The simplest way to block a website depends on what you're using

You can block a website at three different levels: in your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari), on your device (Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android), or through your internet connection (your router). Browser-level blocking is fastest and works immediately. Device-level blocking is harder to bypass if you're trying to protect someone else's access. Router-level blocking affects every device on your home network.

For most people, a browser extension is the right starting point. It takes five minutes to set up, works on any device where you log in, and you can adjust it anytime. If you're trying to prevent someone else from visiting certain sites — a child, for example — device or router blocking is more effective because it's harder to disable without the admin password.

Key Takeaways

  • Browser extensions like Freedom, Cold Turkey, or LeechBlock NG block websites instantly and let you set schedules or time limits.
  • Windows and Mac both have built-in parental controls that block sites at the device level, which is harder to bypass than browser blocking.
  • Your router can block websites for every device on your network, but requires you to log into your router's admin panel with a password.
  • If you're blocking sites for yourself, a browser extension is easiest; if you're protecting someone else, device or router blocking is more reliable.

Blocking websites in your browser with an extension

The fastest method is to install a browser extension. Three popular options are Freedom, Cold Turkey, and LeechBlock NG. All three work in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Freedom and Cold Turkey cost money (roughly $40 to $80 per year); LeechBlock NG is free.

To install one, go to the Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, or your browser's extension store, search for the name, and click "Add to Chrome" or the equivalent button. The extension will appear as an icon in your browser toolbar. Click it, enter the websites you want to block (for example, reddit.com or twitter.com), and set whether you want the block to run all the time or on a schedule. Most extensions let you set different rules for different times of day — for instance, blocking social media during work hours but allowing it in the evening.

The downside: if you're trying to block sites for someone else, they can uninstall the extension if they have access to your browser settings. Extensions work best when you're blocking sites for yourself.

Blocking websites on Windows using parental controls

Windows 10 and Windows 11 have a built-in feature called Family Safety that blocks websites at the device level. This is harder to bypass than a browser extension because it requires the admin password to disable.

To set it up, open Settings, go to Accounts, then Family & other users. Click "Add a family member" and create a child account (or link an existing Microsoft account). Once the account is set up, go back to Family & other users, click the account name, then click "App and game restrictions" or "Web and search restrictions" depending on your Windows version. Toggle on "Restrict websites" and add the sites you want to block in the list. The person using that account will see a blocked page if they try to visit those sites.

This only works if the person you're protecting is using a separate account on the same computer. If they have admin access to the computer, they can change the settings themselves.

Blocking websites on Mac using parental controls

Mac has a similar feature called Parental Controls (in older versions) or Screen Time (in newer versions). Open System Preferences or System Settings, find Screen Time, and click "Options." You can set up a separate user account and restrict websites for that account, or use Screen Time on a shared account with a separate passcode.

Click "Content & Privacy" and toggle it on. Then go to "Content Restrictions" and find "Web Content." Choose "Limit Adult Websites" for a broad filter, or click "Customize" to add specific sites to a blocklist. You'll need to set a Screen Time passcode so the person can't disable it without your password.

Like Windows, this works best if the person you're protecting has a separate account or you've set a passcode they don't know.

Blocking websites on your router

Your router — the device that connects your home to the internet — can block websites for every device on your network. This is the most comprehensive approach but also the most technical.

Log into your router's admin panel by typing your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a browser. You'll need the admin username and password, which are often printed on the router itself or in the manual. Once logged in, look for a section called "Parental Controls," "Access Control," "Website Filtering," or "Content Filtering" — the exact name varies by router brand.

Add the websites you want to block to a blocklist. Some routers let you block by keyword instead, so you can block any site containing the word "gambling" or "adult," for example. Save the settings and the block will apply to all devices on your network — phones, tablets, computers, everything.

The downside is that someone with the router admin password can disable the block. Also, blocking at the router level is less precise than blocking in a browser or on a device, so you may accidentally block legitimate sites that share a domain with a blocked one.

Blocking websites on iPhone or iPad

Apple's Screen Time feature blocks websites on iPhone and iPad. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions." Toggle on "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and set a passcode. Tap "Content Restrictions," then "Web Content."

Choose "Limit Adult Websites" for automatic filtering, or tap "Customize" to add specific sites to a blocklist. The block applies to Safari and most other browsers on that device. If the person using the device knows the Screen Time passcode, they can disable it.

Blocking websites on Android

Android doesn't have a built-in website blocker like iPhone does, but you have two options. The first is to use a browser extension in Chrome or Firefox if you're blocking sites for yourself. The second is to install a third-party app like AppBlock, Freedom, or Google Family Link.

Google Family Link is Google's parental control app. Install it on the child's device and on your own device, link them together, and you can set app and website restrictions from your phone. It's free and works across Android devices. AppBlock and Freedom are paid apps (roughly $3 to $5 per month) that let you block apps and websites on a schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone unblock a website if I've blocked it?

It depends on the method. Browser extensions are easiest to disable — anyone with access to the browser can uninstall it. Device-level blocking (Screen Time, Family Safety) requires a passcode to disable. Router-level blocking requires the router admin password. If you're trying to prevent someone from accessing a site, router or device blocking is more reliable than a browser extension.

Will blocking a website on my router slow down my internet?

No. Website blocking at the router level doesn't affect your internet speed. The router simply refuses to connect to the blocked domain, the same way it would if the site didn't exist. You may notice a slight delay when someone tries to visit a blocked site because the router has to check the URL against the blocklist, but it's usually less than a second.

Can I block a website on just one device if I have multiple devices at home?

Yes. Browser extensions and device-level controls (Screen Time, Family Safety) block only on the device where you set them up. Router-level blocking affects all devices on your network. If you want to block a site on one phone but not others, use the device's built-in controls or a browser extension.

What happens if I block a website by accident?

You can unblock it the same way you blocked it. In a browser extension, open the extension and remove the site from the blocklist. In device controls, go back to the settings and delete it from the blocked list. On your router, log back in and remove it from the blocklist. Changes usually take effect immediately.

Do I need to restart my device after blocking a website?

No. Browser extensions and device controls take effect immediately. Router-level blocks may take a few minutes to apply across all devices, but you don't need to restart anything. If a block doesn't seem to be working, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening your browser.