The analysis of lateral extrusion process was carried out. A three dimensional FE model was developed to analyze the effects of some important geometrical parameters such as initial billet dimensions, gap height and frictional condition on the required forging load, the material flow pattern and effective plastic strain distribution. The FE code of DEFORM-3D was employed. A series of experimental tests on commercial lead billets were carried out to verify the FE results. The simulation work has been performed by the rigid-plastic FE method. The results obtained using the numerical solutions have been compared with the experimental data for each case study in terms of required forming load and material flow pattern in different regions. Comparison between FE and experiment results showed good agreement. Both the simulation and experimental results highlight the major role of above mentioned parameters on the required forming load and material flow pattern. The results showed that the gap height has the greatest effect on the forming load and material flow. The results presented in this paper could be used as basic data in the design of the lateral extrusion process.