Beare‐Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome consists of skin furrows of corrugated appearance, acanthosis nigricans, craniotacial anomalies, particularly craniosynostosis and ear defects, anogenital anomalies, skin tags, and prominent umbilical stump. Four cases of this striking syndrome are reported. Together with two previously reported cases, the syndrome is delineated from the six known cases. Cutis gyrata variably affects the scalp, forehead, face, preauricular area, neck, trunk, hands, and feet. Craniosynostosis is present in four cases, with cloverleaf skull in three of these. Intrauterine growth has been normal in all cases. Performance and life expectation appear to be related to the presence or absence of cloverleaf skull. All cases observed to date have been sporadic. Increased paternal age suggests the possibility of an autosomal dominant mutation. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.