- Prefix
0161 6- Area
- Manchester
- Number type
- Geographic landline (01/02)
- Format
0161 6XX XXXX- From abroad
+44 161 6XX XXXX- Ofcom blocks in range
- 100
- Blocks in service
- 93
- Range holders
- 31
What are 0161 6XX XXXX numbers?
Any UK number matching 0161 6XX 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
93 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 6… number ranges?
| Range holder (allocated by Ofcom) | Number blocks | Example range |
|---|---|---|
| BT | 27 | 0161 600 XXXX |
| Vodafone Ltd (C&W) | 13 | 0161 603 XXXX |
| Virgin Media Limited | 11 | 0161 610 XXXX |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 7 | 0161 667 XXXX |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 4 | 0161 615 XXXX |
| Sky UK Limited | 3 | 0161 670 XXXX |
| Verizon UK Limited | 3 | 0161 601 XXXX |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 2 | 0161 637 XXXX |
| Barritel Limited | 1 | 0161 623 XXXX |
| Bink Broadband Ltd | 1 | 0161 671 XXXX |
| Business Broadcast Communications Limited | 1 | 0161 689 XXXX |
| Chess Limited | 1 | 0161 651 XXXX |
…and 19 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, 7 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 6… 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 6XX 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 ›