You can block websites on your computer using built-in browser tools or free extensions

The fastest way to block a website is through your browser's settings or a free blocking extension. Chrome, Firefox, and Safari all have options, though the method differs slightly on each one. If you want to block sites across your whole computer rather than just one browser, you'll need a separate tool — but most people find a browser-based block is enough.

The blocks you set up are local, meaning they only work on your device. If someone else uses your computer with a different user account, they won't see the blocks unless you set them up there too. If you're trying to prevent someone else from visiting certain sites, you'll need to set a password on the block so they can't turn it off.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's built-in parental controls and free extensions like Freedom or Cold Turkey let you block sites without leaving your browser.
  • Firefox users can install extensions like LeechBlock NG or uBlock Origin to create a blocked-sites list that stops the page from loading.
  • Safari has fewer native blocking options, but you can use Screen Time on Mac to block sites, or install third-party extensions.
  • Blocking a site on your browser only affects that browser — if you use multiple browsers, you'll need to set blocks on each one separately.
  • If you want the block to be hard to bypass, set a password when you create it, or use parental controls that require authentication to disable.

Blocking websites in Chrome

Chrome has two main routes: parental controls built into your Google account, or a free extension. The parental controls work across any device you sign into with that account, while extensions only work in Chrome on that specific computer.

To use Chrome's parental controls, open Chrome and go to Settings (the three vertical dots in the top right). Click You and Google, then Manage your Google Account. Go to the Family tab. If you haven't set up a family group yet, click Create a family group and follow the prompts. Once your family group exists, click on the account you want to restrict, then Parental controls. Turn on Parental controls, set a PIN, and go to Manage sites. Add the URLs you want to block — you can block entire domains like "facebook.com" or specific pages.

If you prefer an extension, search the Chrome Web Store for "site blocker" and install one like Freedom, Cold Turkey Blocker, or LeechBlock NG. Each works slightly differently, but they all let you type in a list of sites and set times when the block is active. Some let you set a password so the block can't be turned off without it.

Blocking websites in Firefox

Firefox doesn't have built-in parental controls like Chrome, so you'll use an extension. The most popular choices are LeechBlock NG and uBlock Origin. LeechBlock NG is designed specifically for blocking sites; uBlock Origin is primarily an ad blocker but can block sites too.

To install LeechBlock NG, go to about:addons in your address bar (or click the menu button, then Add-ons and themes). Search for "LeechBlock NG" and click Add to Firefox. Once installed, click the extension icon (it looks like a chain link) and go to Settings. Under Block sets, create a new set and add the websites you want to block in the Sites field. You can set times when the block is active, or leave it on all the time. To password-protect it, scroll down to Password and enter one.

If you use uBlock Origin instead, the process is similar: install it from the add-ons page, click the extension icon, and go to Settings. Go to the My filters tab and add lines like ||facebook.com^ for each site you want to block. This method is more technical but gives you finer control.

Blocking websites on Mac using Screen Time

If you use Safari on a Mac, the easiest built-in option is Screen Time. This is Apple's parental control system, and it works for all apps and websites on your Mac, not just Safari.

Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Click Screen Time. If this is your first time, click Turn On. You'll be asked whether to set it up for yourself or a family member — choose the account you want to restrict. Set a Screen Time passcode (you'll need this to turn off the restrictions later). Go to Content & Privacy, then Content Restrictions. Turn on Web Content and select Unrestricted Access or Limit Adult Websites. If you choose Limit Adult Websites, click Customize to add specific sites to a blocklist.

The downside of Screen Time is that it's designed for parental controls and can feel heavy-handed if you're just trying to block a few sites for yourself. If you want something lighter, you can install a Safari extension instead. Search the App Store for "site blocker" and install one like 1Blocker or Wipr.

Blocking websites on Windows using parental controls

Windows 10 and 11 have built-in parental controls called Family Safety that work across your whole computer. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Family & other people. Click Add a family member and follow the prompts to create or link an account. Once the account is set up, click it and select Parental controls. Go to App and game restrictions or Web and search (depending on your Windows version). Under Web and search, turn on Block inappropriate websites and add specific sites to your blocklist.

If you don't want to use Family Safety, you can install a browser extension instead. The steps are the same as for Chrome or Firefox above — search your browser's extension store for a site blocker and install one.

What to do if you forget your block password

If you set a password on your block and forget it, your options depend on which tool you used. For Chrome parental controls, you can reset it by signing into your Google Account on a different device and changing the PIN in the Family settings. For Firefox or Chrome extensions, most let you uninstall and reinstall the extension to reset it, though you'll lose your blocklist. For Windows Family Safety, you can reset it from another admin account on the same computer.

If you're locked out of your own Mac or Windows account, you'll need to reset your account password through your operating system's recovery process — this is more involved and varies by device. The easiest way to avoid this is to write down your password somewhere safe when you first set it.

Blocking websites across multiple browsers at once

If you use Chrome, Firefox, and Safari on the same computer and want to block the same sites on all of them, you have two choices: set up blocks on each browser separately, or use a system-level tool.

System-level blocking works on your computer's network settings or hosts file, which affects all browsers at once. On Mac, you can use parental controls in Screen Time (which blocks across all browsers). On Windows, Family Safety does the same. Both are easier than editing your hosts file, which requires technical knowledge.

If you want to block sites on your phone or tablet as well as your computer, most extensions and parental controls don't sync across devices. You'll need to set up blocks separately on each device, or use a service like OpenDNS or Cloudflare for Families, which blocks sites at the network level — but these require changing your internet settings and are more complex to set up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone bypass a website block I set up?

If you didn't set a password, yes — they can uninstall the extension or turn off the block in settings. If you did set a password, they would need that password. For parental controls like Chrome Family or Windows Family Safety, the block is harder to bypass because it's tied to your account, not just the browser.

Will blocking a website on my computer block it on my phone too?

No. Blocks you set in your browser or on your computer only work on that device. Your phone has its own browsers and settings. You would need to set up blocks separately on your phone using its parental controls or a mobile app.

What if I block a site by mistake and need to unblock it?

Go back into the same tool where you set the block — your browser extension settings, Chrome parental controls, or Windows Family Safety — and remove the site from the blocklist. If you password-protected it, you'll need to enter the password first.

Does blocking a website hide it from my browser history?

No. Blocking a site stops you from visiting it, but if you tried to visit it before you set the block, it will still appear in your history. If you want to hide your history, you'll need to delete it separately in your browser settings.

Can I block a website only during certain hours?

Yes, most extensions and parental controls let you set schedules. In Chrome parental controls, you can set downtime hours. In Firefox extensions like LeechBlock NG, you can specify which days and times the block is active. Windows Family Safety and Mac Screen Time also have scheduling options.