A stowable or foldable ladder is configured for installation in an opening between one floor or space and another floor or space. An upper ladder section includes a left ladder rail and a right ladder rail, a lower ladder section having a left ladder rail and a right ladder rail, a hinge rotatably connecting the upper ladder section left ladder rail to the lower ladder section left ladder rail and rotatably connecting the upper ladder section right ladder rail to the lower ladder section right ladder rail, and a plurality of steps rotatably disposed between the upper pair of ladder rails and the lower pair of ladder rails. The steps are configured for rotation between a retracted position and a deployed position.