Snowboard to Binding Compatibility

There are 4 major mounting systems featured on snowboards.
2x4, 4x4, The Channel, and 3D. 

What's a mounting system?

A mounting system is the pattern of the inserts (the screw holes) on your snowboard. This can also be called mounting pattern, insert pattern, etc. In short, it describes the shape/style of the screw holes that you use to mount your bindings on your board. 

Some brands use specific patterns, and not all patterns are compatible with all bindings, so it's important to pay attention to what you have, or what you're looking at getting. 

Mounting Systems

2x4

This is the most common and the vast majority of bindings will fit on these boards. Bindings that are compatible with 4x4 and 2x4 will work on this pattern.

4x4

This is commonly found on beginner/entry level boards, and has fewer inserts than the 2x4 pattern, in the same shape but more spaced out. Most bindings are still compatible with this, but bindings that are only compatible with 2x4 will not work as the gap between the inserts will be too big. Most bindings that use a Mini Disc won't work with 4x4 snowboards.

The Channel

The Channel is a unique system that gives you a huge range of stance width options. Instead of the usual 4 screws that hold your bindings on the board, the channel uses 2 channel inserts (provided with all brand new Burton snowboards) that you screw into, either underfoot or outside the feet, to mount your bindings. The Channel is most commonly found on Burton snowboards and some specific models from other brands. Most bindings will come with channel-compatible discs (except for beginner/entry level bindings), and Burton make specific EST bindings that will only work on the channel.

Burton Re:Flex Channel Disc:

A Burton EST binding:

Mounting a Burton EST binding:

The current version of the Channel is called M6 and came into effect in 2014. The previous version was called M5 and was in production from 2009 to 2014. The easiest way to differentiate the two is M6 has female screw inserts in the board, while M5 has a male screw insert in the board. M5 and M6 channel systems are not compatible with each other and require specific parts. 

3D

3D was the primary mounting system for Burton until 2009, and is still found on Burton kids boards. It is increasingly difficult to find bindings that are compatible with 3D boards, but your best bet is a current Burton binding and a 3D-compatible Re:Flex disc (sold separately). 

Image credit to Burton.com