The generation of gestures tailored to a hand resting on a mouse surface is disclosed. Gestures to be made on the mouse surface can be generated based on the natural pose of a hand resting on the mouse surface so that the gestures are comfortable. Fingers that are appropriately posed on the mouse surface to make a gesture can be identified for that gesture. Alternatively, gestures to be made on the mouse surface can be generated based on a user's preference. The user can identify the fingers that the user wishes to use to make a gesture.