How to Copy Text from Websites That Disable Copying

Many websites disable copy-paste functionality to protect their content. If you've ever tried to copy a recipe, research quote, or article excerpt and found yourself unable to, you know how frustrating this is. ## Why Websites Block Copying Websites block copying using JavaScript event listeners and CSS properties like `user-select: none`. Common reasons include: - **Copyright protection** — Publishers want to prevent content theft - **Licensing restrictions** — Paid content platforms restrict redistribution - **Security** — Banking sites may disable copy to prevent phishing ## The Easiest Solution: A Browser Extension The fastest fix is the **Enable Copy Everywhere** Chrome extension. It removes these restrictions with a single click. ### How to Use It 1. [Install Enable Copy Everywhere](/install) from the Chrome Web Store 2. Navigate to the website blocking your copying 3. Click the extension icon in your Chrome toolbar 4. Copy and paste as normal ## Other Methods (Without an Extension) If you prefer not to use an extension: - **Keyboard shortcuts** — Many sites block right-click but not `Ctrl+C` after text selection - **View Source** — Press `Ctrl+U` to open page source and find text there - **Print to PDF** — `Ctrl+P` → Save as PDF, then copy from the PDF The extension approach is by far the most convenient and works on virtually all sites. ## Related Guides - [Why websites disable copy-paste (and what you can do about it)](/blog/why-websites-disable-copy-paste) - [Best Chrome extensions to allow copy-paste in 2024](/blog/best-chrome-extensions-allow-copy-paste) - [How to enable copy-paste in blocked input fields](/blog/enable-copy-paste-blocked-input-fields)