Mn doped ZnO (ZnO:Mn) nanopowders with Mn:ZnO ratio from 0 to 3% were successfully synthesized by co-precipitation method. Their structural, optical, dielectric and conducting properties were investigated. All samples crystallize in the hexagonal wurtzite structure. The change in lattice parameters, bond length and preferential crystalline orientation for Mn doped ZnO samples indicates Mn2+ ions incorporation in ZnO lattice. Both micro-strain and dislocation density decrease due to doping whereas the average crystallite size increases suggesting the improvement of crystalline quality. The optical transmission in the visible region was improved as a result of doping. The observed decrease in ac conductivity (sigma(ac)) with increasing Mn content is associated with the increase of defects amount. Cole-Cole plots of all samples were fitted to a circuit consisting in a parallel combination of a resistance and a constant phase element (CPE).