Gesture recognition is described. In one example, gestures performed by a user of an input device having a touch-sensitive portion are detected using a definition of a number of regions corresponding to zones on the touch-sensitive portion, each region being associated with a distinct set of gestures. Data describing movement of the user's digits on the touch-sensitive portion is received, and an associated region for the data determined. The data is compared to the associated region's set of gestures, and a gesture applicable to the data selected. A command associated with the selected gesture can then be executed. In an example, comparing the data to the set of gestures comprises positioning a threshold for each gesture relative to the start of the digit's movement. The digit's location is compared to each threshold to determine whether a threshold has been crossed, and, if so, selecting the gesture associated with that threshold.