Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a novel rectangular linear induction motor as an electromagnetic stirrer (EMS) using analytical followed by a numerical approach. The rectangular linear electromagnetic stirrer (RLEMS) is mainly developed for rectangular slab and billet as the end product. Design/methodology/approach A two-dimensional analytical approach for evaluating flux density distribution within the mold is established for RLEMS structure. Subsequently, the average stirring force within the mold is estimated from those field variables. The paper presents an analytical and numerical model for calculating the stirring force and counters the end and edge effects of linear-type EMS. Magnetic field and force profile within the mold due to polyphase rectangular stator distribution has been done with the help of Maxwell’s equation with appropriate boundary conditions by using Fourier transform and inverse Fourier transform. Subsequently, a numerical study has been carried out using a coupled thermal and electromagnetic model. Findings The present study investigates the physical phenomena during the solidification process because of an induced electromagnetic field and is able to extract all the electromagnetic field variables under different operating conditions, and, subsequently, provides an insight into the actual happening within the mold. Originality/value It provides the analytical method for solving the stirring force of the proposed new RLEMS structure by addressing the smooth and efficient variation of field and velocity profile near the corner of the mold and improves the quality of end product.