Span-based metrics aggregate trace data into time-series measures. They complement trace search: metrics summarize behavior over time, while traces retain request-level detail for selected operations.

Metric paths

A trace proxy can compute service and operation metrics from spans. An OpenTelemetry Collector can also produce span-derived metrics when it includes a supported span-metrics component and a configured metrics export path. Confirm supported components, dimensions, and exporter settings for your deployment before making changes.

• Out-of-the-Box Trace Metrics describes the service and operation metrics visible in the product.
• Create Custom Span Metrics explains the configuration paths and their limits.

Keep metric dimensions bounded. Adding request IDs, user IDs, or unbounded destination names as labels can create excessive time-series cardinality and cost.