A fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) platform for the detection of ozone was developed by combining the overlap of the fluorescence spectrum of Ru(bpy)3(2+)-doped silica nanoparticles with the absorption spectrum of indigo carmine at around 600 nm. This FRET system can be used to detect ozone simply within 10 min. Simple qualitative ozone detection methods using cotton swabs or paper were also developed.