---
title: Using Datadog SDKs with OpenTelemetry
description: >-
  Export telemetry in OTLP format from Datadog SDKs, or use the OpenTelemetry
  API with Datadog SDKs to keep vendor-neutral instrumentation.
breadcrumbs: >-
  Docs > OpenTelemetry in Datadog > Instrument Your Applications > Using Datadog
  SDKs with OpenTelemetry
---

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.datadoghq.com/llms.txt).

# Using Datadog SDKs with OpenTelemetry

Datadog SDKs work with OpenTelemetry in two independent ways. Exporting telemetry in [OpenTelemetry Protocol (OTLP)](https://opentelemetry.io/docs/specs/otlp/) format controls how telemetry is sent. The [OpenTelemetry API](https://opentelemetry.io/docs/specs/otel/trace/api/) controls how you instrument your services. These can be enabled separately, but using them together provides an OpenTelemetry-native experience.

- [
  ### Export traces in OTLP format
Export traces from a Datadog SDK in OTLP format to DDOT or any OpenTelemetry Collector, instead of sending them to the Datadog Agent. In Preview.](https://docs.datadoghq.com/opentelemetry/instrument/dd_sdks/otlp_trace_export.md)
- [
  ### Use the OpenTelemetry API
Instrument your services with vendor-neutral OpenTelemetry APIs while taking advantage of Datadog's native features and products.](https://docs.datadoghq.com/opentelemetry/instrument/dd_sdks/api_support.md)
 
{% alert level="info" %}
**Comparing setups?** See the [feature compatibility table](https://docs.datadoghq.com/opentelemetry/compatibility.md#feature-compatibility) to understand which Datadog features each setup supports.
{% /alert %}

## Configure and extend{% #configure-and-extend %}

- [
  ### Instrumentation Libraries
Add OpenTelemetry instrumentation libraries to capture telemetry from third-party components alongside Datadog SDK instrumentation.](https://docs.datadoghq.com/opentelemetry/instrument/dd_sdks/instrumentation_libraries.md)
- [
  ### Configuration
Configure Datadog SDKs with OpenTelemetry SDK environment variables.](https://docs.datadoghq.com/opentelemetry/config/environment_variable_support.md)
 
## Further reading{% #further-reading %}

- [Datadog Distribution of the OpenTelemetry Collector (DDOT)](https://docs.datadoghq.com/opentelemetry/setup/ddot_collector.md)
- [Instrument a custom method to get deep visibility into your business logic](https://docs.datadoghq.com/tracing/guide/instrument_custom_method.md)
- [Connect your Logs and Traces together](https://docs.datadoghq.com/tracing/connect_logs_and_traces.md)
- [Explore your services, resources, and traces](https://docs.datadoghq.com/tracing/visualization.md)
- [Learn More about Datadog and the OpenTelemetry initiative](https://www.datadoghq.com/blog/opentelemetry-instrumentation/)