1. **State the problem:** We need to find the surface area of a cube with side length 4 cm. 2. **Formula:** The surface area $S$ of a cube with side length $a$ is given by: $$S = 6a^2$$ This is because a cube has 6 faces, each a square of side $a$. 3. **Substitute the given value:** Here, $a = 4$ cm. $$S = 6 \times 4^2$$ 4. **Calculate the square:** $$S = 6 \times 16$$ 5. **Multiply:** $$S = 96$$ 6. **Conclusion:** The surface area of the cube is $96$ cm$^2$. Therefore, the correct answer is 96 cm$^2$.