From 1989 through 1996, the total area of the US was listed as 9,372,610 km2 (3,618,780 sq mi) (land + inland water only). The listed total area changed to 9,629,091 km2 (3,717,813 sq mi) in 1997 (Great Lakes area and coastal waters added), to 9,631,418 km2 (3,718,711 sq mi) in 2004, to 9,631,420 km2 (3,718,710 sq mi) in 2006, and to 9,826,630 km2 (3,794,080 sq mi) in 2007 (territorial waters added). Currently, the CIA World Factbook gives 9,826,675 km2 (3,794,100 sq mi), the United Nations Statistics Division gives 9,629,091 km2 (3,717,813 sq mi), and the Encyclopædia Britannica gives 9,522,055 km2 (3,676,486 sq mi)(Great Lakes area included but not coastal waters). These source consider only the 50 states and the Federal District, and exclude overseas territories. 

By total area (water as well as land), the United States is either slightly larger or smaller than the People's Republic of China, making it the world's third or fourth largest country. China and the United States are smaller than Russia and Canada in total area, but are larger than Brazil. By land area only (exclusive of waters), the United States is the world's third largest country, after Russia and China, with Canada in fourth. Whether the US or China is the third largest country by total area depends on two factors: (1) The validity of China's claim on Aksai Chin and Trans-Karakoram Tract. Both these territories are also claimed by India, so are not counted; and (2) How US calculates its own surface area. Since the initial publishing of the World Factbook, the CIA has updated the total area of United States a number of times.
Is the US larger than China?
Is it larger than Russia?
How does the US rank in size with land only?
Who is larger than US?
What was the US total area listed as in 1992?
what areas did that include?
what did the area change to when they added the Great Lakes and Coastal water?
when was that?
What did they add later on?
when?
what did that bring the total area to?
Which source currently lists the US area the largest amount?
what does it list?
which source lists the smallest area?
what is it?
are there any other sources?
how much does it list?
which source includes the overseas territories?
how many areas' claim is disputed?
what are they?
which 2 areas are disputed by 2 nations claiming them?
which 2 nations disagree on claim?
Maybe according to how it is measured
the United States is either slightly larger or smaller than the People's Republic of China
No
 China and the United States are smaller than Russia and Canada in total area, but are larger than Brazi
third largest country
 By land area only (exclusive of waters), the United States is the world's third largest country
Russia and China
after Russia and China, with Canada in fourth
9,372,610 km2
9,372,610 km2
land + inland water only
(land + inland water only)
9,629,091 km2
9,629,091 km2
1997
1997
territorial waters
territorial waters 
2007
2007
9,826,630 km2
9,826,630 km2
CIA World Factbook
 CIA World Factbook gives 9,826,675 km2 (3,794,100 sq mi)
9,826,675 km2
9,826,675 km2
Encyclopædia Britannica
Encyclopædia Britannica
9,522,055 km2
9,522,055 km2
United Nations Statistics Division
he United Nations Statistics Division
9,629,091 km2
9,629,091 km2
None
 These source consider only the 50 states and the Federal District, and exclude overseas territories. 
Two
 (1) The validity of China's claim on Aksai Chin and Trans-Karakoram Tract. Both these territories are also claimed by India, so are not counted; and (2) How US calculates its own surface area. Since the initial publishing of the World Factbook, the CIA has updated the total area of United States a number of times.
China's territory claim and how the US calculates its own surface area.
(1) The validity of China's claim on Aksai Chin and Trans-Karakoram Tract. Both these territories are also claimed by India, so are not counted; and (2) How US calculates its own surface area. Since the initial publishing of the World Factbook, the CIA has updated the total area of United States a number of times.
Aksai Chin and Trans-Karakoram Tract
Aksai Chin and Trans-Karakoram Tract
China and India
China's claim on Aksai Chin and Trans-Karakoram Tract. Both these territories are also claimed by India