A method of aligning the horizontal and vertical rolls of a beam mill stand. First the upper horizontal roll is brought to a datum position, and then the vertical rolls are brought into contact with the opposite flanks of upper horizontal roll, to establish datum positions for the vertical rolls. The vertical rolls are then withdrawn from their datum positions, and the lower horizontal roll is brought into contact with the upper horizontal roll to establish a datum position for the second horizontal roll. The vertical rolls are brought into contact with the flanks of the upper and lower horizontal rolls. The initial inter-roll spacing of the vertical rolls at first contact is compared with the inter-roll spacing of the vertical rolls at the second contact to determine if there is any axial misalignment of the horizontal work rolls. If the vertical rolls are withdrawn by a predetermined amount, and the horizontal rolls are separated, one of the horizontal rolls axially maybe adjusted to correct the determined misalignment, and the horizontal rolls are brought together again. Finally the vertical rolls are again brought into contact with the flanks of the horizontal rolls.