diff --git a/builtin/logical/pki/backend.go b/builtin/logical/pki/backend.go
index e9f509025463..1b093d03ce55 100644
--- a/builtin/logical/pki/backend.go
+++ b/builtin/logical/pki/backend.go
@@ -9,12 +9,12 @@ import (
 	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
 
+	atomic2 "go.uber.org/atomic"
+
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/constants"
 
 	"github.com/hashicorp/go-multierror"
 
-	atomic2 "go.uber.org/atomic"
-
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
 
 	"github.com/armon/go-metrics"
@@ -244,9 +244,12 @@ func Backend(conf *logical.BackendConfig) *backend {
 	b.lastTidy = time.Now()
 
 	// Metrics initialization for count of certificates in storage
+	b.certCountEnabled = atomic2.NewBool(false)
+	b.publishCertCountMetrics = atomic2.NewBool(false)
 	b.certsCounted = atomic2.NewBool(false)
-	b.certCount = new(uint32)
-	b.revokedCertCount = new(uint32)
+	b.certCountError = "Initialize Not Yet Run, Cert Counts Unavailable"
+	b.certCount = &atomic.Uint32{}
+	b.revokedCertCount = &atomic.Uint32{}
 	b.possibleDoubleCountedSerials = make([]string, 0, 250)
 	b.possibleDoubleCountedRevokedSerials = make([]string, 0, 250)
 
@@ -270,9 +273,12 @@ type backend struct {
 
 	unifiedTransferStatus *unifiedTransferStatus
 
-	certCount                           *uint32
-	revokedCertCount                    *uint32
+	certCountEnabled                    *atomic2.Bool
+	publishCertCountMetrics             *atomic2.Bool
+	certCount                           *atomic.Uint32
+	revokedCertCount                    *atomic.Uint32
 	certsCounted                        *atomic2.Bool
+	certCountError                      string
 	possibleDoubleCountedSerials        []string
 	possibleDoubleCountedRevokedSerials []string
 
@@ -364,9 +370,10 @@ func (b *backend) initialize(ctx context.Context, _ *logical.InitializationReque
 	// Initialize also needs to populate our certificate and revoked certificate count
 	err = b.initializeStoredCertificateCounts(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		// Don't block/err initialize/startup for metrics.  Context on this call can time out due to number of certificates.
+		b.Logger().Error("Could not initialize stored certificate counts", err)
+		b.certCountError = err.Error()
 	}
-
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -601,6 +608,13 @@ func (b *backend) periodicFunc(ctx context.Context, request *logical.Request) er
 	crlErr := doCRL()
 	tidyErr := doAutoTidy()
 
+	// Periodically re-emit gauges so that they don't disappear/go stale
+	tidyConfig, err := sc.getAutoTidyConfig()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	b.emitCertStoreMetrics(tidyConfig)
+
 	var errors error
 	if crlErr != nil {
 		errors = multierror.Append(errors, fmt.Errorf("Error building CRLs:\n - %w\n", crlErr))
@@ -625,24 +639,51 @@ func (b *backend) periodicFunc(ctx context.Context, request *logical.Request) er
 }
 
 func (b *backend) initializeStoredCertificateCounts(ctx context.Context) error {
-	b.tidyStatusLock.RLock()
-	defer b.tidyStatusLock.RUnlock()
 	// For performance reasons, we can't lock on issuance/storage of certs until a list operation completes,
 	// but we want to limit possible miscounts / double-counts to over-counting, so we take the tidy lock which
 	// prevents (most) deletions - in particular we take a read lock (sufficient to block the write lock in
 	// tidyStatusStart while allowing tidy to still acquire a read lock to report via its endpoint)
+	b.tidyStatusLock.RLock()
+	defer b.tidyStatusLock.RUnlock()
+	sc := b.makeStorageContext(ctx, b.storage)
+	config, err := sc.getAutoTidyConfig()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	b.certCountEnabled.Store(config.MaintainCount)
+	b.publishCertCountMetrics.Store(config.PublishMetrics)
+
+	if config.MaintainCount == false {
+		b.possibleDoubleCountedRevokedSerials = nil
+		b.possibleDoubleCountedSerials = nil
+		b.certsCounted.Store(true)
+		b.certCount.Store(0)
+		b.revokedCertCount.Store(0)
+		b.certCountError = "Cert Count is Disabled: enable via Tidy Config maintain_stored_certificate_counts"
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Ideally these three things would be set in one transaction, since that isn't possible, set the counts to "0",
+	// first, so count will over-count (and miss putting things in deduplicate queue), rather than under-count.
+	b.certCount.Store(0)
+	b.revokedCertCount.Store(0)
+	b.possibleDoubleCountedRevokedSerials = nil
+	b.possibleDoubleCountedSerials = nil
+	// A cert issued or revoked here will be double-counted.  That's okay, this is "best effort" metrics.
+	b.certsCounted.Store(false)
 
 	entries, err := b.storage.List(ctx, "certs/")
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	atomic.AddUint32(b.certCount, uint32(len(entries)))
+	b.certCount.Add(uint32(len(entries)))
 
 	revokedEntries, err := b.storage.List(ctx, "revoked/")
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	atomic.AddUint32(b.revokedCertCount, uint32(len(revokedEntries)))
+	b.revokedCertCount.Add(uint32(len(revokedEntries)))
 
 	b.certsCounted.Store(true)
 	// Now that the metrics are set, we can switch from appending newly-stored certificates to the possible double-count
@@ -723,64 +764,98 @@ func (b *backend) initializeStoredCertificateCounts(ctx context.Context) error {
 	b.possibleDoubleCountedRevokedSerials = nil
 	b.possibleDoubleCountedSerials = nil
 
-	certCount := atomic.LoadUint32(b.certCount)
-	metrics.SetGauge([]string{"secrets", "pki", b.backendUUID, "total_certificates_stored"}, float32(certCount))
-	revokedCertCount := atomic.LoadUint32(b.revokedCertCount)
-	metrics.SetGauge([]string{"secrets", "pki", b.backendUUID, "total_revoked_certificates_stored"}, float32(revokedCertCount))
+	b.emitCertStoreMetrics(config)
+
+	b.certCountError = ""
 
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (b *backend) emitCertStoreMetrics(config *tidyConfig) {
+	if config.PublishMetrics == true {
+		certCount := b.certCount.Load()
+		b.emitTotalCertCountMetric(certCount)
+		revokedCertCount := b.revokedCertCount.Load()
+		b.emitTotalRevokedCountMetric(revokedCertCount)
+	}
+}
+
 // The "certsCounted" boolean here should be loaded from the backend certsCounted before the corresponding storage call:
 // eg. certsCounted := b.certsCounted.Load()
-func (b *backend) incrementTotalCertificatesCount(certsCounted bool, newSerial string) {
-	certCount := atomic.AddUint32(b.certCount, 1)
-	switch {
-	case !certsCounted:
-		// This is unsafe, but a good best-attempt
-		if strings.HasPrefix(newSerial, "certs/") {
-			newSerial = newSerial[6:]
+func (b *backend) ifCountEnabledIncrementTotalCertificatesCount(certsCounted bool, newSerial string) {
+	if b.certCountEnabled.Load() {
+		certCount := b.certCount.Add(1)
+		switch {
+		case !certsCounted:
+			// This is unsafe, but a good best-attempt
+			if strings.HasPrefix(newSerial, "certs/") {
+				newSerial = newSerial[6:]
+			}
+			b.possibleDoubleCountedSerials = append(b.possibleDoubleCountedSerials, newSerial)
+		default:
+			if b.publishCertCountMetrics.Load() {
+				b.emitTotalCertCountMetric(certCount)
+			}
 		}
-		b.possibleDoubleCountedSerials = append(b.possibleDoubleCountedSerials, newSerial)
-	default:
-		metrics.SetGauge([]string{"secrets", "pki", b.backendUUID, "total_certificates_stored"}, float32(certCount))
 	}
 }
 
-func (b *backend) decrementTotalCertificatesCountReport() {
-	certCount := b.decrementTotalCertificatesCountNoReport()
+func (b *backend) ifCountEnabledDecrementTotalCertificatesCountReport() {
+	if b.certCountEnabled.Load() {
+		certCount := b.decrementTotalCertificatesCountNoReport()
+		if b.publishCertCountMetrics.Load() {
+			b.emitTotalCertCountMetric(certCount)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (b *backend) emitTotalCertCountMetric(certCount uint32) {
 	metrics.SetGauge([]string{"secrets", "pki", b.backendUUID, "total_certificates_stored"}, float32(certCount))
 }
 
 // Called directly only by the initialize function to deduplicate the count, when we don't have a full count yet
+// Does not respect whether-we-are-counting backend information.
 func (b *backend) decrementTotalCertificatesCountNoReport() uint32 {
-	newCount := atomic.AddUint32(b.certCount, ^uint32(0))
+	newCount := b.certCount.Add(^uint32(0))
 	return newCount
 }
 
 // The "certsCounted" boolean here should be loaded from the backend certsCounted before the corresponding storage call:
 // eg. certsCounted := b.certsCounted.Load()
-func (b *backend) incrementTotalRevokedCertificatesCount(certsCounted bool, newSerial string) {
-	newRevokedCertCount := atomic.AddUint32(b.revokedCertCount, 1)
-	switch {
-	case !certsCounted:
-		// This is unsafe, but a good best-attempt
-		if strings.HasPrefix(newSerial, "revoked/") { // allow passing in the path (revoked/serial) OR the serial
-			newSerial = newSerial[8:]
+func (b *backend) ifCountEnabledIncrementTotalRevokedCertificatesCount(certsCounted bool, newSerial string) {
+	if b.certCountEnabled.Load() {
+		newRevokedCertCount := b.revokedCertCount.Add(1)
+		switch {
+		case !certsCounted:
+			// This is unsafe, but a good best-attempt
+			if strings.HasPrefix(newSerial, "revoked/") { // allow passing in the path (revoked/serial) OR the serial
+				newSerial = newSerial[8:]
+			}
+			b.possibleDoubleCountedRevokedSerials = append(b.possibleDoubleCountedRevokedSerials, newSerial)
+		default:
+			if b.publishCertCountMetrics.Load() {
+				b.emitTotalRevokedCountMetric(newRevokedCertCount)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (b *backend) ifCountEnabledDecrementTotalRevokedCertificatesCountReport() {
+	if b.certCountEnabled.Load() {
+		revokedCertCount := b.decrementTotalRevokedCertificatesCountNoReport()
+		if b.publishCertCountMetrics.Load() {
+			b.emitTotalRevokedCountMetric(revokedCertCount)
 		}
-		b.possibleDoubleCountedRevokedSerials = append(b.possibleDoubleCountedRevokedSerials, newSerial)
-	default:
-		metrics.SetGauge([]string{"secrets", "pki", b.backendUUID, "total_revoked_certificates_stored"}, float32(newRevokedCertCount))
 	}
 }
 
-func (b *backend) decrementTotalRevokedCertificatesCountReport() {
-	revokedCertCount := b.decrementTotalRevokedCertificatesCountNoReport()
+func (b *backend) emitTotalRevokedCountMetric(revokedCertCount uint32) {
 	metrics.SetGauge([]string{"secrets", "pki", b.backendUUID, "total_revoked_certificates_stored"}, float32(revokedCertCount))
 }
 
 // Called directly only by the initialize function to deduplicate the count, when we don't have a full count yet
+// Does not respect whether-we-are-counting backend information.
 func (b *backend) decrementTotalRevokedCertificatesCountNoReport() uint32 {
-	newRevokedCertCount := atomic.AddUint32(b.revokedCertCount, ^uint32(0))
+	newRevokedCertCount := b.revokedCertCount.Add(^uint32(0))
 	return newRevokedCertCount
 }
diff --git a/builtin/logical/pki/backend_test.go b/builtin/logical/pki/backend_test.go
index 51f986b5329c..6e07ccfeeee1 100644
--- a/builtin/logical/pki/backend_test.go
+++ b/builtin/logical/pki/backend_test.go
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ import (
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
-	"sync/atomic"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
@@ -3797,6 +3796,15 @@ func TestBackend_RevokePlusTidy_Intermediate(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
+	// Set up Metric Configuration, then restart to enable it
+	_, err = client.Logical().Write("pki/config/auto-tidy", map[string]interface{}{
+		"maintain_stored_certificate_counts":       true,
+		"publish_stored_certificate_count_metrics": true,
+	})
+	_, err = client.Logical().Write("/sys/plugins/reload/backend", map[string]interface{}{
+		"mounts": "pki/",
+	})
+
 	// Check the metrics initialized in order to calculate backendUUID for /pki
 	// BackendUUID not consistent during tests with UUID from /sys/mounts/pki
 	metricsSuffix := "total_certificates_stored"
@@ -3833,6 +3841,14 @@ func TestBackend_RevokePlusTidy_Intermediate(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	// Set up Metric Configuration, then restart to enable it
+	_, err = client.Logical().Write("pki2/config/auto-tidy", map[string]interface{}{
+		"maintain_stored_certificate_counts":       true,
+		"publish_stored_certificate_count_metrics": true,
+	})
+	_, err = client.Logical().Write("/sys/plugins/reload/backend", map[string]interface{}{
+		"mounts": "pki2/",
+	})
 
 	// Create a CSR for the intermediate CA
 	secret, err := client.Logical().Write("pki2/intermediate/generate/internal", nil)
@@ -3961,6 +3977,7 @@ func TestBackend_RevokePlusTidy_Intermediate(t *testing.T) {
 			"current_revoked_cert_count":            json.Number("0"),
 			"revocation_queue_deleted_count":        json.Number("0"),
 			"cross_revoked_cert_deleted_count":      json.Number("0"),
+			"internal_backend_uuid":                 backendUUID,
 		}
 		// Let's copy the times from the response so that we can use deep.Equal()
 		timeStarted, ok := tidyStatus.Data["time_started"]
@@ -5590,6 +5607,14 @@ func TestBackend_InitializeCertificateCounts(t *testing.T) {
 		serials[i] = resp.Data["serial_number"].(string)
 	}
 
+	// Turn on certificate counting:
+	CBWrite(b, s, "config/auto-tidy", map[string]interface{}{
+		"maintain_stored_certificate_counts":       true,
+		"publish_stored_certificate_count_metrics": false,
+	})
+	// Assert initialize from clean is correct:
+	b.initializeStoredCertificateCounts(ctx)
+
 	// Revoke certificates A + B
 	revocations := serials[0:2]
 	for _, key := range revocations {
@@ -5601,18 +5626,16 @@ func TestBackend_InitializeCertificateCounts(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Assert initialize from clean is correct:
-	b.initializeStoredCertificateCounts(ctx)
-	if atomic.LoadUint32(b.certCount) != 6 {
-		t.Fatalf("Failed to count six certificates root,A,B,C,D,E, instead counted %d certs", atomic.LoadUint32(b.certCount))
+	if b.certCount.Load() != 6 {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to count six certificates root,A,B,C,D,E, instead counted %d certs", b.certCount.Load())
 	}
-	if atomic.LoadUint32(b.revokedCertCount) != 2 {
-		t.Fatalf("Failed to count two revoked certificates A+B, instead counted %d certs", atomic.LoadUint32(b.revokedCertCount))
+	if b.revokedCertCount.Load() != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to count two revoked certificates A+B, instead counted %d certs", b.revokedCertCount.Load())
 	}
 
 	// Simulates listing while initialize in progress, by "restarting it"
-	atomic.StoreUint32(b.certCount, 0)
-	atomic.StoreUint32(b.revokedCertCount, 0)
+	b.certCount.Store(0)
+	b.revokedCertCount.Store(0)
 	b.certsCounted.Store(false)
 
 	// Revoke certificates C, D
@@ -5641,12 +5664,12 @@ func TestBackend_InitializeCertificateCounts(t *testing.T) {
 	b.initializeStoredCertificateCounts(ctx)
 
 	// Test certificate count
-	if atomic.LoadUint32(b.certCount) != 8 {
-		t.Fatalf("Failed to initialize count of certificates root, A,B,C,D,E,F,G counted %d certs", *(b.certCount))
+	if b.certCount.Load() != 8 {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to initialize count of certificates root, A,B,C,D,E,F,G counted %d certs", b.certCount.Load())
 	}
 
-	if atomic.LoadUint32(b.revokedCertCount) != 4 {
-		t.Fatalf("Failed to count revoked certificates A,B,C,D counted %d certs", *(b.revokedCertCount))
+	if b.revokedCertCount.Load() != 4 {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to count revoked certificates A,B,C,D counted %d certs", b.revokedCertCount.Load())
 	}
 
 	return
diff --git a/builtin/logical/pki/cert_util.go b/builtin/logical/pki/cert_util.go
index 45f315c946ba..5845c808550e 100644
--- a/builtin/logical/pki/cert_util.go
+++ b/builtin/logical/pki/cert_util.go
@@ -234,9 +234,9 @@ func fetchCertBySerial(sc *storageContext, prefix, serial string) (*logical.Stor
 		// If we fail here, we have an extra (copy) of a cert in storage, add to metrics:
 		switch {
 		case strings.HasPrefix(prefix, "revoked/"):
-			sc.Backend.incrementTotalRevokedCertificatesCount(certsCounted, path)
+			sc.Backend.ifCountEnabledIncrementTotalRevokedCertificatesCount(certsCounted, path)
 		default:
-			sc.Backend.incrementTotalCertificatesCount(certsCounted, path)
+			sc.Backend.ifCountEnabledIncrementTotalCertificatesCount(certsCounted, path)
 		}
 		return nil, errutil.InternalError{Err: fmt.Sprintf("error deleting certificate with serial %s from old location", serial)}
 	}
diff --git a/builtin/logical/pki/crl_util.go b/builtin/logical/pki/crl_util.go
index 7cd975f75f1c..cb41eb61753e 100644
--- a/builtin/logical/pki/crl_util.go
+++ b/builtin/logical/pki/crl_util.go
@@ -978,7 +978,7 @@ func revokeCert(sc *storageContext, config *crlConfig, cert *x509.Certificate) (
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error saving revoked certificate to new location")
 	}
-	sc.Backend.incrementTotalRevokedCertificatesCount(certsCounted, revEntry.Key)
+	sc.Backend.ifCountEnabledIncrementTotalRevokedCertificatesCount(certsCounted, revEntry.Key)
 
 	// If this flag is enabled after the fact, existing local entries will be published to
 	// the unified storage space through a periodic function.
diff --git a/builtin/logical/pki/fields.go b/builtin/logical/pki/fields.go
index e806f473a3be..722d7bfc992f 100644
--- a/builtin/logical/pki/fields.go
+++ b/builtin/logical/pki/fields.go
@@ -518,6 +518,23 @@ greater period of time. By default this is zero seconds.`,
 		Default: "0s",
 	}
 
+	fields["maintain_stored_certificate_counts"] = &framework.FieldSchema{
+		Type: framework.TypeBool,
+		Description: `This configures whether stored certificates 
+are counted upon initialization of the backend, and whether during 
+normal operation, a running count of certificates stored is maintained.`,
+		Default: false,
+	}
+
+	fields["publish_stored_certificate_count_metrics"] = &framework.FieldSchema{
+		Type: framework.TypeBool,
+		Description: `This configures whether the stored certificate 
+count is published to the metrics consumer.  It does not affect if the
+stored certificate count is maintained, and if maintained, it will be
+available on the tidy-status endpoint.`,
+		Default: false,
+	}
+
 	fields["tidy_revocation_queue"] = &framework.FieldSchema{
 		Type: framework.TypeBool,
 		Description: `Set to true to remove stale revocation queue entries
diff --git a/builtin/logical/pki/path_issue_sign.go b/builtin/logical/pki/path_issue_sign.go
index ccb1251b63e5..c8bc0088cb13 100644
--- a/builtin/logical/pki/path_issue_sign.go
+++ b/builtin/logical/pki/path_issue_sign.go
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@ func (b *backend) pathIssueSignCert(ctx context.Context, req *logical.Request, d
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to store certificate locally: %w", err)
 		}
-		b.incrementTotalCertificatesCount(certsCounted, key)
+		b.ifCountEnabledIncrementTotalCertificatesCount(certsCounted, key)
 	}
 
 	if useCSR {
diff --git a/builtin/logical/pki/path_root.go b/builtin/logical/pki/path_root.go
index 03aa3a3e6fda..0eb33434da22 100644
--- a/builtin/logical/pki/path_root.go
+++ b/builtin/logical/pki/path_root.go
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ func (b *backend) pathCAGenerateRoot(ctx context.Context, req *logical.Request,
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to store certificate locally: %w", err)
 	}
-	b.incrementTotalCertificatesCount(certsCounted, key)
+	b.ifCountEnabledIncrementTotalCertificatesCount(certsCounted, key)
 
 	// Build a fresh CRL
 	err = b.crlBuilder.rebuild(sc, true)
@@ -468,7 +468,7 @@ func (b *backend) pathIssuerSignIntermediate(ctx context.Context, req *logical.R
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to store certificate locally: %w", err)
 	}
-	b.incrementTotalCertificatesCount(certsCounted, key)
+	b.ifCountEnabledIncrementTotalCertificatesCount(certsCounted, key)
 
 	if parsedBundle.Certificate.MaxPathLen == 0 {
 		resp.AddWarning("Max path length of the signed certificate is zero. This certificate cannot be used to issue intermediate CA certificates.")
diff --git a/builtin/logical/pki/path_tidy.go b/builtin/logical/pki/path_tidy.go
index 8bd22da10f6f..4c0519c00982 100644
--- a/builtin/logical/pki/path_tidy.go
+++ b/builtin/logical/pki/path_tidy.go
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ type tidyConfig struct {
 	SafetyBuffer       time.Duration `json:"safety_buffer"`
 	IssuerSafetyBuffer time.Duration `json:"issuer_safety_buffer"`
 	PauseDuration      time.Duration `json:"pause_duration"`
+	MaintainCount      bool          `json:"maintain_stored_certificate_counts"`
+	PublishMetrics     bool          `json:"publish_stored_certificate_count_metrics"`
 	RevocationQueue    bool          `json:"tidy_revocation_queue"`
 	QueueSafetyBuffer  time.Duration `json:"revocation_queue_safety_buffer"`
 	CrossRevokedCerts  bool          `json:"tidy_cross_cluster_revoked_certs"`
@@ -86,6 +88,8 @@ var defaultTidyConfig = tidyConfig{
 	SafetyBuffer:       72 * time.Hour,
 	IssuerSafetyBuffer: 365 * 24 * time.Hour,
 	PauseDuration:      0 * time.Second,
+	MaintainCount:      false,
+	PublishMetrics:     false,
 	RevocationQueue:    false,
 	QueueSafetyBuffer:  48 * time.Hour,
 	CrossRevokedCerts:  false,
@@ -973,11 +977,26 @@ func (b *backend) pathTidyStatusRead(_ context.Context, _ *logical.Request, _ *f
 			"missing_issuer_cert_count":             nil,
 			"current_cert_store_count":              nil,
 			"current_revoked_cert_count":            nil,
+			"internal_backend_uuid":                 nil,
 			"revocation_queue_deleted_count":        nil,
 			"cross_revoked_cert_deleted_count":      nil,
 		},
 	}
 
+	resp.Data["internal_backend_uuid"] = b.backendUUID
+
+	if b.certCountEnabled.Load() {
+		resp.Data["current_cert_store_count"] = b.certCount.Load()
+		resp.Data["current_revoked_cert_count"] = b.revokedCertCount.Load()
+		if !b.certsCounted.Load() {
+			resp.AddWarning("Certificates in storage are still being counted, current counts provided may be " +
+				"inaccurate")
+		}
+		if b.certCountError != "" {
+			resp.Data["certificate_counting_error"] = b.certCountError
+		}
+	}
+
 	if b.tidyStatus.state == tidyStatusInactive {
 		return resp, nil
 	}
@@ -1020,14 +1039,6 @@ func (b *backend) pathTidyStatusRead(_ context.Context, _ *logical.Request, _ *f
 		resp.Data["time_finished"] = b.tidyStatus.timeFinished
 	}
 
-	resp.Data["current_cert_store_count"] = atomic.LoadUint32(b.certCount)
-	resp.Data["current_revoked_cert_count"] = atomic.LoadUint32(b.revokedCertCount)
-
-	if !b.certsCounted.Load() {
-		resp.AddWarning("Certificates in storage are still being counted, current counts provided may be " +
-			"inaccurate")
-	}
-
 	return resp, nil
 }
 
@@ -1040,19 +1051,21 @@ func (b *backend) pathConfigAutoTidyRead(ctx context.Context, req *logical.Reque
 
 	return &logical.Response{
 		Data: map[string]interface{}{
-			"enabled":                               config.Enabled,
-			"interval_duration":                     int(config.Interval / time.Second),
-			"tidy_cert_store":                       config.CertStore,
-			"tidy_revoked_certs":                    config.RevokedCerts,
-			"tidy_revoked_cert_issuer_associations": config.IssuerAssocs,
-			"tidy_expired_issuers":                  config.ExpiredIssuers,
-			"tidy_move_legacy_ca_bundle":            config.BackupBundle,
-			"safety_buffer":                         int(config.SafetyBuffer / time.Second),
-			"issuer_safety_buffer":                  int(config.IssuerSafetyBuffer / time.Second),
-			"pause_duration":                        config.PauseDuration.String(),
-			"tidy_revocation_queue":                 config.RevocationQueue,
-			"revocation_queue_safety_buffer":        int(config.QueueSafetyBuffer / time.Second),
-			"tidy_cross_cluster_revoked_certs":      config.CrossRevokedCerts,
+			"enabled":                                  config.Enabled,
+			"interval_duration":                        int(config.Interval / time.Second),
+			"tidy_cert_store":                          config.CertStore,
+			"tidy_revoked_certs":                       config.RevokedCerts,
+			"tidy_revoked_cert_issuer_associations":    config.IssuerAssocs,
+			"tidy_expired_issuers":                     config.ExpiredIssuers,
+			"safety_buffer":                            int(config.SafetyBuffer / time.Second),
+			"issuer_safety_buffer":                     int(config.IssuerSafetyBuffer / time.Second),
+			"pause_duration":                           config.PauseDuration.String(),
+			"publish_stored_certificate_count_metrics": config.PublishMetrics,
+			"maintain_stored_certificate_counts":       config.MaintainCount,
+			"tidy_move_legacy_ca_bundle":               config.BackupBundle,
+			"tidy_revocation_queue":                    config.RevocationQueue,
+			"revocation_queue_safety_buffer":           int(config.QueueSafetyBuffer / time.Second),
+			"tidy_cross_cluster_revoked_certs":         config.CrossRevokedCerts,
 		},
 	}, nil
 }
@@ -1139,6 +1152,17 @@ func (b *backend) pathConfigAutoTidyWrite(ctx context.Context, req *logical.Requ
 		return logical.ErrorResponse("Auto-tidy enabled but no tidy operations were requested. Enable at least one tidy operation to be run (tidy_cert_store / tidy_revoked_certs / tidy_revoked_cert_issuer_associations / tidy_expired_issuers / tidy_move_legacy_ca_bundle / tidy_revocation_queue / tidy_cross_cluster_revoked_certs)."), nil
 	}
 
+	if maintainCountEnabledRaw, ok := d.GetOk("maintain_stored_certificate_counts"); ok {
+		config.MaintainCount = maintainCountEnabledRaw.(bool)
+	}
+
+	if runningStorageMetricsEnabledRaw, ok := d.GetOk("publish_stored_certificate_count_metrics"); ok {
+		if config.MaintainCount == false {
+			return logical.ErrorResponse("Can not publish a running storage metrics count to metrics without first maintaining that count.  Enable `maintain_stored_certificate_counts` to enable `publish_stored_certificate_count_metrics."), nil
+		}
+		config.PublishMetrics = runningStorageMetricsEnabledRaw.(bool)
+	}
+
 	if err := sc.writeAutoTidyConfig(config); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -1224,7 +1248,7 @@ func (b *backend) tidyStatusIncCertStoreCount() {
 
 	b.tidyStatus.certStoreDeletedCount++
 
-	b.decrementTotalCertificatesCountReport()
+	b.ifCountEnabledDecrementTotalCertificatesCountReport()
 }
 
 func (b *backend) tidyStatusIncRevokedCertCount() {
@@ -1233,7 +1257,7 @@ func (b *backend) tidyStatusIncRevokedCertCount() {
 
 	b.tidyStatus.revokedCertDeletedCount++
 
-	b.decrementTotalRevokedCertificatesCountReport()
+	b.ifCountEnabledDecrementTotalRevokedCertificatesCountReport()
 }
 
 func (b *backend) tidyStatusIncMissingIssuerCertCount() {
diff --git a/builtin/logical/pki/path_tidy_test.go b/builtin/logical/pki/path_tidy_test.go
index 45d3d3a6a5e7..29292fbd329b 100644
--- a/builtin/logical/pki/path_tidy_test.go
+++ b/builtin/logical/pki/path_tidy_test.go
@@ -2,9 +2,15 @@ package pki
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers"
+
+	"github.com/armon/go-metrics"
+
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/api"
 	vaulthttp "github.com/hashicorp/vault/http"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/logical"
@@ -405,3 +411,338 @@ func TestTidyIssuerConfig(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, true, resp.Data["tidy_expired_issuers"])
 	require.Equal(t, 5, resp.Data["issuer_safety_buffer"])
 }
+
+// TestCertStorageMetrics ensures that when enabled, metrics are able to count the number of certificates in storage and
+// number of revoked certificates in storage.  Moreover, this test ensures that the gauge is emitted periodically, so
+// that the metric does not disappear or go stale.
+func TestCertStorageMetrics(t *testing.T) {
+	// This tests uses the same setup as TestAutoTidy
+	newPeriod := 1 * time.Second
+
+	// We set up a metrics accumulator
+	inmemSink := metrics.NewInmemSink(
+		2*newPeriod, // A short time period is ideal here to test metrics are emitted every periodic func
+		2000000*time.Hour)
+
+	metricsConf := metrics.DefaultConfig("")
+	metricsConf.EnableHostname = false
+	metricsConf.EnableHostnameLabel = false
+	metricsConf.EnableServiceLabel = false
+	metricsConf.EnableTypePrefix = false
+
+	_, err := metrics.NewGlobal(metricsConf, inmemSink)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	// This test requires the periodicFunc to trigger, which requires we stand
+	// up a full test cluster.
+	coreConfig := &vault.CoreConfig{
+		LogicalBackends: map[string]logical.Factory{
+			"pki": Factory,
+		},
+		// See notes below about usage of /sys/raw for reading cluster
+		// storage without barrier encryption.
+		EnableRaw:      true,
+		RollbackPeriod: newPeriod,
+	}
+	cluster := vault.NewTestCluster(t, coreConfig, &vault.TestClusterOptions{
+		HandlerFunc: vaulthttp.Handler,
+	})
+	cluster.Start()
+	defer cluster.Cleanup()
+	client := cluster.Cores[0].Client
+
+	// Mount PKI
+	err = client.Sys().Mount("pki", &api.MountInput{
+		Type: "pki",
+		Config: api.MountConfigInput{
+			DefaultLeaseTTL: "10m",
+			MaxLeaseTTL:     "60m",
+		},
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Generate root.
+	resp, err := client.Logical().Write("pki/root/generate/internal", map[string]interface{}{
+		"ttl":         "40h",
+		"common_name": "Root X1",
+		"key_type":    "ec",
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, resp)
+	require.NotEmpty(t, resp.Data)
+	require.NotEmpty(t, resp.Data["issuer_id"])
+
+	// Set up a testing role.
+	_, err = client.Logical().Write("pki/roles/local-testing", map[string]interface{}{
+		"allow_any_name":    true,
+		"enforce_hostnames": false,
+		"key_type":          "ec",
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Run tidy so that tidy-status is not empty
+	_, err = client.Logical().Write("pki/tidy", map[string]interface{}{
+		"tidy_revoked_certs": true,
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Since certificate counts are off by default, we shouldn't see counts in the tidy status
+	tidyStatus, err := client.Logical().Read("pki/tidy-status")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// backendUUID should exist, we need this for metrics
+	backendUUID := tidyStatus.Data["internal_backend_uuid"].(string)
+	// "current_cert_store_count", "current_revoked_cert_count"
+	countData, ok := tidyStatus.Data["current_cert_store_count"]
+	if ok && countData != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Certificate counting should be off by default, but current cert store count %v appeared in tidy status in unconfigured mount", countData)
+	}
+	revokedCountData, ok := tidyStatus.Data["current_revoked_cert_count"]
+	if ok && revokedCountData != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Certificate counting should be off by default, but revoked cert count %v appeared in tidy status in unconfigured mount", revokedCountData)
+	}
+
+	// Since certificate counts are off by default, those metrics should not exist yet
+	mostRecentInterval := inmemSink.Data()[len(inmemSink.Data())-1]
+	_, ok = mostRecentInterval.Gauges["secrets.pki."+backendUUID+".total_revoked_certificates_stored"]
+	if ok {
+		t.Fatalf("Certificate counting should be off by default, but revoked cert count was emitted as a metric in an unconfigured mount")
+	}
+	_, ok = mostRecentInterval.Gauges["secrets.pki."+backendUUID+".total_certificates_stored"]
+	if ok {
+		t.Fatalf("Certificate counting should be off by default, but total certificate count was emitted as a metric in an unconfigured mount")
+	}
+
+	// Write the auto-tidy config.
+	_, err = client.Logical().Write("pki/config/auto-tidy", map[string]interface{}{
+		"enabled":                                  true,
+		"interval_duration":                        "1s",
+		"tidy_cert_store":                          true,
+		"tidy_revoked_certs":                       true,
+		"safety_buffer":                            "1s",
+		"maintain_stored_certificate_counts":       true,
+		"publish_stored_certificate_count_metrics": false,
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Reload the Mount - Otherwise Stored Certificate Counts Will Not Be Populated
+	_, err = client.Logical().Write("/sys/plugins/reload/backend", map[string]interface{}{
+		"plugin": "pki",
+	})
+
+	// By reading the auto-tidy endpoint, we ensure that initialize has completed (which has a write lock on auto-tidy)
+	_, err = client.Logical().Read("/pki/config/auto-tidy")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	// Since publish_stored_certificate_count_metrics is still false, these metrics should still not exist yet
+	mostRecentInterval = inmemSink.Data()[len(inmemSink.Data())-1]
+	_, ok = mostRecentInterval.Gauges["secrets.pki."+backendUUID+".total_revoked_certificates_stored"]
+	if ok {
+		t.Fatalf("Certificate counting should be off by default, but revoked cert count was emitted as a metric in an unconfigured mount")
+	}
+	_, ok = mostRecentInterval.Gauges["secrets.pki."+backendUUID+".total_certificates_stored"]
+	if ok {
+		t.Fatalf("Certificate counting should be off by default, but total certificate count was emitted as a metric in an unconfigured mount")
+	}
+
+	// But since certificate counting is on, the metrics should exist on tidyStatus endpoint:
+	tidyStatus, err = client.Logical().Read("pki/tidy-status")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	// backendUUID should exist, we need this for metrics
+	backendUUID = tidyStatus.Data["internal_backend_uuid"].(string)
+	// "current_cert_store_count", "current_revoked_cert_count"
+	certStoreCount, ok := tidyStatus.Data["current_cert_store_count"]
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("Certificate counting has been turned on, but current cert store count does not appear in tidy status")
+	}
+	if certStoreCount != json.Number("1") {
+		t.Fatalf("Only created one certificate, but a got a certificate count of %v", certStoreCount)
+	}
+	revokedCertCount, ok := tidyStatus.Data["current_revoked_cert_count"]
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("Certificate counting has been turned on, but revoked cert store count does not appear in tidy status")
+	}
+	if revokedCertCount != json.Number("0") {
+		t.Fatalf("Have not yet revoked a certificate, but got a revoked cert store count of %v", revokedCertCount)
+	}
+
+	// Write the auto-tidy config, again, this time turning on metrics
+	_, err = client.Logical().Write("pki/config/auto-tidy", map[string]interface{}{
+		"enabled":                                  true,
+		"interval_duration":                        "1s",
+		"tidy_cert_store":                          true,
+		"tidy_revoked_certs":                       true,
+		"safety_buffer":                            "1s",
+		"maintain_stored_certificate_counts":       true,
+		"publish_stored_certificate_count_metrics": true,
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Issue a cert and revoke it.
+	resp, err = client.Logical().Write("pki/issue/local-testing", map[string]interface{}{
+		"common_name": "example.com",
+		"ttl":         "10s",
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, resp)
+	require.NotNil(t, resp.Data)
+	require.NotEmpty(t, resp.Data["serial_number"])
+	require.NotEmpty(t, resp.Data["certificate"])
+	leafSerial := resp.Data["serial_number"].(string)
+	leafCert := parseCert(t, resp.Data["certificate"].(string))
+
+	// Read cert before revoking
+	resp, err = client.Logical().Read("pki/cert/" + leafSerial)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, resp)
+	require.NotNil(t, resp.Data)
+	require.NotEmpty(t, resp.Data["certificate"])
+	revocationTime, err := (resp.Data["revocation_time"].(json.Number)).Int64()
+	require.Equal(t, int64(0), revocationTime, "revocation time was not zero")
+	require.Empty(t, resp.Data["revocation_time_rfc3339"], "revocation_time_rfc3339 was not empty")
+	require.Empty(t, resp.Data["issuer_id"], "issuer_id was not empty")
+
+	_, err = client.Logical().Write("pki/revoke", map[string]interface{}{
+		"serial_number": leafSerial,
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// We read the auto-tidy endpoint again, to ensure any metrics logic has completed (lock on config)
+	_, err = client.Logical().Read("/pki/config/auto-tidy")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	// Check Metrics After Cert Has Be Created and Revoked
+	tidyStatus, err = client.Logical().Read("pki/tidy-status")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	backendUUID = tidyStatus.Data["internal_backend_uuid"].(string)
+	certStoreCount, ok = tidyStatus.Data["current_cert_store_count"]
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("Certificate counting has been turned on, but current cert store count does not appear in tidy status")
+	}
+	if certStoreCount != json.Number("2") {
+		t.Fatalf("Created root and leaf certificate, but a got a certificate count of %v", certStoreCount)
+	}
+	revokedCertCount, ok = tidyStatus.Data["current_revoked_cert_count"]
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("Certificate counting has been turned on, but revoked cert store count does not appear in tidy status")
+	}
+	if revokedCertCount != json.Number("1") {
+		t.Fatalf("Revoked one certificate, but got a revoked cert store count of %v", revokedCertCount)
+	}
+	// This should now be initialized
+	certCountError, ok := tidyStatus.Data["certificate_counting_error"]
+	if ok && certCountError.(string) != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected certificate count error to disappear after initialization, but got error %v", certCountError)
+	}
+
+	testhelpers.RetryUntil(t, newPeriod*5, func() error {
+		mostRecentInterval = inmemSink.Data()[len(inmemSink.Data())-1]
+		revokedCertCountGaugeValue, ok := mostRecentInterval.Gauges["secrets.pki."+backendUUID+".total_revoked_certificates_stored"]
+		if !ok {
+			return errors.New("turned on metrics, but revoked cert count was not emitted")
+		}
+		if revokedCertCountGaugeValue.Value != 1 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("revoked one certificate, but metrics emitted a revoked cert store count of %v", revokedCertCountGaugeValue)
+		}
+		certStoreCountGaugeValue, ok := mostRecentInterval.Gauges["secrets.pki."+backendUUID+".total_certificates_stored"]
+		if !ok {
+			return errors.New("turned on metrics, but total certificate count was not emitted")
+		}
+		if certStoreCountGaugeValue.Value != 2 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("stored two certificiates, but total certificate count emitted was %v", certStoreCountGaugeValue.Value)
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
+	// Wait for cert to expire and the safety buffer to elapse.
+	time.Sleep(time.Until(leafCert.NotAfter) + 3*time.Second)
+
+	// Wait for auto-tidy to run afterwards.
+	var foundTidyRunning string
+	var foundTidyFinished bool
+	timeoutChan := time.After(120 * time.Second)
+	for {
+		if foundTidyRunning != "" && foundTidyFinished {
+			break
+		}
+
+		select {
+		case <-timeoutChan:
+			t.Fatalf("expected auto-tidy to run (%v) and finish (%v) before 120 seconds elapsed", foundTidyRunning, foundTidyFinished)
+		default:
+			time.Sleep(250 * time.Millisecond)
+
+			resp, err = client.Logical().Read("pki/tidy-status")
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			require.NotNil(t, resp)
+			require.NotNil(t, resp.Data)
+			require.NotEmpty(t, resp.Data["state"])
+			require.NotEmpty(t, resp.Data["time_started"])
+			state := resp.Data["state"].(string)
+			started := resp.Data["time_started"].(string)
+			t.Logf("Resp: %v", resp.Data)
+
+			// We want the _next_ tidy run after the cert expires. This
+			// means if we're currently finished when we hit this the
+			// first time, we want to wait for the next run.
+			if foundTidyRunning == "" {
+				foundTidyRunning = started
+			} else if foundTidyRunning != started && !foundTidyFinished && state == "Finished" {
+				foundTidyFinished = true
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// After Tidy, Cert Store Count Should Still Be Available, and Be Updated:
+	// Check Metrics After Cert Has Be Created and Revoked
+	tidyStatus, err = client.Logical().Read("pki/tidy-status")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	backendUUID = tidyStatus.Data["internal_backend_uuid"].(string)
+	// "current_cert_store_count", "current_revoked_cert_count"
+	certStoreCount, ok = tidyStatus.Data["current_cert_store_count"]
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("Certificate counting has been turned on, but current cert store count does not appear in tidy status")
+	}
+	if certStoreCount != json.Number("1") {
+		t.Fatalf("Created root and leaf certificate, deleted leaf, but a got a certificate count of %v", certStoreCount)
+	}
+	revokedCertCount, ok = tidyStatus.Data["current_revoked_cert_count"]
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("Certificate counting has been turned on, but revoked cert store count does not appear in tidy status")
+	}
+	if revokedCertCount != json.Number("0") {
+		t.Fatalf("Revoked certificate has been tidied, but got a revoked cert store count of %v", revokedCertCount)
+	}
+
+	testhelpers.RetryUntil(t, newPeriod*5, func() error {
+		mostRecentInterval = inmemSink.Data()[len(inmemSink.Data())-1]
+		revokedCertCountGaugeValue, ok := mostRecentInterval.Gauges["secrets.pki."+backendUUID+".total_revoked_certificates_stored"]
+		if !ok {
+			return errors.New("turned on metrics, but revoked cert count was not emitted")
+		}
+		if revokedCertCountGaugeValue.Value != 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("revoked certificate has been tidied, but metrics emitted a revoked cert store count of %v", revokedCertCountGaugeValue)
+		}
+		certStoreCountGaugeValue, ok := mostRecentInterval.Gauges["secrets.pki."+backendUUID+".total_certificates_stored"]
+		if !ok {
+			return errors.New("turned on metrics, but total certificate count was not emitted")
+		}
+		if certStoreCountGaugeValue.Value != 1 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("only one of two certificates left after tidy, but total certificate count emitted was %v", certStoreCountGaugeValue.Value)
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+}
diff --git a/builtin/logical/pki/storage.go b/builtin/logical/pki/storage.go
index f098f5835864..aee1ce7f1623 100644
--- a/builtin/logical/pki/storage.go
+++ b/builtin/logical/pki/storage.go
@@ -1351,7 +1351,33 @@ func (sc *storageContext) writeAutoTidyConfig(config *tidyConfig) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	return sc.Storage.Put(sc.Context, entry)
+	err = sc.Storage.Put(sc.Context, entry)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	sc.Backend.publishCertCountMetrics.Store(config.PublishMetrics)
+
+	// To Potentially Disable Certificate Counting
+	if config.MaintainCount == false {
+		certCountWasEnabled := sc.Backend.certCountEnabled.Swap(config.MaintainCount)
+		if certCountWasEnabled {
+			sc.Backend.certsCounted.Store(true)
+			sc.Backend.certCountError = "Cert Count is Disabled: enable via Tidy Config maintain_stored_certificate_counts"
+			sc.Backend.possibleDoubleCountedSerials = nil        // This won't stop a list operation, but will stop an expensive clean-up during initialize
+			sc.Backend.possibleDoubleCountedRevokedSerials = nil // This won't stop a list operation, but will stop an expensive clean-up during initialize
+			sc.Backend.certCount.Store(0)
+			sc.Backend.revokedCertCount.Store(0)
+		}
+	} else { // To Potentially Enable Certificate Counting
+		if sc.Backend.certCountEnabled.Load() == false {
+			// We haven't written "re-enable certificate counts" outside the initialize function
+			// Any call derived call to do so is likely to time out on ~2 million certs
+			sc.Backend.certCountError = "Certificate Counting Has Not Been Initialized, re-initialize this mount"
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
 }
 
 func (sc *storageContext) listRevokedCerts() ([]string, error) {
diff --git a/changelog/18186.txt b/changelog/18186.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..13710826284e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog/18186.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+```release-note:breaking-change
+secrets/pki: Maintaining running count of certificates will be turned off by default.
+To re-enable keeping these metrics available on the tidy status endpoint, enable
+maintain_stored_certificate_counts on tidy-config, to also publish them to the
+metrics consumer, enable publish_stored_certificate_count_metrics .
+```
\ No newline at end of file