If you want to stop yourself, a child, an employee, or another user from accessing a particular website, there are several ways to block it. The right method depends on where you want the restriction to apply.

You can block a website directly through parental controls, browser settings, operating-system features, browser extensions, or network-level filtering. Some methods affect only one browser, while others can restrict access across multiple apps and devices.

This guide explains how to block a website on Windows, Chrome, Android, iPhone, iPad, and Mac, along with options for blocking websites across a network.

What Does Blocking a Website Actually Mean?

Blocking a website means preventing a device, browser, user account, or network from loading a particular web address or domain.

For example, you might want to block:

• A distracting social media website during work
• A website containing inappropriate content
• A gaming website on a child’s device
• A website that employees should not access during work
• A website that you no longer want to visit yourself

The important thing to understand is that not every blocking method works at the same level.

A browser extension may block a website in one browser but not another. A parental-control system may apply restrictions to a particular child account. A network-level filter can affect devices connected to the same network.

How to Block a Website on Windows

Windows provides several ways to restrict websites. The best choice depends on whether you want to block a site for yourself, a child, or other users.

Method 1: Use Microsoft Family Safety

Microsoft Family Safety can be used to restrict websites for family members. Microsoft allows specific URLs to be added under blocked sites and also provides an option to allow only approved websites.

A typical setup is:

1. Sign in to your Microsoft account.
2. Open Microsoft Family Safety.
3. Select the relevant family member.
4. Open Content filters.
5. Go to the web and search settings.
6. Add the website under Blocked Sites.
7. Save the restriction.

Microsoft notes that its web and search filtering works with supported browsers and requires the relevant family member to use a supported browser while signed in.

This makes Family Safety particularly useful when you are managing website access for a child rather than simply trying to block a website for yourself.

Method 2: Use Managed Chrome Policies

For managed Windows computers, Chrome provides an administrator-controlled blocked URL list. Google documents a Block access to a list of URLs policy that administrators can use to restrict specified websites.

This approach is more appropriate for organizations, schools, or managed computers than for a typical personal device.

How to Block a Website on Google Chrome

Chrome’s normal site settings are primarily designed for controlling permissions such as notifications, camera, microphone, location, and other site features. They are not the same thing as a general website-blocking feature.

If you need to block an entire website in Chrome, common options include:

• Family Link for a child’s Google account
• Managed Chrome policies for organizational devices
• A reputable website-blocking extension
• Operating-system or network-level restrictions

Blocking Websites With Google Family Link

If Chrome is being used with a child’s Google account, Family Link provides controls for allowing or blocking specific websites.

Google’s current instructions include:

1. Open the Family Link app.
2. Select the child.
3. Go to Controls.
4. Select Google Chrome and Web.
5. Open Approved sites and Blocked sites.
6. Select Add a website.
7. Enter the website or domain you want to restrict.

Google explains that you can block specific websites or an entire domain. It also notes that website restrictions can differ depending on whether a specific website or broader domain is being controlled.

Family Link can also provide options such as allowing all sites except blocked ones, attempting to block explicit sites, or allowing only approved websites.

How to Block a Website on Android

Android provides built-in parental controls for certain web-content restrictions, while more specific website blocking can depend on the browser, Google account, or filtering solution being used.

On supported recent Android versions, Google provides web-content filtering through parental controls. The available settings can restrict explicit websites and filter explicit search results in supported Google and Chrome experiences.

For a specific website, you can also use Google Family Link when managing a child’s Google account.

The general process is:

1. Open Family Link.
2. Select the child.
3. Tap Controls.
4. Select Google Chrome and Web.
5. Open Blocked sites.
6. Add the website you want to restrict.

This is generally more useful for parental controls than simply changing a permission inside Chrome.

What About Blocking a Website for Yourself?

If you want to block distracting websites on your own Android phone, a website-blocking app or browser-specific solution may be more practical.

Before installing an app, check what permissions it requests and whether it can be easily disabled. A browser-only blocker will generally not prevent access through another browser or application.

How to Block a Website on iPhone or iPad

Apple provides website restrictions through Screen Time.

On supported iPhone and iPad versions, you can restrict web access through:

Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → App Store, Media, Web & Games → Web Content

Apple provides options including unrestricted access, limiting adult websites, and allowing only approved websites.

Block a Specific Website on iPhone

Apple also documents a specific website-blocking method:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Screen Time.
3. Open Content & Privacy Restrictions.
4. Turn on the restrictions.
5. Select App Store, Media, Web & Games.
6. Tap Web Content.
7. Select Limit Adult Websites.
8. Under Never Allow, tap Add Website.
9. Enter the website URL.

Apple’s documentation specifically supports adding URLs to a list of websites that should not be accessible.

For a child’s device, Apple also provides website controls through Family Sharing and newer parental-control features, including approved and blocked website lists.

How to Block a Website on Mac

Mac users can use Screen Time to control website access.

For a family member, Apple provides website filtering options through Screen Time, including Limit Adult Websites and Allowed Websites Only. You can also add specific websites to restricted lists.

A general route is:

1. Open the Apple menu.
2. Open System Settings.
3. Select Screen Time.
4. Open the relevant family member or restrictions.
5. Select Content & Privacy.
6. Open the web-content settings.
7. Add the website to the restricted list.

Apple also supports allowing only approved websites when stronger restrictions are required.

How to Block a Website in Firefox

Firefox does not provide the same built-in general website-blocking system as a dedicated parental-control platform.

One option is a browser extension designed to block websites.

Mozilla’s support documentation lists extensions such as LeechBlock NG and Block Site for restricting distracting or unwanted websites.

The limitation is important: a browser extension normally affects that browser only. Mozilla notes that extensions can be disabled by a knowledgeable user and do not automatically block the website in other browsers.

For stronger restrictions, use an operating-system, parental-control, or network-level solution instead.

How to Block a Website for Kids

If the goal is parental control, use the device’s built-in family-management tools where possible.

On Android and Chrome

Google Family Link can allow parents to manage websites that a child can access through Chrome. Parents can add specific websites to blocked or approved lists.

On iPhone and iPad

Apple Screen Time provides website restrictions and allows parents to control web content. Depending on the configuration, you can restrict adult websites, allow only approved websites, or block specific websites.

On Windows

Microsoft Family Safety can block specific websites and can also be configured to allow only approved websites. Microsoft notes that its web filtering depends on supported browsers and account configuration.

How to Block a Website on All Browsers

Blocking a website in one browser is not necessarily enough.

For example, if you install a Chrome extension that blocks a website, someone could potentially open Firefox, Edge, or another browser and access the same website.

If you need broader restrictions, consider using:

• Operating-system parental controls
• Managed browser policies
• Family-management software
• DNS-based filtering
• Router-level website filtering
• Network security or content-filtering systems

The appropriate method depends on who should be restricted and how difficult you need the restriction to be to bypass.

How to Block a Website on Your Entire Wi-Fi Network

If your goal is to prevent devices connected to your home or office network from accessing a website, router or DNS-level filtering can be more appropriate than a browser extension.

With network-level filtering, the restriction can potentially apply to multiple devices using the same connection.

The exact process varies by router and DNS provider, so the settings may be named differently.

Look for options such as:

• Parental controls
• Website blocking
• Access control
• URL filtering
• Content filtering
• DNS filtering
• Domain blocking

One advantage of this approach is that you don’t have to configure every browser separately.

However, network-level restrictions may not apply when a device switches to mobile data or another Wi-Fi network. VPNs and other network configurations can also change how traffic is handled.

Browser Blocking vs Device Blocking vs Network Blocking

Choosing the right level is important.

Method	Usually affects	Best suited for
Browser extension	One browser	Personal productivity
Browser policy	Managed browser	Schools and organizations
Family controls	Specific user/device	Parents and families
Operating-system controls	Device/user	Personal or family restrictions
DNS filtering	Devices using the configured DNS	Broader network filtering
Router controls	Connected network devices	Home or office networks

There is no single method that is ideal for every situation.

If you only want to stop yourself from opening a distracting website, a browser-based blocker may be enough. If you want to control a child’s internet access, built-in parental controls are generally more appropriate. If you manage multiple computers, centralized policies or network-level filtering may make more sense.

How to Block a Website Permanently

The word “permanently” can be misleading because most website restrictions can potentially be changed by someone who has sufficient access to the device, account, router, or administrator settings.

For a stronger restriction:

1. Choose a control that operates above the browser level.
2. Protect administrator or parental-control credentials.
3. Block the relevant domain rather than only one page when appropriate.
4. Consider multiple domains or subdomains if the service uses them.
5. Test the restriction in different browsers.
6. Test both normal and private/incognito browsing where applicable.
7. Check whether other devices or networks bypass the restriction.

For parental controls, keeping the administrator credentials separate from the restricted user’s account is particularly important.

Why Is a Blocked Website Still Accessible?

If a website continues to open after you block it, several things may be happening.

You blocked only one browser

A browser extension or browser-specific setting may not affect another browser.

You blocked a page instead of the domain

Blocking one URL may not prevent access to other pages on the same website.

The device is using another network

A Wi-Fi restriction may not apply when the device uses mobile data or a different Wi-Fi connection.

The restriction is configured for another user

Parental controls may apply to a specific account rather than every user on the device.

The blocking method is easy to disable

Some browser extensions can be removed or disabled by someone with sufficient permissions.

DNS or network settings have changed

A device may be using a different DNS service or network configuration than the one where the restriction was created.

How to Unblock a Website

The process for unblocking a website depends on how it was originally restricted.

For example, you may need to:

• Remove the website from a browser extension’s block list
• Remove a domain from Microsoft Family Safety
• Change Family Link’s blocked-site settings
• Remove a URL from iPhone Screen Time restrictions
• Change Mac Screen Time settings
• Remove a website from a router’s access-control list
• Change a DNS filtering rule

If a parent, school, employer, or administrator created the restriction, you may need the appropriate administrator or account holder to change it.

What Is the Best Way to Block a Website?

The answer depends on your goal rather than the website itself.

For personal productivity: a browser-based website blocker can be convenient.

For children: use the parental controls provided by Google, Apple, or Microsoft where appropriate.

For a managed workplace or school: administrator-controlled browser or network policies provide centralized management.

For multiple devices on the same network: router or DNS filtering can provide broader coverage.

The most important distinction is whether you want to block a website in one browser, one device, one user account, or an entire network.

Conclusion

There are several ways to block a website, and the right approach depends on where you need the restriction to work.

For a single browser, a website-blocking extension may be sufficient. For children, built-in parental controls such as Google Family Link, Apple Screen Time, or Microsoft Family Safety provide more structured controls. For organizations or multiple devices, managed browser policies or network-level filtering can provide broader coverage.

Before choosing a method, decide whether you need to restrict one browser, one device, a particular user, or every device connected to a network. That decision will determine which blocking method is most suitable for your situation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block a website without installing software?

Yes. Many devices provide built-in website restrictions. For example, Apple provides website controls through Screen Time, while Microsoft Family Safety and Google Family Link provide website restrictions for supported family-management scenarios.

How do I block a website on Chrome?

For a child’s Google account, you can use Family Link to add specific websites to the blocked list. For managed computers, Chrome also supports administrator-controlled blocked URL policies.

How do I block a website on my phone?

The method depends on whether you use Android or iPhone. Android provides parental web-content filtering on supported versions, while iPhone provides website restrictions through Screen Time.

Can I block a website on every browser?

Yes, but a browser extension alone generally will not do this. For broader coverage, use operating-system controls, managed policies, or network-level filtering.

Can I block a website for my child?

Yes. Google Family Link, Apple Screen Time, and Microsoft Family Safety all provide different forms of website restrictions for family accounts and devices.

Can a blocked website still be accessed?

Potentially. The result depends on how the website was blocked. Restrictions limited to one browser may not apply to another browser, and network restrictions may not apply when a device switches networks.

Can I block only one page instead of an entire website?

In some systems, yes. However, the available level of URL control depends on the blocking method. If you need to restrict an entire service, blocking the relevant domain may be more appropriate.

Can I temporarily block a website?

Yes. Some website-blocking extensions and productivity tools allow scheduled restrictions, while parental-control and network systems may provide different scheduling options.