Abstract Dimensional analysis is presented as a powerful tool in the study of the paste boriding process. In particular, a dimensional method is used to study the growth kinetics of the boride layers FeB and Fe2B. Experiments were performed in AISI 1045 steel and AISI M2 steel, to test the suggested model. Samples of 1045 steel were prepared and treated using boron paste thickness of 3–5 mm, at temperatures of 1193, 1223 and 1273 K, with 2, 4 and 6 h of treatment time. The M2 specimens had boron paste thickness of 3 and 4 mm and temperatures of 1223, 1253 and 1273 K for 2 and 6 h. Results indicate that the growth of boron layers obeys power laws of the form y = αxβ, where α and β constants are a function of the material and the interface of interest. Validation of the model was carried out using experimental data with an average error percentage of 7.6% for Fe2B in 1045 steel, 15.8% for FeB and 3.4% for Fe2B in M2 steel.