Google Chrome doesn’t have a built-in way to block websites. The easiest option is a free blocker extension such as BlockSite from the Chrome Web Store. To block sites for a child, use Google Family Link. To block a site for every browser on a Windows PC, edit the hosts file.
Which method is best depends on who you are blocking the site for and how hard it should be to get around. The four options below start with the quickest.
Ways to Block a Website on Chrome
- Blocker extension: quick and flexible, but anyone using the computer can turn it off.
- Google Family Link: best for kids. Works when the child is signed in to Chrome with their Google account.
- Hosts file: blocks the site in every browser on one Windows PC. Needs administrator access.
- Router or DNS filter: blocks the site on every device on your home network.
Method 1: Block a Website With a Chrome Extension
- Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store.
- Search for a site blocker, such as BlockSite.
- Click Add to Chrome, then Add extension.
- Open the extension from the puzzle piece icon next to the address bar.
- Type the website address you want to block and add it to the block list.
Most blockers can also set schedules, such as blocking social media during work hours. Extensions are made by other companies, so check the reviews and permissions first. If you change your mind later, here’s how to remove an extension from Chrome.
Method 2: Block Websites for a Child With Family Link
These steps follow Google’s Family Link help page:
- Open the Family Link app on your phone.
- Select your child.
- Tap Controls, then Google Chrome and Web.
- Under Manage sites, tap Approved sites and Blocked sites.
- Tap Add a website and enter the address, such as www.example.com.
Google notes that these rules only apply while your child is signed in to Chrome with their Family Link account.
Method 3: Block a Website on a Windows PC With the Hosts File
- Open Notepad as an administrator.
- Open the file
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. Choose All files in the file type list so it shows up. - Add a new line at the bottom:
127.0.0.1 www.example.com, using the site you want to block. - Add a second line without the www, such as
127.0.0.1 example.com. - Save the file and restart Chrome.
The site now fails to load in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox on that PC. For the full walkthrough, see how to edit the hosts file in Windows 11.
Method 4: Block a Website on Your Whole Network
Most home routers have a Parental controls or Access control section where you can block a website for every phone, tablet, and computer on your Wi-Fi. A filtering DNS service can do the same thing. The steps depend on your router, so check its app or manual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block a website in Chrome without an extension?
Not with a Chrome setting. Without an extension, use Family Link, the hosts file, your router, or a workplace policy managed by an administrator.
How do I block a website on Chrome for Android or iPhone?
Use Family Link for a child’s phone. On an iPhone, you can also use Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions to limit adult websites.
How do I unblock a site later?
Remove it from the extension’s list, Family Link, or the hosts file. If a site is still blocked, see how to unblock websites on Windows 11.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.