Q: If i upload photos to iCloud can i delete from my mac?

If you upload from photos your iCloud Photo Library,  then deleting the photo on any device that is syncing with iCloud Photo Library will delete them in iCloud as well.

If you upload using the web interface at www.cloud.com, you can delete the file you uploaded to iCloud Photo Library after the upload finishes.  But keep backup copies on a backup drive.

no

iCloud is not a place to store photos except in iCloud Drive

You do not tell what iCloud service you are using but neither iCloud Photos Library nor MyPhotoStream are ways to store photos - iCloud Photos library is a cloud based library and every change made by any device is made to all devices including d=edits, deletions and additions - MyPhotoStream is a streaming service to move photos between devices

iCloud Drive is a pace to store file which could include photos and then you can download from other devices - but you can not view the photos there - you have to download and import them to use them

LN

Larry, the question title HT204264 links to the iCloud Photo Library FAQ. So it is reasonable to assume, that the question is about iCloud Photo Library.

HT204264: iCloud Photo Library FAQ

Learn about iCloud Photo Library FAQ

So it is reasonable to assume

IN my experience in ASC I find the inverse  of that statement to be true - I find it is  always unreasonable to assume anything - very often the reason that the OP is having a problem is simply because they are assuming things and are wrong - therefore I prefer to get specific details - To each their own

LN