions", find LeechBlock NG, and click the trash icon to remove it. Then reinstall it from the Chrome Web Store. Your blocked sites list will be gone, but you'll be able to set new blocks without a password.
This is why password protection works: it's annoying enough to discourage casual unblocking, but not impossible if you really need to change your settings. If you use a password, write it down and store it somewhere you won't lose it — not in a note on your computer, where you might delete it by accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else unblock a site if I set a password?
No. Only someone who knows the password can change the block settings. If you're using this to manage your own focus, that person is you. If you're managing a child's device with Family Link, you control the password from your own account, so the child cannot unblock sites without your phone or computer.
Will blocking a site in Chrome also block it in other browsers?
No. Chrome extensions only work in Chrome. If you want to block sites across your entire device — including Safari, Firefox, or other browsers — you need a system-level blocker like Freedom or Google Family Link. Browser extensions are only effective if you commit to using Chrome for browsing.
Can I block a site on my phone?
Chrome extensions don't work on mobile Chrome. On Android, install Google Family Link or Freedom to block sites. On iPhone, Family Link offers limited blocking, or you can use Freedom. Some phones also have built-in parental controls in Settings that let you restrict websites at the system level.
What if a site changes its web address?
You'll need to block the new address separately. If a site you blocked moves to a different domain, you can add the new domain to your block list. LeechBlock NG's wildcard feature (using asterisks) helps catch variations — for example, *.example.com blocks all subdomains of example.com at once.
Do I need to pay for a website blocker?
BlockSite and LeechBlock NG are free. Freedom and some other advanced blockers charge money, but they offer features like cross-device blocking and app blocking that free extensions don't. For most people, the free extensions are enough.