how to upgrade from a mac os x el captain

Wether you can update, and what you can update specifically will depend on the model / year of Mac you have.

Go to Apple Menu ➜ About This Mac, to find out.

You can download available macOS updates from here ➡️ How to download macOS - Apple Support

The model year of an iMac is available at Apple menu > About This Mac.

An early 2009 iMac can be upgraded to El Capitan 10.11.6 but no later version. See: How to download macOS - Apple Support

A late 2009 through mid 2011 iMac can be upgraded to High Sierra 10.13.6 but no later version. See: How to download macOS - Apple Support

A late 2012 through late 2013 iMac can be upgraded to Catalina 10.15.7 but no later. See: How to download macOS - Apple Support

A mid 2014 and late 2014 iMac can be upgraded to the latest version of Big Sur macOS 11 but no later. See: How to download macOS - Apple Support

A late 2015 iMac can be upgraded to the latest version of Monterey macOS 12. See:How to download macOS - Apple Support

A 2017 or later iMac can be upgraded to the current version of Ventura macOS 13. See: How to upgrade to macOS Ventura - Apple Support