Use Space or View to add a specific amount of space. For 30 vertical density pixels:
<Space
android:layout_width="1dp"
android:layout_height="30dp"/>
If you need a flexible space-filler, use View between items in a LinearLayout:
<View
android:layout_width="1dp"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:layout_weight="1"/>
or
<View
android:layout_width="1dp"
android:layout_height="0dp"
android:layout_weight="1"/>
This works for most layouts for API 14 & later, except widgets (use FrameLayout instead).
[Updated 9/2014 to use Space. Hat tip to @Sean]