UK area code
0161 — Manchester
The 0161 dialling code covers Manchester in Greater Manchester. Approximate population of the area: 553,000. Below are the currently-allocated Ofcom number ranges and the Range Holders they are assigned to.
About the 0161 dialling code
0161 is the UK area code for Manchester and the surrounding Greater Manchester area, listed in Ofcom’s National Telephone Numbering Plan. When a UK landline calls you and the number begins +44 161 the originating exchange is most likely physically located in or near Manchester. Numbers in this code are allocated to UK communications providers in 1,000- or 10,000-number blocks; the table below shows which Range Holder Ofcom assigned each block to.
This is the same data Ofcom publishes every Wednesday in the public UK Numbering Data feed. We re-ingest the snapshot weekly, so the allocations you see here are at most seven days old. Because UK numbers are portable, the current carrier of any specific number on 0161 can differ from the Range Holder shown — see Range Holder vs current provider for the full explanation.
To identify a specific 0161 number, paste it into the lookup form above. You will see the Range Holder, the allocation status, the area-code metadata for Manchester, and a live AI internet check summarising any public web reports about that exact number — useful when an unfamiliar 0161 caller turns out to be a legitimate local business, a national contact-centre, or a scam.
Range holders on 0161
- British Telecommunications PLC1 range
- Vodafone Limited1 range
All allocated ranges on 0161
Showing up to 200 ranges, ordered by prefix.
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 161200 | Allocated | British Telecommunications PLC |
| +44 161300 | Allocated | Vodafone Limited |
Related lookups
FAQs about 0161
What does the 0161 area code cover?
0161 is the UK dialling code for Manchester and the wider Greater Manchester area. The area has a population of approximately 553,000. When you receive a call starting with 0161 from a UK landline, the originating exchange is likely in or near Manchester.
Is a 0161 number safe?
Most calls from 0161 are legitimate landlines. Scammers can however spoof any UK area code, so a 0161 prefix alone doesn't guarantee safety. Use the lookup above to see the Range Holder, then read the AI internet check for behavioural reports.
How many providers operate 0161 number ranges?
Across the 2 ranges currently visible, 2 different Range Holders are listed. The top allocations are typically held by Openreach (BT), Virgin Media O2 and Sky.