This article presents a new comprehensive design procedure for longitudinalflux flat linear switched reluctance motors. The design process comprises all thesteps from detailing the specifications to sizing the prototype to validating the design,and it can be applied to three types of flux flat linear switched reluctance motors:single sided, double sided, and modified double sided. The design is based on ananalytical formulation of the average translation force determined using a simplifiednon-linear energy conversion loop. Special emphasis is devoted to the calculation ofthe number of turns per phase. A two-dimensional finite-element analysis, correctedto take into account end effects, and a lumped parameter thermal analysis wereused to refine and/or validate the design. Finally, a linear switched reluctance motorprototype was built following the proposed design and was verified by experimentalmeasurements.