How to Block Reddit During Work Hours (2026)

Reddit is uniquely dangerous for productivity. Unlike YouTube or TikTok, which are obviously recreational, Reddit disguises itself as useful. You go to check one thread for a work question, and 40 minutes later you’re reading about someone’s landlord dispute in a subreddit you’ve never visited before.

The other problem: Reddit is technically complex to block. There’s reddit.com, old.reddit.com, new.reddit.com, i.reddit.com, www.reddit.com, individual subreddit URLs, the desktop app, and the mobile app. Block one and leave another open, and you’ll find the gap within minutes.

This guide covers every method for blocking Reddit during work hours — including how to catch all the subdomains.

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Quick Comparison

Method	Scheduled	Blocks all subdomains	Blocks Reddit app	Bypass difficulty
Browwwser	Yes	Yes	Yes	Very hard
Chrome extension (LeechBlock)	Yes	Depends	No	Low
Cold Turkey	Yes	Yes	Yes	Medium
Freedom	Yes	Yes	No	Medium
SelfControl	No	Yes	No	Hard
Screen Time (Apple)	Yes	Yes	Yes (mobile)	Medium
DNS blocking (NextDNS/Pi-hole)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Medium
Hosts file	No	Manual	No	Medium

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The Reddit Subdomain Problem

Before picking a method, you need to understand why Reddit is harder to block than most sites.

Reddit uses multiple subdomains that all serve content:

Domain	What it is
reddit.com	Main domain (redirects to new Reddit)
www.reddit.com	Same as above
old.reddit.com	Old Reddit interface (many power users prefer this)
new.reddit.com	Explicit new Reddit URL
i.reddit.com	Mobile web version
sh.reddit.com	Short-link redirects
preview.redd.it	Image previews
v.redd.it	Video hosting
i.redd.it	Image hosting

If you only block reddit.com, someone can type old.reddit.com and browse freely. A complete Reddit block needs to cover *.reddit.com and ideally *.redd.it too.

Most website blockers handle this — but not all. Check that your tool supports wildcard or subdomain blocking before relying on it.

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Block Reddit on Mac

Option 1: Browwwser (Browser Engine-Level)

Browwwser is a Chromium-based browser for macOS with blocking built directly into the browser engine. When you block Reddit, every subdomain is caught — old.reddit.com, new.reddit.com, i.reddit.com, all of them. The request is killed before the page starts loading.

How to block Reddit during work hours:

1. Open Browwwser and go to Settings
2. Add reddit.com to your blocklist (all subdomains are automatically covered)
3. Set a schedule: block weekdays 9 AM – 5 PM
4. Optional: enable Lock Mode to prevent yourself from changing the schedule

Block the Reddit desktop app: Browwwser also blocks macOS desktop apps. Add Reddit to your app blocklist — the app is force-closed when blocked.

Why this matters for Reddit: Because Browwwser is the browser itself, there’s no extension to disable when you’re tempted. During lock mode, you can’t change the blocklist, switch browsers, or use the Reddit app. The block holds even when your willpower doesn’t.

Limitation: macOS only.

Option 2: Screen Time (Built-in macOS)

Screen Time is free and built into macOS.

1. Open System Settings → Screen Time → App Limits
2. Click + → select Websites tab
3. Add reddit.com
4. Set a time limit (1 minute effectively blocks it)

Screen Time blocks all subdomains when you block the base domain. The weakness: you can override the limit with your passcode. If you’re blocking Reddit for yourself, you’ll need someone else to hold the passcode.

Option 3: Hosts File (Manual, Free)

The hosts file redirects domains before they reach the browser. Open Terminal:

sudo nano /etc/hosts

Add these lines:

127.0.0.1  reddit.com
127.0.0.1  www.reddit.com
127.0.0.1  old.reddit.com
127.0.0.1  new.reddit.com
127.0.0.1  i.reddit.com
127.0.0.1  sh.reddit.com

Save and flush the DNS cache:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache && sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Downsides: No scheduling — the block is on or off. You have to list every subdomain manually. Anyone with admin access can undo it. Doesn’t block the Reddit app. And you need to flush the DNS cache every time you change the file.

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Block Reddit on Chrome

Option 1: LeechBlock (Free, Scheduling)

LeechBlock is the best free Chrome extension for scheduled blocking.

1. Install LeechBlock from the Chrome Web Store
2. In Block Set 1, add: *.reddit.com and *.redd.it
3. Set the time period: select weekdays, set 09:00 – 17:00
4. Set the block behavior to “Block page” (not redirect)

The wildcard *.reddit.com catches every subdomain — old, new, mobile, all of them.

Tip: Enable LeechBlock’s password protection with a random string you can’t memorize. This makes it harder to disable on impulse.

Limitation: LeechBlock is a Chrome extension. You can disable it in chrome://extensions in two clicks. Password protection adds friction, but a determined user will find the toggle. For a deeper comparison of Chrome extensions for productivity, see our dedicated guide.

Option 2: StayFocusd (Free, Time Budget)

StayFocusd takes a different approach: instead of blocking Reddit entirely, it gives you a daily time budget.

1. Install StayFocusd from the Chrome Web Store
2. Add reddit.com to the blocked sites list
3. Set a daily maximum (e.g., 10 minutes)
4. Once the time is spent, Reddit is blocked for the rest of the day

This works well if you use Reddit for legitimate research but lose track of time. The time-budget approach is less restrictive than a hard block — you get your 10 minutes, then it’s gone.

For a hard block: Use StayFocusd’s “Nuclear Option” to block Reddit for a set period with no undo.

Limitation: Chrome only. Same extension-disabling weakness as LeechBlock.

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Block Reddit on Windows

Cold Turkey (Windows + Mac)

Cold Turkey blocks websites and desktop apps with a locked timer.

1. Add reddit.com to a block list (Cold Turkey handles subdomains)
2. Set a schedule for work hours
3. Start the block — it can’t be undone until the timer expires

Cold Turkey Pro ($39 one-time) blocks the Reddit desktop app and supports recurring schedules. The free version is limited to website blocking without scheduling.

Limitation: Browser blocking relies on a Chrome extension, which can be disabled. App blocking and the locked timer are strong. For a detailed comparison, see Cold Turkey vs Browwwser.

Freedom (Cross-Platform)

Freedom uses a local VPN to block sites across all browsers and apps.

1. Add reddit.com to a blocklist
2. Schedule recurring sessions for work hours
3. Enable Locked Mode to prevent canceling the session

Freedom works on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android — which matters if you use Reddit on multiple devices. For a full analysis, see Browwwser vs Freedom.

Limitation: VPN-based blocking can be bypassed by disconnecting the VPN. The Chrome extension can be disabled. Locked mode helps, but the bypass path exists.

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Block Reddit on iPhone and Android

iPhone: Screen Time

1. Go to Settings → Screen Time → App Limits
2. Tap Add Limit → Websites
3. Add reddit.com
4. Set a time limit

To block the Reddit app: Settings → Screen Time → App Limits → Add Limit → Social, then select Reddit.

Tip: Have someone else set the Screen Time passcode. If you know the passcode, you’ll use it.

Android: Digital Wellbeing

1. Go to Settings → Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls
2. Tap Dashboard → Reddit
3. Set a daily timer

Digital Wellbeing blocks the Reddit app after the timer expires. It doesn’t block Reddit in Chrome — for that, add a browser extension.

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Block Reddit at the Network Level

NextDNS (Cloud DNS Filtering)

NextDNS is a DNS filtering service that blocks domains before they resolve — across every device on your network.

1. Create a NextDNS account (free for up to 300K queries/month)
2. In the Denylist, add reddit.com (blocks all subdomains automatically)
3. Add redd.it (blocks Reddit’s image and video CDN)
4. Configure your router or devices to use your NextDNS DNS servers

Scheduling: NextDNS doesn’t support time-based blocking natively. You’d need to toggle the denylist manually or use a script.

Strength: Every device on your network is covered — browsers, apps, smart TVs. Bypassing requires changing DNS settings, which most people won’t think to do in a moment of weakness.

Pi-hole (Self-Hosted)

Pi-hole is a self-hosted DNS sinkhole. Same concept as NextDNS, but running on your own hardware (Raspberry Pi or a VM).

Add to your blocklist:

reddit.com
redd.it

Pi-hole blocks all subdomains by default. The advantage over NextDNS: you control the hardware, and there’s no query limit. The disadvantage: you need to set up and maintain the server.

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Which Method Should You Use?

”I need Reddit blocked during work hours and I don’t trust myself”

Use Browwwser (Mac) or Cold Turkey (Windows). Both support scheduling and lock mode. Browwwser’s engine-level blocking is the hardest to bypass; Cold Turkey’s locked timer is strong on Windows. If you’ve tried Chrome extensions and kept disabling them, Browwwser removes that option entirely.

”I want to limit Reddit, not block it completely”

Use StayFocusd (Chrome). Set a 10-15 minute daily budget. You get your Reddit fix, then it’s gone for the day. This works if your Reddit use is habitual but not compulsive.

”I need Reddit blocked on every device in my house”

Use NextDNS or Pi-hole. DNS-level blocking covers every browser, app, and device on your network. Pair it with Screen Time (iOS) or Digital Wellbeing (Android) for mobile app blocking.

”I want a free solution that works right now”

Use LeechBlock (Chrome/Firefox) for browser blocking. Set the schedule, use wildcard *.reddit.com, enable password protection. It’s free, it works, and the scheduling runs automatically. Accept the limitation: it’s an extension and can be disabled.

”I’m a student and need to focus during study sessions”

Use SelfControl (Mac, free) for hard blocks during study sessions — set a 2-4 hour timer and Reddit is gone at the firewall level. Pair with a focus timer for structure. For more on blocking strategies for studying, see how to improve focus.

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Don’t Forget the Desktop App

Reddit has desktop apps — both the official Electron app and various third-party clients. Blocking reddit.com in your browser does nothing to the desktop app.

Tools that block the Reddit desktop app:

• Browwwser — closes blocked macOS apps automatically
• Cold Turkey Pro — blocks Windows and macOS apps
• Screen Time (macOS/iOS) — can limit app usage
• Digital Wellbeing (Android) — can limit the mobile app

If you block Reddit in your browser but leave the desktop app installed, you’ll discover it within a day. Either block the app too or uninstall it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I block Reddit on Chrome?

Install a Chrome extension like LeechBlock or StayFocusd and add reddit.com to your blocklist. For stronger blocking that can’t be disabled from chrome://extensions, use a browser with engine-level blocking like Browwwser.

Can I block Reddit only during work hours?

Yes. LeechBlock, Browwwser, Freedom, and Cold Turkey all support scheduled blocking. Set 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays and Reddit is automatically blocked during those hours without any daily setup.

How do I block old.reddit.com and all Reddit subdomains?

You need to block *.reddit.com to catch old.reddit.com, new.reddit.com, i.reddit.com, and every subreddit path. Browser extensions and Browwwser handle this with wildcard blocking. DNS-level blocking (NextDNS, Pi-hole) blocks all subdomains by default when you block reddit.com.

Does blocking Reddit in the browser also block the Reddit app?

No. Browser-based blocking only affects the browser. To block the Reddit desktop app, use Browwwser (Mac) or Cold Turkey (Windows/Mac) which can close desktop apps. For the mobile Reddit app, use Screen Time (iOS) or Digital Wellbeing (Android).

What’s the hardest-to-bypass way to block Reddit?

Browser engine-level blocking (Browwwser) is the hardest to bypass — there’s no extension to disable and no workaround during lock mode. DNS-level blocking is also strong but can be bypassed by changing DNS settings. Extension-based blockers are the easiest to bypass. For a full ranking, see our best website blockers comparison.

Can I block specific subreddits but keep the rest of Reddit?

Most tools block at the domain level — it’s all or nothing. LeechBlock can block specific URL patterns (e.g., reddit.com/r/gaming), but users can still browse other subreddits. For work-hours blocking, a full domain block is more effective than trying to curate a subreddit blocklist.