Whether you want to stop wasting hours on social media, protect children from adult content or keep employees focused, blocking websites in Google Chrome is easier than you might think. Chrome does not have a simple built-in block button for regular users, but there are several reliable ways to do it on computers and phones. This guide explains how to block websites on Chrome on Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone.
Quick overview of methods
| Method | Works on | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blocker extension | Windows, Mac, ChromeOS | Easy | Personal productivity |
| Google Family Link | Android, ChromeOS | Easy | Parents of kids under 13 or teens |
| Screen Time | iPhone, iPad, Mac | Easy | Apple devices |
| Hosts file | Windows, Mac | Medium | Blocking on one computer for all browsers |
| Router or DNS filter | Whole network | Medium | Entire household |
| Chrome policies | Managed computers | Advanced | Schools and businesses |
Method 1: Use a website blocker extension (Windows and Mac)
Extensions are the simplest way to block sites on desktop Chrome.
- Open the Chrome Web Store and search for a blocker such as BlockSite, LeechBlock NG or StayFocusd.
- Click Add to Chrome and confirm.
- Open the extension’s settings and add the sites you want to block, for example youtube.com or reddit.com.
- Optionally set a schedule, such as blocking social media during work hours.
- Turn on Allow in Incognito in the extension’s details page, otherwise people can bypass it in incognito mode.
Tip: Some extensions offer a password lock so the block cannot be removed easily. Check privacy policies before installing, since blockers can see the sites you visit.
Method 2: Block websites on Android with Family Link
Chrome for Android does not support extensions, so parents should use Google Family Link.
- Install Family Link on the parent’s phone and set up supervision for the child’s Google account.
- In Family Link, select your child and go to Controls, Content restrictions, Google Chrome.
- Choose Try to block explicit sites or Only allow approved sites.
- Under Manage sites, add specific sites to the Blocked list.
For blocking sites on your own Android phone, you can use a focus app such as Digital Wellbeing to limit apps, or a DNS filtering service in Settings, Network and internet, Private DNS.
Method 3: Block websites on iPhone and iPad with Screen Time
Screen Time controls apply to Chrome as well as Safari.
- Open Settings, Screen Time, Content and Privacy Restrictions and turn it on.
- Tap App Store, Media, Web and Games, then Web Content.
- Choose Limit Adult Websites and add sites under Never Allow.
- Set a Screen Time passcode so the settings cannot be changed.
Method 4: Edit the hosts file (Windows and Mac)
The hosts file blocks a site for every browser on the computer.
On Windows:
- Open Notepad as administrator.
- Open the file C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.
- Add lines such as 127.0.0.1 www.facebook.com and 127.0.0.1 facebook.com.
- Save the file and restart Chrome.
On Mac: open Terminal, type sudo nano /etc/hosts, add the same lines, save, and flush the DNS cache.
If Chrome still loads the site, turn off Use secure DNS in Chrome settings, because secure DNS can bypass the hosts file.
Method 5: Block websites at the router or with DNS
Blocking at the router protects every device on your home WiFi.
- Log in to your router’s admin page, often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
- Look for Parental Controls, Access Control or URL Filtering.
- Add the websites to block and save.
Alternatively, set your router’s DNS to a family filtering service such as Cloudflare for Families (1.1.1.3) or OpenDNS FamilyShield, which automatically blocks adult content.
Method 6: Chrome policies for schools and businesses
Organizations can use the URLBlocklist policy through Google Admin console or Windows Group Policy to block sites on managed Chrome browsers. This is the most robust method because users cannot remove it.
Frequently asked questions
Does Chrome have a built-in website blocker?
Not for regular users. You need an extension, Family Link, Screen Time or system-level methods.
Can I block websites in Chrome incognito mode?
Yes, if you allow the blocker extension in incognito. Family Link and Screen Time can also restrict incognito.
How do I block a website on Chrome without an extension?
Use the hosts file, router settings, Family Link or Screen Time.
Can kids get around website blocks?
Determined kids may try VPNs or other browsers. Router or DNS filters plus device controls are harder to bypass.
Best website blocker extensions compared
| Extension | Price | Schedules | Password lock | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlockSite | Free with paid upgrade | Yes | Paid | Popular, easy interface, syncs with phone app |
| LeechBlock NG | Free | Yes, very flexible | Yes | Open source, great for productivity |
| StayFocusd | Free | Daily time limits | Nuclear option | Limits total time per day on distracting sites |
| uBlock Origin | Free | No | No | Mainly an ad blocker, can block domains with custom filters |
| Cold Turkey | Free with paid upgrade | Yes | Yes | Desktop app plus extension, very hard to bypass |
For productivity, LeechBlock NG is a strong free choice. For a near-unbreakable block, Cold Turkey’s locked mode is hard to bypass even for yourself.
How to block websites for productivity
Blocking sites is one of the most effective ways to stop procrastinating. A few tips make it work better:
- Block by schedule, not forever. Block social media from 9 am to 5 pm and allow it in the evening so you do not feel deprived.
- Use time limits. Allow 15 or 30 minutes per day on distracting sites instead of a total ban.
- Block the apps too. If you block a site on Chrome but have the app on your phone, the habit moves to your phone. Use Digital Wellbeing on Android or Screen Time on iPhone for apps.
- Add friction. Use a password you write down and put away, or a delay timer before you can unblock.
- Block news and shopping sites if they eat your time, not just social media.
How to block adult content in Chrome
For families, combine several layers:
- Turn on SafeSearch in Google Search settings and lock it with Family Link if your child has a supervised account.
- Use a family DNS filter such as Cloudflare for Families on your router.
- Use Family Link on Android and Chromebooks, or Screen Time on Apple devices.
- Talk with kids about online safety, because no filter is perfect.
How to unblock a website in Chrome
If you blocked a site by mistake:
- Extension: open the extension’s settings and remove the site from the block list.
- Hosts file: delete the line for that site and save.
- Family Link: move the site from Blocked to Allowed.
- Screen Time: remove the site from Never Allow.
- Router: remove the URL filter and restart the router.
- Clear Chrome’s cache with Ctrl + Shift + Delete if the site still appears blocked.
Can Chrome block sites on its own?
Chrome Safe Browsing warns you about dangerous phishing and malware sites automatically. Keep it turned on at Settings, Privacy and security, Security, and choose Enhanced protection for stronger real-time checks. It will not block distracting sites, but it does block many scams.
Real examples
The student who kept scrolling. Jordan lost three hours a night to short videos while studying. He installed LeechBlock NG, blocked video and social sites from 6 pm to 10 pm on weekdays and set a two-minute delay before unblocking. His study time doubled within a week because the urge to check passed during the delay.
The parent with a 9-year-old. Maria set up Family Link for her son’s Android tablet, chose Only allow approved sites in Chrome and added his school and learning websites to the approved list. When he wants a new site, he sends a request that she approves from her own phone.
The small office. A five-person accounting firm wanted to block gambling and adult sites on every work computer. Instead of installing extensions on each PC, they changed the router DNS to a filtering service. Every device on the office network was protected in under ten minutes.
The remote worker. Sam blocked news sites with the hosts file on her laptop. When Chrome still loaded them, she turned off secure DNS in Chrome settings, and the block started working across every browser.
Mistakes to avoid when blocking websites
- Blocking only the www version. Add both example.com and www.example.com, and mobile versions like m.example.com.
- Forgetting incognito. Extensions do not run in incognito unless you allow them.
- Ignoring other browsers. A Chrome extension does nothing in Edge or Firefox. Use the hosts file, router or DNS for full coverage.
- Installing shady extensions. Stick to well-reviewed blockers with clear privacy policies.
- Relying on one layer for kids. Combine device controls with network filtering and conversations.
Which method should you choose?
| Your goal | Best method |
|---|---|
| Stop wasting time on your own laptop | LeechBlock NG or BlockSite with a schedule |
| Protect a young child on Android | Family Link with approved sites only |
| Protect a child on iPhone or iPad | Screen Time with Never Allow list |
| Protect everyone at home | Family DNS filter on the router |
| Block a site for all browsers on one PC | Hosts file |
| Manage many company computers | Chrome URLBlocklist policy |
The bottom line
To block websites on Chrome, use a blocker extension on desktop, Family Link on Android, Screen Time on iPhone, or block at the hosts file or router level for stronger protection. Combine methods for children. For more safety tips, see how to spot a fake website and how to create a strong password.
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