This study presents two observation-based global monthly mean dust aerosol optical depth (DAOD) climatological datasets derived from 2007 to 2019 using CALIOP and MODIS observations. The datasets have a spatial resolution of 2° (latitude) × 5° (longitude). The CALIOP dataset includes dust vertical extinction profiles, while the MODIS dataset uses particle size, shape, and absorption information to distinguish dust from non-dust aerosols. Both datasets show good agreement with previous studies and collocated AERONET coarse-mode AOD. The global annual mean DAOD is 0.032 (CALIOP) and 0.067 (MODIS) over the globe (60° S–60° N). In most dust-active regions, CALIOP DAOD correlates well with MODIS DAOD, although CALIOP values are generally smaller. The CALIOP DAOD is 18–54% smaller than MODIS DAOD over different regions. Using a regional-specific lidar ratio reduces the difference. Despite discrepancies, both datasets show similar seasonal and interannual variations in regional DAOD. Over eastern Asia and the northwestern Pacific Ocean, the datasets show weak correlation. Both datasets show a declining trend in DAOD over the southern Gobi Desert, consistent with observed trends. The decreasing DAOD is correlated with increasing vegetation and decreasing surface wind speed. The study highlights the importance of understanding dust climatology for modeling and climate studies. The results provide insights into the spatial and temporal variability of dust aerosols and their impacts on the Earth system.This study presents two observation-based global monthly mean dust aerosol optical depth (DAOD) climatological datasets derived from 2007 to 2019 using CALIOP and MODIS observations. The datasets have a spatial resolution of 2° (latitude) × 5° (longitude). The CALIOP dataset includes dust vertical extinction profiles, while the MODIS dataset uses particle size, shape, and absorption information to distinguish dust from non-dust aerosols. Both datasets show good agreement with previous studies and collocated AERONET coarse-mode AOD. The global annual mean DAOD is 0.032 (CALIOP) and 0.067 (MODIS) over the globe (60° S–60° N). In most dust-active regions, CALIOP DAOD correlates well with MODIS DAOD, although CALIOP values are generally smaller. The CALIOP DAOD is 18–54% smaller than MODIS DAOD over different regions. Using a regional-specific lidar ratio reduces the difference. Despite discrepancies, both datasets show similar seasonal and interannual variations in regional DAOD. Over eastern Asia and the northwestern Pacific Ocean, the datasets show weak correlation. Both datasets show a declining trend in DAOD over the southern Gobi Desert, consistent with observed trends. The decreasing DAOD is correlated with increasing vegetation and decreasing surface wind speed. The study highlights the importance of understanding dust climatology for modeling and climate studies. The results provide insights into the spatial and temporal variability of dust aerosols and their impacts on the Earth system.