diff --git a/core/java/android/view/ScaleGestureDetector.java b/core/java/android/view/ScaleGestureDetector.java
index bcb8800621e15..7d896809de646 100644
--- a/core/java/android/view/ScaleGestureDetector.java
+++ b/core/java/android/view/ScaleGestureDetector.java
@@ -137,6 +137,7 @@ public class ScaleGestureDetector {
     private long mPrevTime;
     private boolean mInProgress;
     private int mSpanSlop;
+    private int mMinSpan;
 
     /**
      * Consistency verifier for debugging purposes.
@@ -149,6 +150,8 @@ public class ScaleGestureDetector {
         mContext = context;
         mListener = listener;
         mSpanSlop = ViewConfiguration.get(context).getScaledTouchSlop() * 2;
+        mMinSpan = context.getResources().getDimensionPixelSize(
+                com.android.internal.R.dimen.config_minScalingSpan);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -209,8 +212,12 @@ public class ScaleGestureDetector {
         float devSumX = 0, devSumY = 0;
         for (int i = 0; i < count; i++) {
             if (skipIndex == i) continue;
-            devSumX += Math.abs(event.getX(i) - focusX);
-            devSumY += Math.abs(event.getY(i) - focusY);
+
+            // touchMajor/Minor are axes of an ellipse; average them together and
+            // convert the resulting 'diameter' into a radius.
+            final float touchSize = (event.getTouchMajor(i) + event.getTouchMinor(i)) / 4;
+            devSumX += Math.abs(event.getX(i) - focusX) + touchSize;
+            devSumY += Math.abs(event.getY(i) - focusY) + touchSize;
         }
         final float devX = devSumX / div;
         final float devY = devSumY / div;
@@ -228,7 +235,7 @@ public class ScaleGestureDetector {
         final boolean wasInProgress = mInProgress;
         mFocusX = focusX;
         mFocusY = focusY;
-        if (mInProgress && (span == 0 || configChanged)) {
+        if (mInProgress && (span < mMinSpan || configChanged)) {
             mListener.onScaleEnd(this);
             mInProgress = false;
             mInitialSpan = span;
@@ -238,7 +245,7 @@ public class ScaleGestureDetector {
             mPrevSpanY = mCurrSpanY = spanY;
             mInitialSpan = mPrevSpan = mCurrSpan = span;
         }
-        if (!mInProgress && span != 0 &&
+        if (!mInProgress && span > mMinSpan &&
                 (wasInProgress || Math.abs(span - mInitialSpan) > mSpanSlop)) {
             mPrevSpanX = mCurrSpanX = spanX;
             mPrevSpanY = mCurrSpanY = spanY;
diff --git a/core/res/res/values/config.xml b/core/res/res/values/config.xml
index 7895489257798..c97c2140704ae 100755
--- a/core/res/res/values/config.xml
+++ b/core/res/res/values/config.xml
@@ -925,4 +925,10 @@
 
     <!--  Maximum number of supported users -->
     <integer name="config_multiuserMaximumUsers">1</integer>
+
+    <!-- Minimum span needed to begin a touch scaling gesture.
+         This also takes into account the size of any active touch points.
+         Devices with screens that deviate too far from their assigned density
+         bucket should consider tuning this value in a device-specific overlay. -->
+    <dimen name="config_minScalingSpan">25mm</dimen>
 </resources>
diff --git a/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml b/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
index adeced7b95c50..d4e82b5b616aa 100644
--- a/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
+++ b/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
@@ -1112,6 +1112,8 @@
   <java-symbol type="layout" name="media_route_list_item_collapse_group" />
   <java-symbol type="string" name="bluetooth_a2dp_audio_route_name" />
 
+  <java-symbol type="dimen" name="config_minScalingSpan" />
+
   <!-- From android.policy -->
   <java-symbol type="anim" name="app_starting_exit" />
   <java-symbol type="anim" name="lock_screen_behind_enter" />