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How to Block Websites While Studying

8 free methods to eliminate distractions and boost your focus. From browser extensions to system-level blocking.

✅ 100% Free Methods
✅ Works on All Platforms
✅ Step-by-Step Instructions

Quick Comparison

MethodDifficultyEffectivenessBest For
🔌Browser ExtensionsEasy85%Quick setup
⚙️Edit Hosts FileMedium95%Tech-savvy users
📡Router DNS FilteringMedium92%Whole home
🖥️Dedicated Blocking AppsEasy90%Maximum blocking
👨‍👩‍👧Built-in Parental ControlsEasy75%Built-in option
🌐Browser SettingsEasy60%Light blocking
🎯Focus & Distraction-Free ModesEasy70%Reducing temptation
🔒Combination Approach (Recommended)Medium98%Ultimate protection

Our Recommendation

Start with a browser extension (Block Site or StayFocusd) — it's the easiest and works well for most people.

If you need something stronger, edit your hosts file or use a dedicated app like Cold Turkey.

For maximum effectiveness, combine multiple methods — browser extension + hosts file + router DNS.

Detailed Instructions

🔌

Browser Extensions

Difficulty: EasyEffectiveness: 85%

Block Site

ChromeFirefoxEdge
Steps:
  1. Install the "Block Site" extension from your browser's extension store
  2. Click the extension icon and select "Block this site"
  3. Add websites to your block list
  4. Set up password protection to prevent disabling
✅ Pros
  • • Free
  • • Easy to install
  • • Works across all websites
  • • Has schedule features
❌ Cons
  • • Can be disabled
  • • Only works in that browser
  • • May slow down browser slightly

StayFocusd

Chrome
Steps:
  1. Install StayFocusd from Chrome Web Store
  2. Set your maximum daily time allowed for blocked sites
  3. Add websites to block (or entire categories like "social media")
  4. Enable "The Nuclear Option" to block all sites for a set time
✅ Pros
  • • Highly customizable
  • • Time limits instead of full blocking
  • • Category-based blocking
❌ Cons
  • • Chrome only
  • • Advanced settings can be complex
  • • Can be disabled

LeechBlock

FirefoxChromeEdge
Steps:
  1. Install LeechBlock NG
  2. Create sets of sites to block (e.g., "Social Media", "News")
  3. Set time limits and schedules for each set
  4. Lock your settings with a password
✅ Pros
  • • Cross-platform
  • • Multiple block lists
  • • Time-based blocking
  • • Free
❌ Cons
  • • Setup can be complex
  • • Interface feels dated
  • • Can be disabled
⚙️

Edit Hosts File

Difficulty: MediumEffectiveness: 95%

Windows Hosts File

Windows
Steps:
  1. Open Notepad as Administrator (right-click → Run as Administrator)
  2. Open C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
  3. Add a new line at the bottom: "127.0.0.1 facebook.com"
  4. Repeat for each site you want to block
  5. Save the file (File → Save)
  6. Flush DNS: Open Command Prompt and run "ipconfig /flushdns"
✅ Pros
  • • System-wide blocking
  • • Affects all browsers
  • • Harder to disable
  • • Completely free
❌ Cons
  • • Requires technical knowledge
  • • Tedious to add many sites
  • • No schedule options

Mac/Linux Hosts File

MacLinux
Steps:
  1. Open Terminal
  2. Type: "sudo nano /etc/hosts" and enter your password
  3. Use arrow keys to navigate to the bottom
  4. Add a new line: "127.0.0.1 facebook.com"
  5. Press Ctrl+O to save, then Ctrl+X to exit
  6. Flush DNS: "sudo dscacheutil -flushcache && sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder"
✅ Pros
  • • System-wide blocking
  • • Affects all browsers
  • • Harder to bypass
  • • Free
❌ Cons
  • • Requires Terminal usage
  • • No user-friendly interface
  • • Manual setup
📡

Router DNS Filtering

Difficulty: MediumEffectiveness: 92%

OpenDNS FamilyShield

All devices on network
Steps:
  1. Log into your router (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
  2. Find DNS settings (often under WAN or Internet settings)
  3. Change Primary DNS to 208.67.222.123
  4. Change Secondary DNS to 208.67.220.123
  5. Save and restart router
✅ Pros
  • • Network-wide blocking
  • • Blocks adult content automatically
  • • Hard to bypass
  • • Free
❌ Cons
  • • Blocks for ALL devices
  • • Limited customization
  • • Affects entire network speed

Cloudflare for Families

All devices on network
Steps:
  1. Create a free account at Cloudflare for Families
  2. Create your blocking preferences (categories, specific sites)
  3. Get your DNS addresses (1.1.1.2 and 1.0.0.2)
  4. Update your router DNS settings or device DNS
✅ Pros
  • • Free
  • • Highly customizable
  • • Detailed analytics
  • • Good mobile app
❌ Cons
  • • Requires account setup
  • • Might slow internet slightly
  • • Takes time to configure
🖥️

Dedicated Blocking Apps

Difficulty: EasyEffectiveness: 90%

Cold Turkey

WindowsMac
Steps:
  1. Download and install Cold Turkey
  2. Add websites, apps, or entire categories to block
  3. Set up block sessions (duration, schedule)
  4. Start a block session - it CANNOT be stopped
✅ Pros
  • • Extremely hard to disable
  • • Blocks both websites and apps
  • • Highly effective
  • • Free tier available
❌ Cons
  • • Free tier limited
  • • Can feel restrictive
  • • No undo once block starts

Freedom

WindowsMaciOSAndroid
Steps:
  1. Install Freedom on your devices
  2. Create a block session and add distracting sites/apps
  3. Set duration and schedule
  4. Start the session - all distractions blocked
✅ Pros
  • • Cross-platform sync
  • • Blocks websites AND apps
  • • Scheduled sessions
  • • User-friendly
❌ Cons
  • • Paid after trial
  • • Can be disabled on some devices
  • • Subscription required

SelfControl (Mac)

Mac
Steps:
  1. Install SelfControl (free, open-source)
  2. Add websites to block list
  3. Set block duration (e.g., 24 hours)
  4. Click "Start" - blocking CANNOT be undone
✅ Pros
  • • Completely free
  • • Impossible to disable once started
  • • Open-source
❌ Cons
  • • Mac only
  • • No mobile app
  • • Basic interface
👨‍👩‍👧

Built-in Parental Controls

Difficulty: EasyEffectiveness: 75%

Screen Time (Mac)

Mac
Steps:
  1. Open System Preferences → Screen Time
  2. Go to "Content & Privacy" → "Content Restrictions"
  3. Select "Limit Adult Websites"
  4. Add specific websites to never allow
✅ Pros
  • • Built into macOS
  • • Free
  • • No installation needed
  • • Apple-integrated
❌ Cons
  • • Mac only
  • • Easy to disable (no password required by default)
  • • Limited customization

Family Safety (Windows)

Windows
Steps:
  1. Open Microsoft Family Safety app
  2. Create a child account (or use your own)
  3. Set up web filtering
  4. Add sites to block list
✅ Pros
  • • Built into Windows
  • • Free
  • • Syncs across devices
  • • Activity reports
❌ Cons
  • • Requires Microsoft account
  • • Easy for adults to bypass
  • • Limited features
🌐

Browser Settings

Difficulty: EasyEffectiveness: 60%

Chrome Extensions (Simple)

Chrome
Steps:
  1. Open Chrome Settings → Extensions
  2. Chrome Web Store → Search "site blocker"
  3. Install a simple blocker like "SiteBlocker"
  4. Add sites to block in extension options
✅ Pros
  • • Very easy
  • • Quick setup
  • • Free
❌ Cons
  • • Easy to disable
  • • Limited features
  • • Browser-only
🎯

Focus & Distraction-Free Modes

Difficulty: EasyEffectiveness: 70%

Browser Focus Modes

ChromeFirefoxSafari
Steps:
  1. Chrome: Use "Tab Suspender" extensions
  2. Firefox: Use "Multi-Account Containers" for work/personal
  3. Safari: Enable "Private Browsing" for work sessions
✅ Pros
  • • Reduces temptation
  • • Keeps work separate
  • • Easy to toggle
❌ Cons
  • • Doesn't block sites
  • • Requires self-discipline
  • • More of a helper than blocker
🔒

Combination Approach (Recommended)

Difficulty: MediumEffectiveness: 98%

Multi-Layer Blocking

All
Steps:
  1. Layer 1: Use a browser extension for easy blocking
  2. Layer 2: Edit hosts file for hard-to-bypass blocking
  3. Layer 3: Use router DNS for network-wide protection
  4. Layer 4: Add app-based blocking for extreme focus sessions
✅ Pros
  • • Extremely effective
  • • Hard to bypass
  • • Comprehensive protection
❌ Cons
  • • Complex setup
  • • Time-consuming
  • • May feel restrictive

Pro Tips for Effective Website Blocking

Use Password Protection

Always set a password on your blocking tools. Make it something you won't remember, or have a friend set it for you.

Start Small

Don't block everything at once. Start with your 2-3 biggest distractions, then add more as you adjust.

Allow Yourself Breaks

Use blocking tools with schedules. Allow yourself access during lunch or after work. Total blocks often fail.

Don't Forget Your Phone

Use app blockers on your phone too. Try Freedom, Cold Turkey, or built-in screen time settings.

Test Your Website Blocker

Not sure if your blocking tool is working? Use our free Website Blocker Checker to test if distractions are actually blocked:

Test My Blocker

Combine Blocking with Pomodoro for Maximum Focus

Website blocking eliminates distractions. The Pomodoro Technique structures your focus time. Together, they're unstoppable.

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