The inquiry for the 061 area code seeks a geographical location, but the most important fact is that this three-digit sequence is not in use as a current geographic area code in the United States or Canada.
The 061 area code was the original code for the Greater Manchester region in the United Kingdom. It was used from 1966 until the major renumbering event in 1995. Today, the Manchester area uses the 0161 area code.
If you have encountered a phone number starting with (061) or +44 61, it is highly likely that the number is either an outdated reference or a fraudulent call, as this sequence is no longer valid for public use.
The History and Location of the 061 Code
The 061 code is part of the UK’s former telephone numbering system, which used a leading ‘0’ as the national trunk code for long-distance calls.
| Detail | Information |
| Current Status: | Invalid/Decommissioned for public use. |
| Original Location: | Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom. |
| Replacement Code: | 0161 (The current area code for Manchester). |
| Reason for Change: | The UK’s PhONEday renumbering event on April 16, 1995, added a ‘1’ after the initial ‘0’ in most geographic area codes to increase the total number of available phone numbers. |
The Relationship to the Current 0161 Code
The old 061 code was permanently replaced by 0161. When calling a landline in Manchester today from outside the UK, the dialing procedure uses the Country Code (+44) and the current area code (161), dropping the domestic trunk code (0):
+44+161+XXX XXXX
The old 061 code is no longer accepted for calls to Manchester.
Differentiating 061 from North American Codes
The number sequence 061 can create confusion for users in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), which includes the US and Canada:
- Invalid NANP Code: Any three-digit area code (NPA) in the North American system cannot begin with a ‘0’. The NANP range begins with 201 (New Jersey). Therefore, 061 is technically an impossible area code for the US or Canada.
- Invalid Prefix: NANP local exchange prefixes (the middle three digits) also generally cannot begin with a 0 or 1, making 061 an invalid prefix as well.
Any device displaying a full number like (061) XXX-XXXX is either encountering a system error or is receiving a call from an illegally spoofed number designed to bypass common caller ID filtering, as the number cannot be traced to a real US/Canadian location.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the current area code for Manchester, UK?
The current area code for Manchester, UK, is 0161. You must use this code for all calls to landlines in the Greater Manchester region.
If I receive a call from 061, should I call it back?
No, you should not call it back. Since 061 is not a valid modern code, returning the call will likely result in an error message or, worse, connect you to an expensive premium-rate international line if the number was spoofed by a scammer. Treat the call as highly suspicious and block the number if it persists.
What is the purpose of the leading ‘0’ in 061?
In the former UK national dialing system, the leading ‘0’ served as the national trunk code (similar to the long-distance access code “1” in the US/Canada). It was dialed for any call outside your local area. When calling from abroad, this initial ‘0’ was dropped, which is why the international code is +44 161.
Could 061 be the Country Code for Australia?
No. The Country Calling Code for Australia is +61. While both contain the digits ’61’, the initial ‘0’ in 061 signifies it as an older UK national dialing code, not an international country code.
Conclusion
The 061 area code is a decommissioned code historically used for Manchester, UK. It is not a valid US or Canadian area code. For current calls to Manchester, use the modern 0161 code, and always ignore unsolicited calls from any invalid area code like 061 to protect yourself from potential phone scams.
