why aren't contacts on my iphone not on my mac

Try going to iCloud.com using a computer to see if the items are there and whether they are from the device or the computer. That should show whether the device or the computer isn't syncing. If the computer, try going to System Preferences/iCloud and stop syncing. Wait a couple of minutes, then recheck syncing. If the device, go to Settings/Your Name/iCloud and do the above. As a last resort, you can also try signing out of iCloud and then sign in again.

Hello and welcome to Apple Support Communities, cgaryk.
If I understand your post correctly, you're trying to sync your contacts from your iPhone to your Mac. I'd like to help.
iCloud makes syncing contacts really easy. Just follow these steps:
Keep your contacts up to date on all of your devices with iCloud
Let us know if that resolves this issue for you.
Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. Take care.