UK area code
0161 area code — Manchester
0161 is Ofcom’s Manchester numbering area, in Greater Manchester, North West England. 187 phone companies hold its 705 allocated number blocks. Visitors have checked 338 different 0161 numbers here. Its numbers are written like 0161 234 5678. The nearest other codes are 01706 Rochdale (16 km) and 01457 Glossop (20 km).
0161 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Manchester
- County
- Greater Manchester
- Council area
- Manchester
- Region
- North West England
- Number format
- 0161 234 5678 (3+7)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 061)
- Allocated blocks
- 705 of 1,000 (71%) across 187 providers
- Newest block
- 18 June 2026 (8 in the last 12 months)
Sources: Ofcom numbering data (weekly) and area-code list, Ofcom Numbering Plan, ONS geography.
What people check and report about 0161 numbers
From searches in our lookup form since 13 May 2026 and the verdicts and reports visitors left. A check means someone typed the number in, usually after a missed call.
- Checks
- 430
- Different numbers checked
- 338
- Different people checking
- 395
That makes 0161 numbers the 2nd most-checked of the 443 UK area codes people have looked up here.
By day of the week
Busiest: Tuesday (23% of checks)
By hour (UK time)
Busiest: 11am–12pm; the three busiest hours hold 33% of checks
Caller verdicts on 0161 numbers: 6
Scam 83% (5) · Nuisance 17% (1) · Safe 0% (0)
Latest comments
“They said they were Royal London Insurance,when I phoned back it was a recording of r”
Scam · 0161 573 1468 · 29 Sept 2026
“claimed I was in a queue but they gave no context as to who's queue I was in and what for”
Scam · 0161 294 4795 · 29 Sept 2026
Most-reported and most-checked 0161 numbers
| Number | Verdicts | Reports | People checking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0161 200 1234 | 1 scam | — | 32 |
| 0161 732 1259 | 1 nuisance | — | 3 |
| 0161 573 1468 | 1 scam | — | 2 |
| 0161 294 4795 | 1 scam | — | 1 |
| 0161 457 3909 | 1 scam | — | 1 |
If a 0161 number called you
Most verdicts on these numbers say scam, so treat unexpected calls as possible scams.
- 1
Call back on a number you trust
If a caller says they're your bank, HMRC, a courier or a council, hang up and ring the organisation on the number from its website or your statement, never the number that called you. Caller ID can be faked.
- 2
Forward it to 7726
On a mobile, copy the caller's number from your recent calls and text it to 7726 (it spells SPAM). Scam texts can be forwarded to 7726 as they are. It's free, and your network uses the reports to investigate and block numbers.
- 3
If you lost money or shared details
Call your bank on the number on your card (or 159 to reach most UK banks safely), then report it to Report Fraud online or on 0300 123 2040. Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud on 4 December 2025 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland; in Scotland call Police Scotland on 101.
0161 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 0161 use Ofcom's 3+7 format: the 4-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 7-digit local number — written like 0161 234 5678.
Before 1995: 0161 took its current form at PhONEday on 16 April 1995, when a "1" was inserted into every UK geographic code — before that the area dialled 061.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 0161 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 0161 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 0161 was allocated on 15 July 1994, and the most recent on 18 June 2026. 8 blocks were allocated in the last 12 months — newly-activated ranges with no call history, which is worth knowing when an unfamiliar 0161 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 0161 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 0161, by allocated blocks. The holder is the company Ofcom allocated the block to; a number can since have been ported to another provider (see range holder vs current provider).
| Range holder | Allocated | All blocks | First block | Latest block |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BT | 273 | 273 | 15 July 1994 | 26 May 2026 |
| Vodafone Ltd (C&W) | 65 | 65 | 18 June 2013 | 16 November 2021 |
| Virgin Media Limited | 48 | 48 | 15 July 1994 | 16 March 2016 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 32 | 32 | 12 February 2002 | 3 February 2026 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 21 | 21 | 30 March 2017 | 22 December 2023 |
| Sky UK Limited | 16 | 16 | 10 June 2013 | 3 October 2016 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 16 | 16 | 9 October 2003 | 22 March 2019 |
| Colt Technology Services | 12 | 12 | 1 October 1998 | 18 June 2026 |
| Magrathea Telecommunications Limited | 6 | 6 | 1 March 2004 | 1 June 2023 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 3 | 3 | 1 November 2004 | 24 February 2020 |
| Alphatalk Limited | 3 | 3 | 31 January 2014 | 31 January 2014 |
| Barritel Limited | 3 | 3 | 14 February 2006 | 22 June 2007 |
| Datazero Ltd | 3 | 3 | 2 November 2010 | 29 April 2019 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 3 | 3 | 16 May 2008 | 12 April 2016 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 3 | 3 | 22 February 2016 | 22 January 2024 |
| Relax Telecom Limited | 3 | 3 | 6 February 2009 | 10 November 2014 |
| Verizon UK Limited | 3 | 3 | 21 January 2000 | 9 April 2009 |
| Voxbone SA | 3 | 3 | 25 October 2007 | 26 September 2025 |
| Adepteo Limited | 2 | 2 | 27 February 2015 | 6 December 2016 |
| Cloudcall Limited | 2 | 2 | 21 June 2011 | 20 November 2015 |
| Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited | 2 | 2 | 7 January 2013 | 21 May 2019 |
| Core Telecom Limited | 2 | 2 | 11 April 2007 | 6 August 2010 |
| DRD Communications Limited | 2 | 2 | 8 September 2004 | 5 October 2023 |
| Digitech Solutions Global Limited | 2 | 2 | 17 March 2010 | 26 June 2012 |
| Hyperoptic Ltd | 2 | 2 | 12 May 2016 | 11 November 2019 |
| IOVOX Limited | 2 | 2 | 5 March 2012 | 12 December 2016 |
| Internet of Things Limited | 2 | 2 | 13 August 2018 | 13 July 2021 |
| Lumen Technologies UK Limited | 2 | 2 | 27 February 1998 | 17 May 2004 |
| Media Hawk Ltd | 2 | 2 | 26 September 2011 | 1 July 2020 |
| Nexbridge Communications Limited | 2 | 2 | 9 January 2012 | 7 July 2021 |
Showing the 30 largest of 187 holders.
All number blocks on 0161first 200 of 1,000, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 161000 | Allocated | Virgin Media Limited |
| +44 161001 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 161002 | Protected | — |
| +44 161003 | Protected | — |
| +44 161004 | Protected | — |
| +44 161005 | Protected | — |
| +44 161006 | Protected | — |
| +44 161007 | Allocated | Virgin Media Limited |
| +44 161008 | Protected | — |
| +44 161009 | Protected | — |
| +44 161010 | Allocated | Adepteo Limited |
| +44 161011 | Allocated | Telet Research (NI) Limited |
| +44 161012 | Protected | — |
| +44 161013 | Protected | — |
| +44 161014 | Protected | — |
| +44 161015 | Protected | — |
| +44 161016 | Protected | — |
| +44 161017 | Protected | — |
| +44 161018 | Protected | — |
| +44 161019 | Protected | — |
| +44 161020 | Protected | — |
| +44 161021 | Protected | — |
| +44 161022 | Protected | — |
| +44 161023 | Protected | — |
| +44 161024 | Protected | — |
| +44 161025 | Protected | — |
| +44 161026 | Protected | — |
| +44 161027 | Protected | — |
| +44 161028 | Protected | — |
| +44 161029 | Protected | — |
| +44 161030 | Protected | — |
| +44 161031 | Protected | — |
| +44 161032 | Protected | — |
| +44 161033 | Protected | — |
| +44 161034 | Protected | — |
| +44 161035 | Protected | — |
| +44 161036 | Protected | — |
| +44 161037 | Protected | — |
| +44 161038 | Protected | — |
| +44 161039 | Protected | — |
| +44 161040 | Protected | — |
| +44 161041 | Protected | — |
| +44 161042 | Protected | — |
| +44 161043 | Protected | — |
| +44 161044 | Protected | — |
| +44 161045 | Protected | — |
| +44 161046 | Protected | — |
| +44 161047 | Protected | — |
| +44 161048 | Protected | — |
| +44 161049 | Protected | — |
| +44 161050 | Protected | — |
| +44 161051 | Protected | — |
| +44 161052 | Protected | — |
| +44 161053 | Protected | — |
| +44 161054 | Protected | — |
| +44 161055 | Protected | — |
| +44 161056 | Protected | — |
| +44 161057 | Protected | — |
| +44 161058 | Protected | — |
| +44 161059 | Protected | — |
| +44 161060 | Protected | — |
| +44 161061 | Protected | — |
| +44 161062 | Protected | — |
| +44 161063 | Protected | — |
| +44 161064 | Protected | — |
| +44 161065 | Protected | — |
| +44 161066 | Protected | — |
| +44 161067 | Protected | — |
| +44 161068 | Protected | — |
| +44 161069 | Protected | — |
| +44 161070 | Protected | — |
| +44 161071 | Protected | — |
| +44 161072 | Protected | — |
| +44 161073 | Protected | — |
| +44 161074 | Protected | — |
| +44 161075 | Protected | — |
| +44 161076 | Protected | — |
| +44 161077 | Protected | — |
| +44 161078 | Protected | — |
| +44 161079 | Protected | — |
| +44 161080 | Protected | — |
| +44 161081 | Protected | — |
| +44 161082 | Protected | — |
| +44 161083 | Protected | — |
| +44 161084 | Protected | — |
| +44 161085 | Protected | — |
| +44 161086 | Protected | — |
| +44 161087 | Protected | — |
| +44 161088 | Protected | — |
| +44 161089 | Protected | — |
| +44 161090 | Protected | — |
| +44 161091 | Protected | — |
| +44 161092 | Protected | — |
| +44 161093 | Protected | — |
| +44 161094 | Protected | — |
| +44 161095 | Protected | — |
| +44 161096 | Protected | — |
| +44 161097 | Protected | — |
| +44 161098 | Protected | — |
| +44 161099 | Protected | — |
| +44 161100 | Allocated | Internet of Things Limited |
| +44 161101 | Protected | — |
| +44 161102 | Protected | — |
| +44 161103 | Protected | — |
| +44 161104 | Protected | — |
| +44 161105 | Protected | — |
| +44 161106 | Protected | — |
| +44 161107 | Protected | — |
| +44 161108 | Protected | — |
| +44 161109 | Protected | — |
| +44 161110 | Protected | — |
| +44 161111 | Protected | — |
| +44 161112 | Protected | — |
| +44 161113 | Protected | — |
| +44 161114 | Protected | — |
| +44 161115 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 161116 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 161117 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 161118 | Protected | — |
| +44 161119 | Protected | — |
| +44 161120 | Protected | — |
| +44 161121 | Protected | — |
| +44 161122 | Protected | — |
| +44 161123 | Protected | — |
| +44 161124 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 161125 | Protected | — |
| +44 161126 | Protected | — |
| +44 161127 | Protected | — |
| +44 161128 | Protected | — |
| +44 161129 | Protected | — |
| +44 161130 | Protected | — |
| +44 161131 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 161132 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 161133 | Allocated | Colt Technology Services |
| +44 161134 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 161135 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 161136 | Protected | — |
| +44 161137 | Protected | — |
| +44 161138 | Protected | — |
| +44 161139 | Protected | — |
| +44 161140 | Protected | — |
| +44 161141 | Protected | — |
| +44 161142 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 161143 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 161144 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 161145 | Protected | — |
| +44 161146 | Protected | — |
| +44 161147 | Protected | — |
| +44 161148 | Protected | — |
| +44 161149 | Protected | — |
| +44 161150 | Protected | — |
| +44 161151 | Protected | — |
| +44 161152 | Protected | — |
| +44 161153 | Protected | — |
| +44 161154 | Protected | — |
| +44 161155 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 161156 | Protected | — |
| +44 161157 | Protected | — |
| +44 161158 | Protected | — |
| +44 161159 | Protected | — |
| +44 161160 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 161161 | Protected | — |
| +44 161162 | Protected | — |
| +44 161163 | Protected | — |
| +44 161164 | Protected | — |
| +44 161165 | Protected | — |
| +44 161166 | Protected | — |
| +44 161167 | Protected | — |
| +44 161168 | Protected | — |
| +44 161169 | Protected | — |
| +44 161170 | Protected | — |
| +44 161171 | Protected | — |
| +44 161172 | Protected | — |
| +44 161173 | Protected | — |
| +44 161174 | Protected | — |
| +44 161175 | Protected | — |
| +44 161176 | Protected | — |
| +44 161177 | Protected | — |
| +44 161178 | Protected | — |
| +44 161179 | Protected | — |
| +44 161180 | Protected | — |
| +44 161181 | Protected | — |
| +44 161182 | Protected | — |
| +44 161183 | Protected | — |
| +44 161184 | Protected | — |
| +44 161185 | Protected | — |
| +44 161186 | Protected | — |
| +44 161187 | Protected | — |
| +44 161188 | Protected | — |
| +44 161189 | Protected | — |
| +44 161190 | Protected | — |
| +44 161191 | Protected | — |
| +44 161192 | Protected | — |
| +44 161193 | Protected | — |
| +44 161194 | Protected | — |
| +44 161195 | Protected | — |
| +44 161196 | Protected | — |
| +44 161197 | Protected | — |
| +44 161198 | Protected | — |
| +44 161199 | Protected | — |
Related lookups
- 01706 Rochdale16 km away
- 01457 Glossop20 km away
- 01663 New Mills21 km away
- 01565 Knutsford21 km away
- BT273 allocated blocks on 0161
- Vodafone Ltd (C&W)65 allocated blocks on 0161
- Virgin Media Limited48 allocated blocks on 0161
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Greater Manchester codesSame region
- All UK area codesBrowse every 01/02 dialling code
- Lookup any UK numberFree reverse phone lookup
- UK area codes explainedCornerstone guide
- 020 London numbers explainedCornerstone guide
- 0330 numbers explainedCornerstone guide
- How Ofcom allocates UK phone numbersCornerstone guide
FAQs about 0161
Where is area code 0161?
0161 is Ofcom's Manchester numbering area, in Greater Manchester, North West England. Its exchange town is in Manchester. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 161.
Do I need to dial 0161 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 0161 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 0161 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 0161 numbers written?
Numbers on 0161 use Ofcom's 3+7 format: the 4-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 7-digit local number — written like 0161 234 5678. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 161 then the local number.
What was the 0161 area code before?
0161 took its current form at PhONEday on 16 April 1995, when a "1" was inserted into every UK geographic code — before that the area dialled 061. Old signage or stationery showing 061 refers to the same Manchester numbers.
Which phone companies hold 0161 numbers?
Ofcom lists 187 providers with allocated blocks on 0161. The largest are BT with 273 of the 705 allocated blocks, Vodafone with 65 of the 705 allocated blocks and Virgin Media Limited with 48 of the 705 allocated blocks. Numbers can be ported, so a number's current provider may differ from the block's holder.
Are 0161 numbers reported as scams?
Visitors have checked 338 different 0161 numbers here 430 times since May 2026. 6 caller verdicts have been left on 0161 numbers: 5 scam, 1 nuisance and 0 safe, so most say scam.
Which area codes are next to 0161?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01706 Rochdale (16 km), 01457 Glossop (20 km), 01663 New Mills (21 km) and 01565 Knutsford (21 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 0161 number?
On a mobile, text the caller's number to 7726 (free). If you lost money or shared details, call your bank and report it to Report Fraud (0300 123 2040), which replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. Unwanted sales calls go to the ICO after registering with the Telephone Preference Service.