diff --git a/specification/metrics/semantic_conventions/http-metrics.md b/specification/metrics/semantic_conventions/http-metrics.md
index dd1c622e649..5a2a058b7f8 100644
--- a/specification/metrics/semantic_conventions/http-metrics.md
+++ b/specification/metrics/semantic_conventions/http-metrics.md
@@ -37,7 +37,8 @@ This metric is required.
 
 **[1]:** If `net.transport` is not specified, it can be assumed to be `IP.TCP` except if `http.flavor` is `QUIC`, in which case `IP.UDP` is assumed.
 
-**[2]:** 'http.route' MUST NOT be populated when this is not supported by the HTTP server framework as the route attribute should have low-cardinality and the URI path can NOT substitute it.
+**[2]:** MUST NOT be populated when this is not supported by the HTTP server framework as the route attribute should have low-cardinality and the URI path can NOT substitute it.
+SHOULD include the [application root](#http-server-definitions) if there is one.
 
 **[3]:** Determined by using the first of the following that applies
 
@@ -123,7 +124,8 @@ This metric is optional.
 
 **[1]:** If `net.transport` is not specified, it can be assumed to be `IP.TCP` except if `http.flavor` is `QUIC`, in which case `IP.UDP` is assumed.
 
-**[2]:** 'http.route' MUST NOT be populated when this is not supported by the HTTP server framework as the route attribute should have low-cardinality and the URI path can NOT substitute it.
+**[2]:** MUST NOT be populated when this is not supported by the HTTP server framework as the route attribute should have low-cardinality and the URI path can NOT substitute it.
+SHOULD include the [application root](#http-server-definitions) if there is one.
 
 **[3]:** Determined by using the first of the following that applies
 
@@ -168,7 +170,8 @@ This metric is optional.
 
 **[1]:** If `net.transport` is not specified, it can be assumed to be `IP.TCP` except if `http.flavor` is `QUIC`, in which case `IP.UDP` is assumed.
 
-**[2]:** 'http.route' MUST NOT be populated when this is not supported by the HTTP server framework as the route attribute should have low-cardinality and the URI path can NOT substitute it.
+**[2]:** MUST NOT be populated when this is not supported by the HTTP server framework as the route attribute should have low-cardinality and the URI path can NOT substitute it.
+SHOULD include the [application root](#http-server-definitions) if there is one.
 
 **[3]:** Determined by using the first of the following that applies