diff --git a/esphome/components/openthread/__init__.py b/esphome/components/openthread/__init__.py
index 65138e28c7..25e3153d1b 100644
--- a/esphome/components/openthread/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/openthread/__init__.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from esphome.const import CONF_CHANNEL, CONF_ENABLE_IPV6, CONF_ID
 import esphome.final_validate as fv
 
 from .const import (
+    CONF_DEVICE_TYPE,
     CONF_EXT_PAN_ID,
     CONF_FORCE_DATASET,
     CONF_MDNS_ID,
@@ -32,6 +33,11 @@ AUTO_LOAD = ["network"]
 CONFLICTS_WITH = ["wifi"]
 DEPENDENCIES = ["esp32"]
 
+CONF_DEVICE_TYPES = [
+    "FTD",
+    "MTD",
+]
+
 
 def set_sdkconfig_options(config):
     # and expose options for using SPI/UART RCPs
@@ -82,7 +88,7 @@ def set_sdkconfig_options(config):
     add_idf_sdkconfig_option("CONFIG_OPENTHREAD_SRP_CLIENT_MAX_SERVICES", 5)
 
     # TODO: Add suport for sleepy end devices
-    add_idf_sdkconfig_option("CONFIG_OPENTHREAD_FTD", True)  # Full Thread Device
+    add_idf_sdkconfig_option(f"CONFIG_OPENTHREAD_{config.get(CONF_DEVICE_TYPE)}", True)
 
 
 openthread_ns = cg.esphome_ns.namespace("openthread")
@@ -107,6 +113,9 @@ CONFIG_SCHEMA = cv.All(
             cv.GenerateID(): cv.declare_id(OpenThreadComponent),
             cv.GenerateID(CONF_SRP_ID): cv.declare_id(OpenThreadSrpComponent),
             cv.GenerateID(CONF_MDNS_ID): cv.use_id(MDNSComponent),
+            cv.Optional(CONF_DEVICE_TYPE, default="FTD"): cv.one_of(
+                *CONF_DEVICE_TYPES, upper=True
+            ),
             cv.Optional(CONF_FORCE_DATASET): cv.boolean,
             cv.Optional(CONF_TLV): cv.string_strict,
         }
diff --git a/esphome/components/openthread/const.py b/esphome/components/openthread/const.py
index 7837e69eea..7a6ffb2df4 100644
--- a/esphome/components/openthread/const.py
+++ b/esphome/components/openthread/const.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+CONF_DEVICE_TYPE = "device_type"
 CONF_EXT_PAN_ID = "ext_pan_id"
 CONF_FORCE_DATASET = "force_dataset"
 CONF_MDNS_ID = "mdns_id"
diff --git a/tests/components/openthread/test.esp32-c6-idf.yaml b/tests/components/openthread/test.esp32-c6-idf.yaml
index f53b323bec..bbcf48efa5 100644
--- a/tests/components/openthread/test.esp32-c6-idf.yaml
+++ b/tests/components/openthread/test.esp32-c6-idf.yaml
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ network:
   enable_ipv6: true
 
 openthread:
+  device_type: FTD
   channel: 13
   network_name: OpenThread-8f28
   network_key: 0xdfd34f0f05cad978ec4e32b0413038ff