A new modified conductivity model was established to predict the shear yield stress of electrorheological fluids (ERF). By using a cell equivalent method, the present model can deal with the face-center square structure of ERF. Combining the scheme of the classical conductivity model for the single-chain structure, a new formula for the prediction of the shear yield stress of ERF was set up. The influences of the separation distance of the particles, the volume fraction of the particles and the applied electric field on the shear yield stress were investigated.