- Prefix
0161 2- Area
- Manchester
- Number type
- Geographic landline (01/02)
- Format
0161 2XX XXXX- From abroad
+44 161 2XX XXXX- Ofcom blocks in range
- 100
- Blocks in service
- 96
- Range holders
- 17
What are 0161 2XX XXXX numbers?
Any UK number matching 0161 2XX XXXX sits in the
0161 dialling code for Manchester.
Ofcom hands these numbers to communications providers in blocks; this range
contains 100 blocks, of which
96 are allocated and usable. Calls from these
numbers are typically homes and businesses in the Manchester area — or
organisations elsewhere that keep a local 0161 presence using
VoIP.
Who holds 0161 2… number ranges?
| Range holder (allocated by Ofcom) | Number blocks | Example range |
|---|---|---|
| BT | 45 | 0161 200 XXXX |
| Virgin Media Limited | 26 | 0161 211 XXXX |
| Vodafone Ltd (C&W) | 6 | 0161 206 XXXX |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 3 | 0161 222 XXXX |
| Colt Technology Services | 2 | 0161 240 XXXX |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 2 | 0161 268 XXXX |
| Sky UK Limited | 2 | 0161 264 XXXX |
| DRD Communications Limited | 1 | 0161 260 XXXX |
| Flextel Limited | 1 | 0161 262 XXXX |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 1 | 0161 241 XXXX |
| Global Reach Networks Limited | 1 | 0161 269 XXXX |
| Linear Telecoms Limited | 1 | 0161 263 XXXX |
…and 5 more providers hold smaller allocations in this range.
Ofcom’s data shows the provider each number range was originally allocated to — not who holds an individual number today. Numbers are frequently moved (ported) between providers, and no public database reveals the person or business behind a specific number, so treat any service that claims to with suspicion.
Not every block in this range is in service: of the 100 blocks Ofcom lists, 4 are protected (reserved by Ofcom and not in use). A call appearing to come from an unallocated block is a strong sign of a spoofed number.
Is a call from a 0161 2… number safe?
A local-looking number is never proof of who is calling: fraudsters spoof 0161 caller IDs so their calls look like they come from Manchester (‘neighbour spoofing’). If an unexpected caller asks for personal, banking or one-time-code details, hang up and ring the organisation back on a number you find independently. To put a name to a caller, see who called me?; to report one, see how to report a scam number.
Check a specific 0161 2XX XXXX number
Paste any full number into the checker above (or on the main phone number checker) to see its exact range holder and allocation status from this week’s Ofcom data.
Run mobiles for a business? See our business mobile network comparison or get a quote.
More 0161 number ranges
Full 0161 Manchester area-code guide › · All UK area codes ›