Sub-band allocation techniques for reduced-bandwidth machine-type communication (MTC) devices are described. In one embodiment, for example, user equipment (UE) may comprise logic, at least a portion of which is in hardware, the logic to identify a machine-type communication (MTC) sub-band allocation based on received MTC sub-band allocation information, the MTC sub-band allocation to comprise an allocation of a plurality of subcarriers to an MTC sub-band of a system bandwidth of a serving cell of the UE, the MTC sub-band allocation to define at least one MTC direct current (DC) subcarrier among the plurality of subcarriers, and a radio interface to receive a transmission via the MTC sub-band according to the MTC sub-band allocation. Other embodiments are described and claimed.