0161 UK numbers may have caught your attention, and you might wonder what this number is used for and if it is free to call.
The 0161 area code is part of a numbering system regulated by the Office of Communications (Ofcom).
The company serves as the UK’s broadcasting, telecommunications, and postal regulatory authority.
If you are planning to call 0161 numbers in the future, you should first know the cost per minute for both landline and mobile phone calls.
Although Ofcom sets the basic rate per area code, the cost still depends on your service providers such as Vodafone and EE. Aside from the cost, it is also a good idea to know where 0161 calls are coming from.
This short guide answers all your questions about the 0161 area code.
Below you will find a list of commonly asked questions about the 0161 area code. Here’s what you will read about:
- What Area Code Is 0161?
- What Is the 0161 Number Cost?
- Is 0161 Free on EE?
- Are 0161 Numbers Free on Sky Mobile?
- Are 0161 Numbers Included in Vodafone Minutes?
- How Do I Call 0161 Numbers?
- Are Calls to 0161 Numbers Cheaper Than Other UK Numbers?
- Which 0161 Numbers Are Used By Service Providers?
Contents
- 1 What Area Code Is 0161?
- 2 What Is the 0161 Number Cost?
- 3 Is 0161 Free on EE?
- 4 Are 0161 Numbers Free on Sky Mobile?
- 5 Are 0161 Numbers Included in Vodafone Minutes?
- 6 How Do I Call 0161 Numbers?
- 7 Are Calls to 0161 Numbers Cheaper Than Other UK Numbers?
- 8 Which 0161 Numbers Are Used By Service Providers?
- 9 Final Thoughts on 0161 Area Code UK
What Area Code Is 0161?
According to Ofcom’s telephone area code list, the 0161 area code is one of the geographic numbers in the 01 range.
This specific number is allocated to the city of Manchester in Greater Manchester, England.
Before 1995, this area code was known as 061, which was included in the ‘all figure dialling’ enforced between 1966 and 1970.
0161 was adopted in 1995 as part of the PhONEday changes. There are five large cities in the UK which are allocated three-digit area codes, including Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Liverpool, and Glasgow.
By using these area codes, it becomes easier to identify the origin of a call.
Below is a list of area codes and their number assignments for five large cities using the three-digit area codes in the UK:
What Is the 0161 Number Cost?
According to Ofcom’s call cost guide, landline calls to 01 or 0161 numbers typically amount to 16p each minute, while mobile phone calls range from 3p to 65p per minute.
However, keep in mind each communications service provider has their own rates and charges. In addition, factors like area, time, and the device can also influence the total cost of a call.
If you sign up for a call plan from your communications provider, you usually get complimentary minutes for calls to 01 numbers as part of their call plans. Once you use up your free calls, then you pay for the extra call charges.
The communications provider sets these charges, so it is best to check with them about the cost per minute.
Is 0161 Free on EE?
According to the EE guide on costs, calls to 01 numbers such as 0161 are part of your free minutes allowance.
Generally, UK landline and mobile calls to 01 numbers are covered by this free minutes package, except for Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man.
In the event that you use more minutes than your free minutes, you will have to pay access and service fees.
Here are the access charges per minute, including VAT:
- EE pay monthly mobile customers – 73p per minute
- EE SIM only mobile customers – 73p per minute
- EE pay as you go and Flex customers – 44p per minute
- EE Broadband and Phone customers – 12p per minute
- EE Small Business Customers – Business Access Charges page
Are 0161 Numbers Free on Sky Mobile?
In Sky Mobile’s Tariff Guide, you are free to call 01 numbers such as 0161 numbers, as long as you do not exceed your plan allowance.
If you exceed your plan allowance, you will have to pay £0.10 per minute to call a UK landline starting with 01, 02, or 3.
You can get this plan allowance with Unlimited Calls and Texts plans.
Are 0161 Numbers Included in Vodafone Minutes?
Vodafone has a fixed allowance of minutes for calling within the UK and to standard UK landlines with the 01 prefix. Once you exceed that allowance, you will be charged 55p per minute.
If you would like to know more about the cost of each plan, the standard charge for UK calls, and the cost per UK message, you can check out Vodafone’s charges guide.
How Do I Call 0161 Numbers?
International Calls:
The UK Dialing Code +44 is required for international calls. Here is how to call 0161 numbers from outside the UK:
- Dial +44
- Dial 161 instead of 0161 with the zero removed
- Add the remaining subscriber number
The number to dial is +44 161 xxx xxxx.
National Calls:
In order to place a telephone call within the United Kingdom, dial the three-digit area code 0161 followed by the subscriber number. In general, you should be able to dial in this manner: 0161 xxx xxx.
Are Calls to 0161 Numbers Cheaper Than Other UK Numbers?
The cost of calling 0161 numbers may not always be lower than that of calling other UK numbers due to several factors, such as the time of the call, the location, and the device you are using.
As shown in the table below, calls to 01 numbers are more expensive than others. Compared to calls to 01 numbers, calls to 30 numbers are cheaper because they only cost up to 10p per minute.
The cost of calls to 70 numbers, on the other hand, is higher than that of calls to 01 numbers, since it costs 50p per minute to call 70 numbers.
In addition to the above, some UK numbers are free to call, such as 0800, 0808, 101, 105, 111, 112, 116, and 999. You can find a complete list of the cost per minute for UK numbers below.
Table of Cost Per Minute for UK Numbers
| Number | Cost Via Landline | Cost Via Mobile |
| 01
02 |
up to 16p per minute | 3p to 65p per minute
|
| 03
0345 |
up to 16p per minute
|
3p to 65p per minute
|
| 30 | up to 10p per minute | 3p to 40p per minute |
| 7 | 10p to 20p per minute | 3p to 65p per minute |
| 70 | 50p per minute | 86p per minute |
| 0800
0808 |
No Charge | No Charge |
| 0843
0844 0845 |
up to 7p per minute + phone company’s access charge | up to 7p per minute + phone company’s access charge |
| 0870
0871 0872 0873 |
up to 13p per minute + phone company’s access charge | up to 13p per minute + phone company’s access charge |
| 9 | up to £3.60 per minute, access charge, and additional 5p to £6 per call | up to £3.60 per minute, access charge, and additional 5p to £6 per call |
| 101 | No Charge | No Charge |
| 105 | No Charge | No Charge |
| 111 | No Charge | No Charge |
| 112 | No Charge | No Charge |
| 116 | No Charge | No Charge |
| 118 | up to £3.65 per 90 seconds and the phone company access charge | up to £3.65 per 90 seconds and the phone company access charge |
| 999 | No Charge | No Charge |
Which 0161 Numbers Are Used By Service Providers?
From Ofcom’s website, you can download the numbering data if you want to know who is calling you.
In the numbering data, you will find companies in Manchester that use 0161 numbers, as well as their geographical number length and allocation status.
You will also find some numbers in the list that are protected, allocated, quarantined, and free.
An example of a 0161 number that has already been assigned to a company can be found below.
Table of 0161 Numbers Used by Service Providers
| NMS Number Block: Number Block | Allocation Status | Company |
| 1610 01 | Allocated | IPV6 Limited |
| 1610 01 | Allocated | IPV6 Limited |
| 1610 10 | Allocated | Adepteo Limited |
| 1610 11 | Allocated | Telet Research (N.I.) Limited |
| 1611 15 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| 1611 24 | Allocated | BT |
| 1611 33 | Allocated | Colt Technology Services |
| 1611 34 | Allocated | Affiniti Integrated Solutions Limited |
Final Thoughts on 0161 Area Code UK
In summary, we know that 0161 numbers are allocated to Manchester numbers, they charge national call rates, and most communication service providers include plan allowances for 0161 numbers.
For more information on call costs and plans, inquire with your service provider.
If you want to find out more about other UK area codes, Winterville also has a number of quick guides worth reading, such as:
- Are 0345 Numbers Free in the UK?
- Introduction to 0203 Area Code UK
- All You Need to Know About 0131 Area Code UK
- A Guide to 0141 Area Code UK
- What Is 01482 Area Code UK
Do you have any new information about 0161 numbers or other UK numbers? Feel free to share your thoughts about 0161 numbers by providing your name, email address, and feedback below.
