diff --git a/region.cpp b/region.cpp
index 7e956483..c50239e4 100644
--- a/region.cpp
+++ b/region.cpp
@@ -108,6 +108,16 @@ region<T>::includes (const point &p) const {
 }
 
 
+template <typename T>
+bool
+region<T>::contains (const point& p) const {
+    return p.x > x &&
+           p.y > y &&
+           p.x < x + width &&
+           p.y < y + height;
+}
+
+
 template <typename T>
 bool
 region<T>::overlaps (const region<T> &rhs) const {
diff --git a/region.hpp b/region.hpp
index 83987967..788ec277 100644
--- a/region.hpp
+++ b/region.hpp
@@ -57,7 +57,8 @@ namespace util {
         T    area  (void) const;
         bool empty (void) const;
 
-        bool includes (const point&) const;
+        bool includes (const point&) const; // inclusive of borders
+        bool contains (const point&) const; // exclusive of borders
         bool overlaps (const region<T>&) const;
 
         bool operator ==(const region<T>& rhs) const;