The fastest way to block a website in Chrome

Chrome does not have a built-in website blocker, so you will need to install a browser extension to block sites. The most straightforward option is BlockSite, which lets you add websites to a blocklist and prevents you from visiting them — even if you type the address directly into the address bar.

To set it up: go to the Chrome Web Store, search for "BlockSite", click the extension by Elias Ek, and select Add to Chrome. Chrome will ask you to confirm; click Add extension. A small icon will appear in the top right corner of your browser. Click it, then click the plus sign to add the first website you want to block. Type the full web address (for example, reddit.com) and click Add. The site is now blocked.

When you try to visit a blocked site, you will see a message saying the site is blocked instead of the webpage loading. You can unblock it the same way — click the BlockSite icon, find the site in your list, and click the trash icon next to it.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome requires a browser extension to block websites; the built-in parental controls do not include site blocking.
  • BlockSite is a free extension that prevents you from visiting websites you add to its blocklist, even if you type the address directly.
  • You can add or remove blocked sites at any time by clicking the BlockSite icon and using the plus or trash buttons.
  • If you want to block sites for someone else on a shared computer, Chrome's supervised user accounts offer more control than extensions alone.

Installing and using BlockSite step by step

Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store by typing chrome.google.com/webstore into the address bar. In the search box at the top left, type "BlockSite" and press Enter. The first result should be BlockSite by Elias Ek (it will have a red icon with a circle and slash). Click on it.

On the BlockSite page, click the blue Add to Chrome button in the top right. A popup will appear asking "Add 'BlockSite'?" Click Add extension. Chrome will show a confirmation message, and a small BlockSite icon will appear in the top right corner of your browser next to the address bar.

To block your first website, click the BlockSite icon. A small window will open. Click the plus sign (+) button. Type the website address you want to block — for example, "facebook.com" or "youtube.com" — and click Add. The site is now blocked. Repeat this step for each site you want to block.

Test it by trying to visit one of the blocked sites. Instead of loading the webpage, you will see a message saying the site is blocked. To unblock a site later, click the BlockSite icon, find the site in the list, and click the trash icon next to it.

Other extensions that block websites

LeechBlock NG is another free option that works similarly to BlockSite. It lets you create a list of blocked sites and also allows you to set time-based rules — for example, you can block social media sites during work hours but allow them after 5 p.m. To use it, install it from the Chrome Web Store the same way you would BlockSite, then click the icon to add sites and configure your schedule.

Freedom is a paid extension (with a free trial) that blocks websites and apps across multiple devices. It is more powerful than BlockSite but costs money after the trial ends. If you want to block sites on your phone, tablet, and computer all at once, Freedom may be worth the cost.

Cold Turkey is another paid option that blocks websites and can even lock you out of your entire computer during set times. It is designed for people who need serious restrictions and cannot easily bypass the blocker. Like Freedom, it costs money but offers more control than free extensions.

For most people, BlockSite or LeechBlock NG will do the job. Both are free, easy to set up, and work reliably. Choose BlockSite if you want simplicity; choose LeechBlock NG if you want to set schedules for when sites are blocked.

Blocking websites for someone else on a shared computer

If you want to block sites for a child or another person who uses your computer, a browser extension alone is not enough — they can uninstall it. Chrome's supervised user accounts offer stronger control. When you set up a supervised account, you can block sites and the account holder cannot remove the restrictions without your permission.

To create a supervised account, open Chrome and click your profile icon in the top right corner. Select Manage your Google Account, then go to the Family tab. Click Create a supervised account and follow the steps. Once the account is created, go back to the Family tab, click the account you just made, and scroll down to Manage sites. You can add websites to a blocklist here.

The supervised account holder will see blocked sites when they try to visit them, and they cannot change the settings without your approval. This method is more secure than an extension if you need to enforce restrictions on someone else's account.

What happens when you try to visit a blocked site

When you attempt to visit a blocked website, your browser will not load the page. Instead, you will see a message from the blocking extension (or from Chrome's supervised account system) telling you the site is blocked. The exact message depends on which extension you use, but it will always be clear that the site is unavailable.

With BlockSite, the message includes a button that says Unlock. If you click it, the extension will ask you to confirm that you want to unblock the site. This extra step is intentional — it gives you a moment to reconsider before you visit the site. Some people find this pause helpful when they are trying to break a browsing habit.

If you use a supervised account, the message will say the site is blocked by your account administrator. The supervised user cannot unblock it themselves; only the administrator (you) can remove it from the blocklist.

Blocking websites does not work on other browsers

A Chrome extension only blocks sites when you use Chrome. If you open Firefox, Safari, or Edge, the blocked sites will load normally because the extension does not run in those browsers. If you want to block sites across all browsers on your computer, you would need to use a tool like Cold Turkey or Freedom, which work at the operating system level rather than inside a single browser.

For most people, blocking sites in Chrome alone is enough. But if you find yourself switching to another browser to visit blocked sites, consider whether a more comprehensive tool would help you reach your goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone uninstall BlockSite if they know the password?

Yes. Browser extensions can be uninstalled by anyone with access to the computer, even if they do not know your password. If you need to prevent someone from removing the blocker, use Chrome's supervised user accounts instead, which require administrator permission to change.

Will blocking a website in Chrome block it on my phone?

No. Chrome extensions only work on your computer. If you sign into Chrome on your phone, the blocked sites will still load. To block sites on your phone, you would need to install a separate app or use a service like Freedom that works across devices.

What if I forget which sites I blocked?

Click the BlockSite icon in the top right corner of Chrome. Your entire blocklist will appear in the popup window. You can see every site you have added and remove any of them by clicking the trash icon.

Can I block a website only during certain hours?

BlockSite does not have built-in scheduling, but LeechBlock NG does. With LeechBlock NG, you can set rules like "block social media from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays" and allow it at other times. Install it the same way you would BlockSite, then click the icon to set up your schedule.

Does blocking a website use more of my internet or slow down Chrome?

No. Blocking extensions use very little computer power and do not affect your internet speed. They simply check the website address you are trying to visit against a list and stop the page from loading if there is a match.