diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 8635a86f7..5cab19a25 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ This project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.htm
 - The `go.opentelemetry.io/otel/semconv/v1.24.0` package.
   The package contains semantic conventions from the `v1.24.0` version of the OpenTelemetry Semantic Conventions. (#4770)
 - Add `WithResourceAsConstantLabels` option to apply resource attributes for every metric emitted by the Prometheus exporter. (#4733)
+- Experimental cardinality limiting is added to the metric SDK.
+  See [metric documentation](./sdk/metric/EXPERIMENTAL.md#cardinality-limit) for more information about this feature and how to enable it. (#4457)
 
 ### Changed
 
diff --git a/sdk/metric/EXPERIMENTAL.md b/sdk/metric/EXPERIMENTAL.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d2a5a0470
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sdk/metric/EXPERIMENTAL.md
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+# Experimental Features
+
+The metric SDK contains features that have not yet stabilized in the OpenTelemetry specification.
+These features are added to the OpenTelemetry Go metric SDK prior to stabilization in the specification so that users can start experimenting with them and provide feedback.
+
+These feature may change in backwards incompatible ways as feedback is applied.
+See the [Compatibility and Stability](#compatibility-and-stability) section for more information.
+
+## Features
+
+- [Cardinality Limit](#cardinality-limit)
+
+### Cardinality Limit
+
+The cardinality limit is the hard limit on the number of metric streams that can be collected for a single instrument.
+
+This experimental feature can be enabled by setting the `OTEL_GO_X_CARDINALITY_LIMIT` environment value.
+The value must be an integer value.
+All other values are ignored.
+
+If the value set is less than or equal to `0`, no limit will be applied.
+
+#### Examples
+
+Set the cardinality limit to 2000.
+
+```console
+export OTEL_GO_X_CARDINALITY_LIMIT=2000
+```
+
+Set an infinite cardinality limit (functionally equivalent to disabling the feature).
+
+```console
+export OTEL_GO_X_CARDINALITY_LIMIT=-1
+```
+
+Disable the cardinality limit.
+
+```console
+unset OTEL_GO_X_CARDINALITY_LIMIT
+```
+
+## Compatibility and Stability
+
+Experimental features do not fall within the scope of the OpenTelemetry Go versioning and stability [policy](../../VERSIONING.md).
+These features may be removed or modified in successive version releases, including patch versions.
+
+When an experimental feature is promoted to a stable feature, a migration path will be included in the changelog entry of the release.
+There is no guarantee that any environment variable feature flags that enabled the experimental feature will be supported by the stable version.
+If they are supported, they may be accompanied with a deprecation notice stating a timeline for the removal of that support.
diff --git a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/aggregate.go b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/aggregate.go
index 8dec14237..c61f85137 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/aggregate.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/aggregate.go
@@ -44,6 +44,14 @@ type Builder[N int64 | float64] struct {
 	// Filter is the attribute filter the aggregate function will use on the
 	// input of measurements.
 	Filter attribute.Filter
+	// AggregationLimit is the cardinality limit of measurement attributes. Any
+	// measurement for new attributes once the limit has been reached will be
+	// aggregated into a single aggregate for the "otel.metric.overflow"
+	// attribute.
+	//
+	// If AggregationLimit is less than or equal to zero there will not be an
+	// aggregation limit imposed (i.e. unlimited attribute sets).
+	AggregationLimit int
 }
 
 func (b Builder[N]) filter(f Measure[N]) Measure[N] {
@@ -63,7 +71,7 @@ func (b Builder[N]) filter(f Measure[N]) Measure[N] {
 func (b Builder[N]) LastValue() (Measure[N], ComputeAggregation) {
 	// Delta temporality is the only temporality that makes semantic sense for
 	// a last-value aggregate.
-	lv := newLastValue[N]()
+	lv := newLastValue[N](b.AggregationLimit)
 
 	return b.filter(lv.measure), func(dest *metricdata.Aggregation) int {
 		// Ignore if dest is not a metricdata.Gauge. The chance for memory
@@ -79,7 +87,7 @@ func (b Builder[N]) LastValue() (Measure[N], ComputeAggregation) {
 // PrecomputedSum returns a sum aggregate function input and output. The
 // arguments passed to the input are expected to be the precomputed sum values.
 func (b Builder[N]) PrecomputedSum(monotonic bool) (Measure[N], ComputeAggregation) {
-	s := newPrecomputedSum[N](monotonic)
+	s := newPrecomputedSum[N](monotonic, b.AggregationLimit)
 	switch b.Temporality {
 	case metricdata.DeltaTemporality:
 		return b.filter(s.measure), s.delta
@@ -90,7 +98,7 @@ func (b Builder[N]) PrecomputedSum(monotonic bool) (Measure[N], ComputeAggregati
 
 // Sum returns a sum aggregate function input and output.
 func (b Builder[N]) Sum(monotonic bool) (Measure[N], ComputeAggregation) {
-	s := newSum[N](monotonic)
+	s := newSum[N](monotonic, b.AggregationLimit)
 	switch b.Temporality {
 	case metricdata.DeltaTemporality:
 		return b.filter(s.measure), s.delta
@@ -102,7 +110,7 @@ func (b Builder[N]) Sum(monotonic bool) (Measure[N], ComputeAggregation) {
 // ExplicitBucketHistogram returns a histogram aggregate function input and
 // output.
 func (b Builder[N]) ExplicitBucketHistogram(boundaries []float64, noMinMax, noSum bool) (Measure[N], ComputeAggregation) {
-	h := newHistogram[N](boundaries, noMinMax, noSum)
+	h := newHistogram[N](boundaries, noMinMax, noSum, b.AggregationLimit)
 	switch b.Temporality {
 	case metricdata.DeltaTemporality:
 		return b.filter(h.measure), h.delta
@@ -114,7 +122,7 @@ func (b Builder[N]) ExplicitBucketHistogram(boundaries []float64, noMinMax, noSu
 // ExponentialBucketHistogram returns a histogram aggregate function input and
 // output.
 func (b Builder[N]) ExponentialBucketHistogram(maxSize, maxScale int32, noMinMax, noSum bool) (Measure[N], ComputeAggregation) {
-	h := newExponentialHistogram[N](maxSize, maxScale, noMinMax, noSum)
+	h := newExponentialHistogram[N](maxSize, maxScale, noMinMax, noSum, b.AggregationLimit)
 	switch b.Temporality {
 	case metricdata.DeltaTemporality:
 		return b.filter(h.measure), h.delta
diff --git a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/aggregate_test.go b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/aggregate_test.go
index 79031b402..384ca51c8 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/aggregate_test.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/aggregate_test.go
@@ -31,11 +31,15 @@ var (
 	keyUser    = "user"
 	userAlice  = attribute.String(keyUser, "Alice")
 	userBob    = attribute.String(keyUser, "Bob")
+	userCarol  = attribute.String(keyUser, "Carol")
+	userDave   = attribute.String(keyUser, "Dave")
 	adminTrue  = attribute.Bool("admin", true)
 	adminFalse = attribute.Bool("admin", false)
 
 	alice = attribute.NewSet(userAlice, adminTrue)
 	bob   = attribute.NewSet(userBob, adminFalse)
+	carol = attribute.NewSet(userCarol, adminFalse)
+	dave  = attribute.NewSet(userDave, adminFalse)
 
 	// Filtered.
 	attrFltr = func(kv attribute.KeyValue) bool {
diff --git a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/exponential_histogram.go b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/exponential_histogram.go
index 98b7dc1e0..e9c25980a 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/exponential_histogram.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/exponential_histogram.go
@@ -288,13 +288,14 @@ func (b *expoBuckets) downscale(delta int) {
 // newExponentialHistogram returns an Aggregator that summarizes a set of
 // measurements as an exponential histogram. Each histogram is scoped by attributes
 // and the aggregation cycle the measurements were made in.
-func newExponentialHistogram[N int64 | float64](maxSize, maxScale int32, noMinMax, noSum bool) *expoHistogram[N] {
+func newExponentialHistogram[N int64 | float64](maxSize, maxScale int32, noMinMax, noSum bool, limit int) *expoHistogram[N] {
 	return &expoHistogram[N]{
 		noSum:    noSum,
 		noMinMax: noMinMax,
 		maxSize:  int(maxSize),
 		maxScale: int(maxScale),
 
+		limit:  newLimiter[*expoHistogramDataPoint[N]](limit),
 		values: make(map[attribute.Set]*expoHistogramDataPoint[N]),
 
 		start: now(),
@@ -309,6 +310,7 @@ type expoHistogram[N int64 | float64] struct {
 	maxSize  int
 	maxScale int
 
+	limit    limiter[*expoHistogramDataPoint[N]]
 	values   map[attribute.Set]*expoHistogramDataPoint[N]
 	valuesMu sync.Mutex
 
@@ -324,6 +326,7 @@ func (e *expoHistogram[N]) measure(_ context.Context, value N, attr attribute.Se
 	e.valuesMu.Lock()
 	defer e.valuesMu.Unlock()
 
+	attr = e.limit.Attributes(attr, e.values)
 	v, ok := e.values[attr]
 	if !ok {
 		v = newExpoHistogramDataPoint[N](e.maxSize, e.maxScale, e.noMinMax, e.noSum)
diff --git a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/exponential_histogram_test.go b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/exponential_histogram_test.go
index 44a8328bb..40af40263 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/exponential_histogram_test.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/exponential_histogram_test.go
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ func testExpoHistogramMinMaxSumInt64(t *testing.T) {
 			restore := withHandler(t)
 			defer restore()
 
-			h := newExponentialHistogram[int64](4, 20, false, false)
+			h := newExponentialHistogram[int64](4, 20, false, false, 0)
 			for _, v := range tt.values {
 				h.measure(context.Background(), v, alice)
 			}
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ func testExpoHistogramMinMaxSumFloat64(t *testing.T) {
 			restore := withHandler(t)
 			defer restore()
 
-			h := newExponentialHistogram[float64](4, 20, false, false)
+			h := newExponentialHistogram[float64](4, 20, false, false, 0)
 			for _, v := range tt.values {
 				h.measure(context.Background(), v, alice)
 			}
@@ -747,8 +747,9 @@ func TestExponentialHistogramAggregation(t *testing.T) {
 
 func testDeltaExpoHist[N int64 | float64]() func(t *testing.T) {
 	in, out := Builder[N]{
-		Temporality: metricdata.DeltaTemporality,
-		Filter:      attrFltr,
+		Temporality:      metricdata.DeltaTemporality,
+		Filter:           attrFltr,
+		AggregationLimit: 2,
 	}.ExponentialBucketHistogram(4, 20, false, false)
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	return test[N](in, out, []teststep[N]{
@@ -805,13 +806,67 @@ func testDeltaExpoHist[N int64 | float64]() func(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		{
+			input: []arg[N]{
+				{ctx, 4, alice},
+				{ctx, 4, alice},
+				{ctx, 4, alice},
+				{ctx, 2, alice},
+				{ctx, 16, alice},
+				{ctx, 1, alice},
+				// These will exceed the cardinality limit.
+				{ctx, 4, bob},
+				{ctx, 4, bob},
+				{ctx, 4, bob},
+				{ctx, 2, carol},
+				{ctx, 16, carol},
+				{ctx, 1, dave},
+			},
+			expect: output{
+				n: 2,
+				agg: metricdata.ExponentialHistogram[N]{
+					Temporality: metricdata.DeltaTemporality,
+					DataPoints: []metricdata.ExponentialHistogramDataPoint[N]{
+						{
+							Attributes: fltrAlice,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Count:      6,
+							Min:        metricdata.NewExtrema[N](1),
+							Max:        metricdata.NewExtrema[N](16),
+							Sum:        31,
+							Scale:      -1,
+							PositiveBucket: metricdata.ExponentialBucket{
+								Offset: -1,
+								Counts: []uint64{1, 4, 1},
+							},
+						},
+						{
+							Attributes: overflowSet,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Count:      6,
+							Min:        metricdata.NewExtrema[N](1),
+							Max:        metricdata.NewExtrema[N](16),
+							Sum:        31,
+							Scale:      -1,
+							PositiveBucket: metricdata.ExponentialBucket{
+								Offset: -1,
+								Counts: []uint64{1, 4, 1},
+							},
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
 	})
 }
 
 func testCumulativeExpoHist[N int64 | float64]() func(t *testing.T) {
 	in, out := Builder[N]{
-		Temporality: metricdata.CumulativeTemporality,
-		Filter:      attrFltr,
+		Temporality:      metricdata.CumulativeTemporality,
+		Filter:           attrFltr,
+		AggregationLimit: 2,
 	}.ExponentialBucketHistogram(4, 20, false, false)
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	return test[N](in, out, []teststep[N]{
@@ -911,6 +966,53 @@ func testCumulativeExpoHist[N int64 | float64]() func(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		{
+			input: []arg[N]{
+				// These will exceed the cardinality limit.
+				{ctx, 4, bob},
+				{ctx, 4, bob},
+				{ctx, 4, bob},
+				{ctx, 2, carol},
+				{ctx, 16, carol},
+				{ctx, 1, dave},
+			},
+			expect: output{
+				n: 2,
+				agg: metricdata.ExponentialHistogram[N]{
+					Temporality: metricdata.CumulativeTemporality,
+					DataPoints: []metricdata.ExponentialHistogramDataPoint[N]{
+						{
+							Attributes: fltrAlice,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Count:      9,
+							Min:        metricdata.NewExtrema[N](1),
+							Max:        metricdata.NewExtrema[N](16),
+							Sum:        44,
+							Scale:      -1,
+							PositiveBucket: metricdata.ExponentialBucket{
+								Offset: -1,
+								Counts: []uint64{1, 6, 2},
+							},
+						},
+						{
+							Attributes: overflowSet,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Count:      6,
+							Min:        metricdata.NewExtrema[N](1),
+							Max:        metricdata.NewExtrema[N](16),
+							Sum:        31,
+							Scale:      -1,
+							PositiveBucket: metricdata.ExponentialBucket{
+								Offset: -1,
+								Counts: []uint64{1, 4, 1},
+							},
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
 	})
 }
 
diff --git a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/histogram.go b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/histogram.go
index 62ec51e1f..5d886360b 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/histogram.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/histogram.go
@@ -54,11 +54,12 @@ type histValues[N int64 | float64] struct {
 	noSum  bool
 	bounds []float64
 
+	limit    limiter[*buckets[N]]
 	values   map[attribute.Set]*buckets[N]
 	valuesMu sync.Mutex
 }
 
-func newHistValues[N int64 | float64](bounds []float64, noSum bool) *histValues[N] {
+func newHistValues[N int64 | float64](bounds []float64, noSum bool, limit int) *histValues[N] {
 	// The responsibility of keeping all buckets correctly associated with the
 	// passed boundaries is ultimately this type's responsibility. Make a copy
 	// here so we can always guarantee this. Or, in the case of failure, have
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ func newHistValues[N int64 | float64](bounds []float64, noSum bool) *histValues[
 	return &histValues[N]{
 		noSum:  noSum,
 		bounds: b,
+		limit:  newLimiter[*buckets[N]](limit),
 		values: make(map[attribute.Set]*buckets[N]),
 	}
 }
@@ -86,6 +88,7 @@ func (s *histValues[N]) measure(_ context.Context, value N, attr attribute.Set)
 	s.valuesMu.Lock()
 	defer s.valuesMu.Unlock()
 
+	attr = s.limit.Attributes(attr, s.values)
 	b, ok := s.values[attr]
 	if !ok {
 		// N+1 buckets. For example:
@@ -108,9 +111,9 @@ func (s *histValues[N]) measure(_ context.Context, value N, attr attribute.Set)
 
 // newHistogram returns an Aggregator that summarizes a set of measurements as
 // an histogram.
-func newHistogram[N int64 | float64](boundaries []float64, noMinMax, noSum bool) *histogram[N] {
+func newHistogram[N int64 | float64](boundaries []float64, noMinMax, noSum bool, limit int) *histogram[N] {
 	return &histogram[N]{
-		histValues: newHistValues[N](boundaries, noSum),
+		histValues: newHistValues[N](boundaries, noSum, limit),
 		noMinMax:   noMinMax,
 		start:      now(),
 	}
diff --git a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/histogram_test.go b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/histogram_test.go
index ab44607e5..e51e9fc8f 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/histogram_test.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/histogram_test.go
@@ -53,8 +53,9 @@ type conf[N int64 | float64] struct {
 
 func testDeltaHist[N int64 | float64](c conf[N]) func(t *testing.T) {
 	in, out := Builder[N]{
-		Temporality: metricdata.DeltaTemporality,
-		Filter:      attrFltr,
+		Temporality:      metricdata.DeltaTemporality,
+		Filter:           attrFltr,
+		AggregationLimit: 3,
 	}.ExplicitBucketHistogram(bounds, noMinMax, c.noSum)
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	return test[N](in, out, []teststep[N]{
@@ -114,13 +115,34 @@ func testDeltaHist[N int64 | float64](c conf[N]) func(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		{
+			input: []arg[N]{
+				{ctx, 1, alice},
+				{ctx, 1, bob},
+				// These will exceed cardinality limit.
+				{ctx, 1, carol},
+				{ctx, 1, dave},
+			},
+			expect: output{
+				n: 3,
+				agg: metricdata.Histogram[N]{
+					Temporality: metricdata.DeltaTemporality,
+					DataPoints: []metricdata.HistogramDataPoint[N]{
+						c.hPt(fltrAlice, 1, 1),
+						c.hPt(fltrBob, 1, 1),
+						c.hPt(overflowSet, 1, 2),
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
 	})
 }
 
 func testCumulativeHist[N int64 | float64](c conf[N]) func(t *testing.T) {
 	in, out := Builder[N]{
-		Temporality: metricdata.CumulativeTemporality,
-		Filter:      attrFltr,
+		Temporality:      metricdata.CumulativeTemporality,
+		Filter:           attrFltr,
+		AggregationLimit: 3,
 	}.ExplicitBucketHistogram(bounds, noMinMax, c.noSum)
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	return test[N](in, out, []teststep[N]{
@@ -182,6 +204,24 @@ func testCumulativeHist[N int64 | float64](c conf[N]) func(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		{
+			input: []arg[N]{
+				// These will exceed cardinality limit.
+				{ctx, 1, carol},
+				{ctx, 1, dave},
+			},
+			expect: output{
+				n: 3,
+				agg: metricdata.Histogram[N]{
+					Temporality: metricdata.CumulativeTemporality,
+					DataPoints: []metricdata.HistogramDataPoint[N]{
+						c.hPt(fltrAlice, 2, 4),
+						c.hPt(fltrBob, 10, 3),
+						c.hPt(overflowSet, 1, 2),
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
 	})
 }
 
@@ -273,7 +313,7 @@ func TestHistogramImmutableBounds(t *testing.T) {
 	cpB := make([]float64, len(b))
 	copy(cpB, b)
 
-	h := newHistogram[int64](b, false, false)
+	h := newHistogram[int64](b, false, false, 0)
 	require.Equal(t, cpB, h.bounds)
 
 	b[0] = 10
@@ -289,7 +329,7 @@ func TestHistogramImmutableBounds(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCumulativeHistogramImutableCounts(t *testing.T) {
-	h := newHistogram[int64](bounds, noMinMax, false)
+	h := newHistogram[int64](bounds, noMinMax, false, 0)
 	h.measure(context.Background(), 5, alice)
 
 	var data metricdata.Aggregation = metricdata.Histogram[int64]{}
@@ -307,7 +347,7 @@ func TestCumulativeHistogramImutableCounts(t *testing.T) {
 func TestDeltaHistogramReset(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Cleanup(mockTime(now))
 
-	h := newHistogram[int64](bounds, noMinMax, false)
+	h := newHistogram[int64](bounds, noMinMax, false, 0)
 
 	var data metricdata.Aggregation = metricdata.Histogram[int64]{}
 	require.Equal(t, 0, h.delta(&data))
diff --git a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/lastvalue.go b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/lastvalue.go
index 6af2d6061..b79e80a0c 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/lastvalue.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/lastvalue.go
@@ -29,20 +29,25 @@ type datapoint[N int64 | float64] struct {
 	value     N
 }
 
-func newLastValue[N int64 | float64]() *lastValue[N] {
-	return &lastValue[N]{values: make(map[attribute.Set]datapoint[N])}
+func newLastValue[N int64 | float64](limit int) *lastValue[N] {
+	return &lastValue[N]{
+		limit:  newLimiter[datapoint[N]](limit),
+		values: make(map[attribute.Set]datapoint[N]),
+	}
 }
 
 // lastValue summarizes a set of measurements as the last one made.
 type lastValue[N int64 | float64] struct {
 	sync.Mutex
 
+	limit  limiter[datapoint[N]]
 	values map[attribute.Set]datapoint[N]
 }
 
 func (s *lastValue[N]) measure(ctx context.Context, value N, attr attribute.Set) {
 	d := datapoint[N]{timestamp: now(), value: value}
 	s.Lock()
+	attr = s.limit.Attributes(attr, s.values)
 	s.values[attr] = d
 	s.Unlock()
 }
diff --git a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/lastvalue_test.go b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/lastvalue_test.go
index c758eb370..479232ad4 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/lastvalue_test.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/lastvalue_test.go
@@ -29,7 +29,10 @@ func TestLastValue(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func testLastValue[N int64 | float64]() func(*testing.T) {
-	in, out := Builder[N]{Filter: attrFltr}.LastValue()
+	in, out := Builder[N]{
+		Filter:           attrFltr,
+		AggregationLimit: 3,
+	}.LastValue()
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	return test[N](in, out, []teststep[N]{
 		{
@@ -87,6 +90,36 @@ func testLastValue[N int64 | float64]() func(*testing.T) {
 					},
 				},
 			},
+		}, {
+			input: []arg[N]{
+				{ctx, 1, alice},
+				{ctx, 1, bob},
+				// These will exceed cardinality limit.
+				{ctx, 1, carol},
+				{ctx, 1, dave},
+			},
+			expect: output{
+				n: 3,
+				agg: metricdata.Gauge[N]{
+					DataPoints: []metricdata.DataPoint[N]{
+						{
+							Attributes: fltrAlice,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Value:      1,
+						},
+						{
+							Attributes: fltrBob,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Value:      1,
+						},
+						{
+							Attributes: overflowSet,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Value:      1,
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
 		},
 	})
 }
diff --git a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/limit.go b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/limit.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d3de84272
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/limit.go
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+// Copyright The OpenTelemetry Authors
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package aggregate // import "go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate"
+
+import "go.opentelemetry.io/otel/attribute"
+
+// overflowSet is the attribute set used to record a measurement when adding
+// another distinct attribute set to the aggregate would exceed the aggregate
+// limit.
+var overflowSet = attribute.NewSet(attribute.Bool("otel.metric.overflow", true))
+
+// limiter limits aggregate values.
+type limiter[V any] struct {
+	// aggLimit is the maximum number of metric streams that can be aggregated.
+	//
+	// Any metric stream with attributes distinct from any set already
+	// aggregated once the aggLimit will be meet will instead be aggregated
+	// into an "overflow" metric stream. That stream will only contain the
+	// "otel.metric.overflow"=true attribute.
+	aggLimit int
+}
+
+// newLimiter returns a new Limiter with the provided aggregation limit.
+func newLimiter[V any](aggregation int) limiter[V] {
+	return limiter[V]{aggLimit: aggregation}
+}
+
+// Attributes checks if adding a measurement for attrs will exceed the
+// aggregation cardinality limit for the existing measurements. If it will,
+// overflowSet is returned. Otherwise, if it will not exceed the limit, or the
+// limit is not set (limit <= 0), attr is returned.
+func (l limiter[V]) Attributes(attrs attribute.Set, measurements map[attribute.Set]V) attribute.Set {
+	if l.aggLimit > 0 {
+		_, exists := measurements[attrs]
+		if !exists && len(measurements) >= l.aggLimit-1 {
+			return overflowSet
+		}
+	}
+
+	return attrs
+}
diff --git a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/limit_test.go b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/limit_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cd524d339
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/limit_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+// Copyright The OpenTelemetry Authors
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package aggregate // import "go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate"
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+
+	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/attribute"
+)
+
+func TestLimiterAttributes(t *testing.T) {
+	m := map[attribute.Set]struct{}{alice: {}}
+	t.Run("NoLimit", func(t *testing.T) {
+		l := newLimiter[struct{}](0)
+		assert.Equal(t, alice, l.Attributes(alice, m))
+		assert.Equal(t, bob, l.Attributes(bob, m))
+	})
+
+	t.Run("NotAtLimit/Exists", func(t *testing.T) {
+		l := newLimiter[struct{}](3)
+		assert.Equal(t, alice, l.Attributes(alice, m))
+	})
+
+	t.Run("NotAtLimit/DoesNotExist", func(t *testing.T) {
+		l := newLimiter[struct{}](3)
+		assert.Equal(t, bob, l.Attributes(bob, m))
+	})
+
+	t.Run("AtLimit/Exists", func(t *testing.T) {
+		l := newLimiter[struct{}](2)
+		assert.Equal(t, alice, l.Attributes(alice, m))
+	})
+
+	t.Run("AtLimit/DoesNotExist", func(t *testing.T) {
+		l := newLimiter[struct{}](2)
+		assert.Equal(t, overflowSet, l.Attributes(bob, m))
+	})
+}
+
+var limitedAttr attribute.Set
+
+func BenchmarkLimiterAttributes(b *testing.B) {
+	m := map[attribute.Set]struct{}{alice: {}}
+	l := newLimiter[struct{}](2)
+
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	b.ResetTimer()
+
+	for n := 0; n < b.N; n++ {
+		limitedAttr = l.Attributes(alice, m)
+		limitedAttr = l.Attributes(bob, m)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/sum.go b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/sum.go
index 1e52ff0d1..a0d26e1dd 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/sum.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/sum.go
@@ -26,15 +26,20 @@ import (
 // valueMap is the storage for sums.
 type valueMap[N int64 | float64] struct {
 	sync.Mutex
+	limit  limiter[N]
 	values map[attribute.Set]N
 }
 
-func newValueMap[N int64 | float64]() *valueMap[N] {
-	return &valueMap[N]{values: make(map[attribute.Set]N)}
+func newValueMap[N int64 | float64](limit int) *valueMap[N] {
+	return &valueMap[N]{
+		limit:  newLimiter[N](limit),
+		values: make(map[attribute.Set]N),
+	}
 }
 
 func (s *valueMap[N]) measure(_ context.Context, value N, attr attribute.Set) {
 	s.Lock()
+	attr = s.limit.Attributes(attr, s.values)
 	s.values[attr] += value
 	s.Unlock()
 }
@@ -42,9 +47,9 @@ func (s *valueMap[N]) measure(_ context.Context, value N, attr attribute.Set) {
 // newSum returns an aggregator that summarizes a set of measurements as their
 // arithmetic sum. Each sum is scoped by attributes and the aggregation cycle
 // the measurements were made in.
-func newSum[N int64 | float64](monotonic bool) *sum[N] {
+func newSum[N int64 | float64](monotonic bool, limit int) *sum[N] {
 	return &sum[N]{
-		valueMap:  newValueMap[N](),
+		valueMap:  newValueMap[N](limit),
 		monotonic: monotonic,
 		start:     now(),
 	}
@@ -129,9 +134,9 @@ func (s *sum[N]) cumulative(dest *metricdata.Aggregation) int {
 // newPrecomputedSum returns an aggregator that summarizes a set of
 // observatrions as their arithmetic sum. Each sum is scoped by attributes and
 // the aggregation cycle the measurements were made in.
-func newPrecomputedSum[N int64 | float64](monotonic bool) *precomputedSum[N] {
+func newPrecomputedSum[N int64 | float64](monotonic bool, limit int) *precomputedSum[N] {
 	return &precomputedSum[N]{
-		valueMap:  newValueMap[N](),
+		valueMap:  newValueMap[N](limit),
 		monotonic: monotonic,
 		start:     now(),
 	}
diff --git a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/sum_test.go b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/sum_test.go
index 3ac675a09..b169fcad4 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/sum_test.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate/sum_test.go
@@ -40,8 +40,9 @@ func TestSum(t *testing.T) {
 func testDeltaSum[N int64 | float64]() func(t *testing.T) {
 	mono := false
 	in, out := Builder[N]{
-		Temporality: metricdata.DeltaTemporality,
-		Filter:      attrFltr,
+		Temporality:      metricdata.DeltaTemporality,
+		Filter:           attrFltr,
+		AggregationLimit: 3,
 	}.Sum(mono)
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	return test[N](in, out, []teststep[N]{
@@ -125,14 +126,51 @@ func testDeltaSum[N int64 | float64]() func(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		{
+			input: []arg[N]{
+				{ctx, 1, alice},
+				{ctx, 1, bob},
+				// These will exceed cardinality limit.
+				{ctx, 1, carol},
+				{ctx, 1, dave},
+			},
+			expect: output{
+				n: 3,
+				agg: metricdata.Sum[N]{
+					IsMonotonic: mono,
+					Temporality: metricdata.DeltaTemporality,
+					DataPoints: []metricdata.DataPoint[N]{
+						{
+							Attributes: fltrAlice,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Value:      1,
+						},
+						{
+							Attributes: fltrBob,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Value:      1,
+						},
+						{
+							Attributes: overflowSet,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Value:      2,
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
 	})
 }
 
 func testCumulativeSum[N int64 | float64]() func(t *testing.T) {
 	mono := false
 	in, out := Builder[N]{
-		Temporality: metricdata.CumulativeTemporality,
-		Filter:      attrFltr,
+		Temporality:      metricdata.CumulativeTemporality,
+		Filter:           attrFltr,
+		AggregationLimit: 3,
 	}.Sum(mono)
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	return test[N](in, out, []teststep[N]{
@@ -204,14 +242,49 @@ func testCumulativeSum[N int64 | float64]() func(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		{
+			input: []arg[N]{
+				// These will exceed cardinality limit.
+				{ctx, 1, carol},
+				{ctx, 1, dave},
+			},
+			expect: output{
+				n: 3,
+				agg: metricdata.Sum[N]{
+					IsMonotonic: mono,
+					Temporality: metricdata.CumulativeTemporality,
+					DataPoints: []metricdata.DataPoint[N]{
+						{
+							Attributes: fltrAlice,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Value:      14,
+						},
+						{
+							Attributes: fltrBob,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Value:      -8,
+						},
+						{
+							Attributes: overflowSet,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Value:      2,
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
 	})
 }
 
 func testDeltaPrecomputedSum[N int64 | float64]() func(t *testing.T) {
 	mono := false
 	in, out := Builder[N]{
-		Temporality: metricdata.DeltaTemporality,
-		Filter:      attrFltr,
+		Temporality:      metricdata.DeltaTemporality,
+		Filter:           attrFltr,
+		AggregationLimit: 3,
 	}.PrecomputedSum(mono)
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	return test[N](in, out, []teststep[N]{
@@ -296,14 +369,51 @@ func testDeltaPrecomputedSum[N int64 | float64]() func(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		{
+			input: []arg[N]{
+				{ctx, 1, alice},
+				{ctx, 1, bob},
+				// These will exceed cardinality limit.
+				{ctx, 1, carol},
+				{ctx, 1, dave},
+			},
+			expect: output{
+				n: 3,
+				agg: metricdata.Sum[N]{
+					IsMonotonic: mono,
+					Temporality: metricdata.DeltaTemporality,
+					DataPoints: []metricdata.DataPoint[N]{
+						{
+							Attributes: fltrAlice,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Value:      1,
+						},
+						{
+							Attributes: fltrBob,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Value:      1,
+						},
+						{
+							Attributes: overflowSet,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Value:      2,
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
 	})
 }
 
 func testCumulativePrecomputedSum[N int64 | float64]() func(t *testing.T) {
 	mono := false
 	in, out := Builder[N]{
-		Temporality: metricdata.CumulativeTemporality,
-		Filter:      attrFltr,
+		Temporality:      metricdata.CumulativeTemporality,
+		Filter:           attrFltr,
+		AggregationLimit: 3,
 	}.PrecomputedSum(mono)
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	return test[N](in, out, []teststep[N]{
@@ -388,6 +498,42 @@ func testCumulativePrecomputedSum[N int64 | float64]() func(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		{
+			input: []arg[N]{
+				{ctx, 1, alice},
+				{ctx, 1, bob},
+				// These will exceed cardinality limit.
+				{ctx, 1, carol},
+				{ctx, 1, dave},
+			},
+			expect: output{
+				n: 3,
+				agg: metricdata.Sum[N]{
+					IsMonotonic: mono,
+					Temporality: metricdata.CumulativeTemporality,
+					DataPoints: []metricdata.DataPoint[N]{
+						{
+							Attributes: fltrAlice,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Value:      1,
+						},
+						{
+							Attributes: fltrBob,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Value:      1,
+						},
+						{
+							Attributes: overflowSet,
+							StartTime:  staticTime,
+							Time:       staticTime,
+							Value:      2,
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
 	})
 }
 
diff --git a/sdk/metric/internal/x/x.go b/sdk/metric/internal/x/x.go
index 289139572..541160f94 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/internal/x/x.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/internal/x/x.go
@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@ var (
 	//
 	// To enable this feature set the OTEL_GO_X_CARDINALITY_LIMIT environment
 	// variable to the integer limit value you want to use.
+	//
+	// Setting OTEL_GO_X_CARDINALITY_LIMIT to a value less than or equal to 0
+	// will disable the cardinality limits.
 	CardinalityLimit = newFeature("CARDINALITY_LIMIT", func(v string) (int, bool) {
 		n, err := strconv.Atoi(v)
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/sdk/metric/pipeline.go b/sdk/metric/pipeline.go
index 75e3af49b..47d9fe07a 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/pipeline.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/pipeline.go
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import (
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/instrumentation"
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/metric/internal"
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/metric/internal/aggregate"
+	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/metric/internal/x"
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/metric/metricdata"
 	"go.opentelemetry.io/otel/sdk/resource"
 )
@@ -361,6 +362,12 @@ func (i *inserter[N]) cachedAggregator(scope instrumentation.Scope, kind Instrum
 			Temporality: i.pipeline.reader.temporality(kind),
 		}
 		b.Filter = stream.AttributeFilter
+		// A value less than or equal to zero will disable the aggregation
+		// limits for the builder (an all the created aggregates).
+		// CardinalityLimit.Lookup returns 0 by default if unset (or
+		// unrecognized input). Use that value directly.
+		b.AggregationLimit, _ = x.CardinalityLimit.Lookup()
+
 		in, out, err := i.aggregateFunc(b, stream.Aggregation, kind)
 		if err != nil {
 			return aggVal[N]{0, nil, err}