Herein we used orientation and distance dependence of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to analyze the binding of nucleosides to a gapped DNA duplex. Binding isotherms and information on the structures of the complexes were obtained by monitoring FRET between pyrene and perylene, which were introduced into the DNA through D-threoninol. FRET efficiency significantly changed upon formation of a duplex with a 1-nucleotide gap and a nucleoside. The FRET plot indicated that the complex has a double helical structure similar to a nicked duplex. Cooperative binding of two nucleosides to a duplex with a 2-nucleotide gap was also revealed using FRET. Various drug-nucleic acids interactions could be investigated using this sensitive and facile method.