The four-step approach
The most-taught pattern. For a right-hander: the swing's pushaway starts with step one (right foot), the ball swings down on step two, back on step three, and forward into the slide on step four (left foot). Simple, repeatable, and ideal for learning timing.
The five-step approach
Many bowlers add a small initial step before the pushaway, making it five steps. The extra step is a tempo-setter; the ball still starts moving on what is effectively the same beat. Five steps can feel smoother for some bowlers — neither is 'correct,' it's what's repeatable for you.
The slide step
The final step is a slide — your sliding foot (left for a righty) glides to a stop at the foul line as the ball releases. A consistent slide is why bowling shoes matter so much; it's the platform the whole release fires from. See shoes.
Tempo and rhythm
Good footwork has an even, unhurried tempo. The classic fault is the first step being too big or too fast, which rushes everything after it. Think 'small first step, build smoothly.' Your feet should never sprint ahead of your swing.
Syncing feet and swing
The whole point of footwork is timing: the ball reaching the bottom of its forward swing exactly as your slide foot stops. If you finish your steps and then wait for the ball (or vice versa), your timing is off. Film yourself from the side — feet and ball should arrive together.